Some years ago a friend was forced to shoot a big old spring brown bear back in the mountains when it charged he and his wife. Second oldest bear on record in Alaska at the time, 30 years old. Don't know if it still is.

Not in season, so had to give the hide, etc. up. He was able to purchase it back at auction. Beautiful chocolate unrubbed hide.

I helped skin and pack that hide 8 miles out. The bear died in a snowmelt rivulet. After the pack and a 30 mile drive home, water draining out of the hide all the way, .we weighed my pack.

160 lbs. Wonder what it startd at?...... smile. Good thing there were 3 of us to trade off and help up.

This was on Memorial day weekend. Bear still had 3 inches of fat on him, but his mouth was a mess with loose, missing, and impacted teeth. No wonder he was a grump.

The only true cost of having a dog is its death.