Fall bears always have shorter claws than spring bears... But I would not call them short. Pretty easy to look at ADF&G records for their measurements... Hunter is obviously WAY behind the bear. You would win far more bets than you would lose calling bullschit on every claim of 11'... and who ever said bears shrink?
Brent Jones is one of the longest running, most recognized outfits up here. He is usually a pretty good guy and not inclined to much inflation, IME.
