Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Alaska Kodiak Brown Bear HUnt -- First-timer looking for advice

I know they changed the fall peninsula season dates 5 years ago. The outfitter I know near the Katmai was slamming big bears in 15 and 17 but struggled in 19 and 21. His area got the earlier October dates back and his success on big bears rebounded.

I heard Lance lost Aliulik on Kodiak in the 10 year Federal area evaluation. Heard he is appealing. Rost care to share any other info? Pm is okay if you prefer. I'm just a hunter who likes to stay up on Bear hunting in Alaska.

I lived in Alaska for just 23 years, took 4 bb
Myself and involved in 3? others. In those years many of the units were bear every 4 years or like Kodiak draw only. Never got a truly big one, best just under a honest 9’. Killed him with a 300 win mag, 200 grain nosler paritions, shot him twice cause I didn’t want him to get in the alders , though first hit was certainly fatal given s littlle time, he was headed for cover after scrambling to his feet after being shot thru upper part of heart, got lucky and spined him second shot . He still did s little thrashing around, not going anywhere before fully expiring. Don’t think the whole episode lasted more than a short minute, Other three were , one an interior griz killed with 270 in more or less defense of life and property, sheep hunting in the brooks range, 130 grain nosler partitions , shot total of three times for insurances. Other two smallish costal bb around sub 8’ . My first bears, 375h&h 300gr nosler partitions , pretty routine. Only followed up one wounded bear, a buddy hit a huge bear, 10’8” , 28 9/26” on Kodiak island, with 338 win 250 grain nosler twice before the bear got into an alder patch, we could see all around the patch for the most part, so just waited about 30 minutes before going in , we heard what sounded like a death rattle before, so felt we had a dead bear and in fact the bear had only gone about 30 yards before laying down and dying, still pretty tense for a couple green horns. Those bears are magnificent animals, hard to describe one’s feelings after killing one, absolute awe for sure

I agree 100% Mohall57. A true giant brown bear is the pinnacle of North American big game in my opinion.

Hi Phil. Heading there late October this year. Going with Greg Acord. I have a custom .375 Ruger built by LeRoy Barry (Canyon Creek) Defiance rebel SS Action. Handloaded 300 gr TSX. It will be my first time on Kodiak. Can't wait....

Greg used to guide for Scott Mileur for years. Got his own area 10 years ago. Scott speaks very highly of Greg. You are in good hands and should enjoy a great adventure.

Shot my Bear Fall of 2020 on Kodiak, on the wall as a rug 8 1/2 foot. Used a model 70 stainless classic in a 375 H&H with 300gr Barnes TSX, 74.5 gr of RL 15 and fed 215 primer. After I got him I haven't really taking hunting very serious anymore. It was a phenomenal experience with a damn good friend.

Sako, good choice on rifle and guide. You should have a great hunt

Thanks!!!

So, the oft-mentioned Barnes TSX bullets are solid copper?

Ammo can be a little hard to find for the 375 Ruger. Is Buffalo Bore a good brand?

Saw a video not too long ago, man was hunting brownies, handload 338 RUM, primer blew, got stuck in receiver, bolt would not close on new round, killed bear at 15 yards with 454 Casull. Would make me leery of handloads and dangerous game.

I hear ya. Even though I have always loaded my own and my kids' ammo, this is the first time the quarry can bite back. Factory ammo it is.

Yes Sir, the TSX-TTSX-e tips-GMX-etc are mono metal/lead free meaning they are solid copper. I’ve had exceptional, picture perfect performance from the TSX/TTSX and while my experience has not been on brown bears (yet) they are my first choice for all big game. When I finally get my Alaska residency and have the opportunity to hunt brown bear I’ll be using the TSX or TTSX.

Buffalo Bore has a great reputation for producing excellent quality +P ammunition. If it shoots good in your rifle I wouldn’t hesitate to use Buffalo Bore! 👍🏼

I saw that video too and it certainly ramped up the pucker factor. That hunter had great equipment…custom or semi-custom rifle, good optics, good caliber choice, etc. The smallest and most inexpensive component of his entire setup (ammunition) was the weak link and damn near cost him his health. Luckily he had his revolver to bail him out of that situation. 😬

Sounds like he loaded the ammo too hot. Nothing wrong with using reloads, if the person loading them has any sense and isn’t red lining them.

I cannot recall ever using factory ammo on a brown bear...

Loaded my own 375 Ruger 270gr TSX for mine in 2014.

I’ve not taken any animal with factory ammo in nearly 40yrs. Never a problem and the extra satisfaction I’ve had by using my own ammo is worth a lot to me.

Well what do you know...


:P~~~

You got me!

If using factory ammo, I cycle it all through my rifle prior to the hunt to be absolutely sure it will cycle. I pull the firing pin out for safety first.

Noy long ago......I was approaching my bear bait and went to chamber a Federal 338Fed into my 84M and it wouldn't chamber. I backed off and started through my ammo and found a half dozen in that box that wouldn't chamber. Midway just had a sale on 210 NPs and I'm back to reloading again.