The sex, age, and other characteristics of 668 brown bears (Ursus arctos) killed in nonsport circumstances in Alaska during the period 1970-85 were examined. These data represent an unknown fraction of total nonsport kills as not all kills were reported. Both sport harvests and nonsport kills are increasing in Alaska. Nonsport harvests averaged 5.1% of total sport and nonsport kills. Areas with the highest human density had the highest ratio of nonsport to sport harvests. Nonsport harvests are most common during periods when most people are in remote areas to hunt or fish. Males predominate in the nonsport kills of younger bears and females in the nonsport kills of older bears. Regulations and other factors make adult male bears more vulnerable to sport hunters than adult female bears. Partially as a result, nonsport kills contain more adult females than sport kills. An analysis based on affidavits from 224 persons killing bears revealed that bears were shot to avoid perceived danger (72%), to protect property (21%), and to eliminate nuisances (7%).
- Volume 7
- Issue
- Pages 51-58
- Publication Date 1 January 1987
- DOI 10.2307/3872607
- File Size 272.30 KB
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