Alaskan Cinnamon Bear

[Hike-In-Hunter25]

So I after years of hunting I finally got my first kill

Here's the story...

I flew into Anchorage around 11:00pm on Wednesday, drove to Copper Center and got in around 4am. Got a little sleep and headed out with my friend around 4pm to the spot he had picked out for me.  The weather was perfect!  65 and sunny!  We setup along a pond and waited....but not long.  About 3 hours into the hunt as my friend was slowly drifting away in a nap in the sun I spotted a slight movement about 125 yards across the pond.  As the bear came into sight my friend Dan remarked... Damn its a Grizz!  Quickly we took out our binos and were both in shock to see that the big bear was not a Grizz but actually a huge Cinnamon!  Within seconds the bear vanished without a sound.  Patiently waiting the bear returned and we waited to scope out the scene looking for cubs.  I began to setup my shot and within seconds the bear was gone again!  About 10 minutes later the bear returned and no cubs were in sight but we were still hesitant because it kept leaving (possibly to cubs?)  We were confident there weren't any cubs so as I put the sights on it I took a deep breath but just didn't feel comfortable with the shot that was offered and again the bear vanished like a ghost!  Finally the bear returned for the 4th time and I was ready...  The bear sat about 125 yards away and offered me a great shot... Bamm!  The bear was knocked back and scrambled quickly to its feet and took off running.  My friend was a little concerned that the bear had gotten up and ran so easily but I was quick to say that I was very confident that I had placed the shot right where I wanted it.  So we walked around the pond and only 20 yards away was my first kill!  A beautiful Cinnamon bear!  She has an extremely soft coat... much much softer than I ever expected!  The coloring was perfect!  She was an old bear... so old her teeth were worn down to nothing!  The canines were no longer pointed but rather flat too!  Her claws were worn down and one was even missing.  This bear measured out just shy of 7ft from nose to tail and weighed in just under 330lbs. 

The next day we had to take the skull and hide to the Fish and Game Dept.  where the wildlife biologist took tissue and tooth samples... measured the skull at 16 3/4.  She remarked that this was the biggest Cinnamon bear she had ever seen and that the bear must have been between 20-25 years old!  I guess her being so cautious is what kept her alive so long and able to grow so big.  There hair was thick and fluffy even around the nipples, which the biologist said was an indicator that she had not had cubs in several years.  It was a great hunt!  The best I could have asked for and even better that the wildlife biologist was so impressed with the size of the sow and her coloring.

The pictures don't do her justice but I will never forget the sight of this bear coming into view... huge animal, slowly walking and sniffing the air and keeping me anxiously waiting for the perfect shot.  I think I am now addicted and will be returning again and again!

[Huntbear]

Congrats on the beautiful bear.  Man those teeth are worn down some, huh? 

[jackelope]

right on...good looking bear.
congrats!!!

[Thenewguy]

great story, congrats

[Wea300mag]

Congrats hunter25, I can't wait for you to harvest some more critters, that was a great write-up and great pics.

[actionshooter]

Right on!!
Looks like you couldn't ask for more on a great hunt.

[Michelle_Nelson]

Awsome!  That is a great looking Bear!  Great color to.  Bear hides are typically very good in the spring.

[Machias]

Awesome, beautiful bear!!  Congrats and thanks for the story and photos!!

[saylean]

holy cow! I call those "corn on the cobb" teeth...they look like the cob after you eat the corn off em!

Is that one canine broke? (lower jaw, left side of bear) Cool color, cool first, cool hunt! Its a great bear and a good job taking it. With teeth like that, I wonder how much longer she would have remained, not being a nuisance bear.

[shanevg]

Wow!  What a bear!  My most recent bear (a sow) scored 16 7/8 and this one looks significantly larger.  What a great way to go for your first kill.  Good luck in the future!

[GoldTip]

Congrats, great looking bear.

[bowhunterforever]

Awsome story and bear, Congrats!

[granola/hippyslayer]

nice

[heavy hauler]

awesome

[bowsandhose]

very nice grats