Big Bear Hunting

by
posted on June 8, 2012
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
ot_mind_ah2015_fs.jpg (7)

undefinedIf you want to shoot a whopper deer, elk or bear, you have to be hunting in an area where such critters exist. Seems like a simple concept, doesn’t it? And yet most hunters do not take the time to do the research necessary to tell them where the odds are best at scoring big.

As something of a bear hunting freak, I’ve been looking into big bear areas for years. In the old days doing so was heavy lifting. But today, with the aid of the Boone & Crockett Club’s online trophy database getting in the zone is pretty easy.

 

OK, that’s cool, but where, exactly, in each of these places are the most record-book bears taken? Here’s the breakdown of the top 20 counties of all time for producing melon-headed bears:

Of course there’s more to it than this, but this kind of data will get you started. You can do this same research for any big game animal in North America.

Latest

250 Beauty Lede
250 Beauty Lede

#SundayGunday: Winchester 250th Anniversary Ammunition

On this week's #SundayGunday, we’re taking a walk down memory lane, celebrating Winchester Ammunition and its salute to the greatest 250 years a country has ever lived. This limited-edition run of USA 250th Anniversary Edition ammunition pays homage to the red-blooded Americans who sacrificed themselves for the betterment of a nation.

What Summer Buck Sightings Tell Us

Dreaming of fall? Here are some things to look for during your summertime scouting.

One Out of Every Four Hunters Won’t Hunt in 2026

One out of every four hunters who hunted the 2025 season will not hunt in 2026. That startling statistic was arrived at by Southwick Associates after conducting a survey of 28,447 hunters in 20 states.

Says You: Sightseeing on a Hunt?

Editor-in-Chief Scott Olmsted's monthly response column to questions posed by our members. This time, we're discussing hunting practices and traditions, and making some long-distance connections.

First Look: CVA Cascade SR

CVA has announced the Cascade SR. This suppressor-ready version of the company's standard Cascade, is built for hunters who need a compact, maneuverable rifle.

Fueled by AI: Boone and Crockett Club Launches Big Game Records Live 2.0

The Boone and Crockett Club recently launched Big Game Records Live 2.0, a major evolution of its digital platform that transforms the world’s oldest big game records database into an interactive analytics tool for hunters.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.