“brown bears”

Brown bears of southeast Alaska defy perceptions of size, and sometimes they can tenaciously cling to life. Though a quick kill is always desired, it's not always possible.

Introduced in 1989, the .416 Remington Magnum is fully capable of handling any and all game, including the heavyweights like elephant, hippo, buffalo and coastal brown bears. Its trajectory is flatter than most would think, and recoil isn’t much heavier than the .375 H&H, yet the terminal results are visibly greater.

The big island is home to an abundance of game including Sitka blacktail, ducks, and fox … and of course, very large brown bears. If you’re looking for adventure, Kodiak is calling. Just be warned: getting there may be the easiest part.

Outfitters put us in treestands they’ve hung. They back us up on brown bears. They fly us in their planes. So you need to be sure you’re hiring a professional.

Jim Landess of Sterling, Alaska, used a $200 Hi-Point .45 ACP pistol to defend his home against a 450-pound brown bear.

Field Editor Philip Massaro shares the gear he used on his recent Alaska black bear hunt.

If you can remain calm when an Alaska brown bear charges within feet of you, check your heart … and your sanity.

The sights and sounds of Alaska alone are worth a cross-country trek. But a hunter should never forget there are bears aplenty in the 49th.

Contributor Philip Massaro shares some of his favorite rifles and loads for different bear hunting scenarios.