Brown Bear Management and Research
Publications & Reports
Management
Alaska has over 98 percent of the United States population of brown bears, and more than 70 percent of the North American population, so it has a special responsibility to this magnificent animal. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is responsible for managing bears in the state and for ensuring that management is based on the best scientific knowledge possible. Important aspects of this effort include maintaining healthy populations of bears throughout Alaska, conserving bear habitat, preventing overharvest, and conducting studies necessary to understand population requirements and how bears and people can co-exist. As Alaska continues to develop, it is critical that everyone recognize their role as stewards of this important resource and strive to safely share our great state with them.
Professional Publications
- Van Daele, L.J. and V.G. Barnes Jr. 2010. Management of Brown Bear Hunting on Kodiak Island, Alaska. (PDF 1,330 kB) Scandinavian Bear Conference. Rovdjurscentrum Orsa Grönklitt. Orsa, Sweden. January 2010.
Research
Interactive Maps
Working for Wildlife Video
Research Projects
- Grizzly and Black Bear Distribution and Abundance Relative to the 2004 Wildfires in Eastern Interior Alaska: Possible Intensive Management Consequences
- Grizzly bear use of the North Slope oilfields and surrounding region
- Population demographics of Kenai brown bears
Project Information
Grizzly and Black Bear Distribution and Abundance Relative to the 2004 Wildfires in Eastern Interior Alaska: Possible Intensive Management Consequences
Project 4.39, Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Grant Project. Duration: July 1, 2008–June 30, 2014. Principal Investigator: Craig Gardner, Fairbanks.
Understanding habitat and human use factors that influence grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) and possibly black bear (Ursus americanus) distribution and abundance are fundamental in developing suitable intensive management and adaptive management programs in Interior Alaska. The spatial structure of a grizzly bear population has direct bearing on its role as a predator. During summer 2004, wildfires disturbed 31% of the area within the Upper Yukon/Tanana Bear Control area (UYTBC) and research conducted during summer 2006 (Gardner et al. unpublished data) indicates that grizzly bear numbers remained stable but distribution was no longer uniform. In order to design future grizzly bear and moose management direction in that area and possibly in other areas in the Interior prone to wildfire, we need to comprehend bear and moose population and distribution reactions and trends relative to wildfire. Expected results include:
1. Describe grizzly and black bears in relation to large wildfire disturbance in the UYTBC in GMU 20E.
2. Evaluate the effects of grizzly and black bear population and distribution trends on moose population growth and composition.
3. Evaluate the effects of grizzly bear distribution on black bear population size and distribution.
4. Develop hypotheses that will improve our understanding and management of grizzly bears under Intensive management in Interior Alaska.