14 MISC. PUBLICATION 19 5, U.S. DEPT. OF AGEICULTUEE 



Alaska bear range of 27,000 square miles, exclusive of permanent 

 ice fields, roughly estimated at 7,000 square miles, would give a 

 total brown-bear population for the region of 10,810 animals. 



It is generally agreed that the number of brown bears in south- 

 eastern Alaska has been increasing materially in the past 15 to 20 

 years, or since the sale of pelts was stopped. A fur dealer in Juneau 

 states that in the days when pelts could be taken commercially, his 

 firm alone obtained between 25 and 50 skins yearly from the Indian 

 village of Angoon on Admiralty, and that these came largely from 

 the three important bear islands of Chichagof, Baranof, and Ad- 

 miralty. Many other firms were buying at the same time from 

 hunters in the same general field. The regulations and the check-up 

 on the shipment of brown-bear pelts from the Territory are now so 

 rigid that the sending out of contraband pelts is thought to be an 

 immaterial factor. 



PRESENT EXTENT OF KILLING 



Most of the residents of southeastern Alaska are concentrated in 

 the towns, and few follow occupations or engage in recreational 

 activities that take them into the wilderness areas that constitute the 

 bear habitat. They number, including both whites and Indians, only 

 one person to 1.84 square miles. Jungle-like forests, rough topog- 

 raphy, and a wet climate discourage frequent and long trips on the 

 part of townspeople into the bear country. 



Bear hunting as a sport has very few local followers. The number 

 of bear hunters from outside the Territory, however, is increasing 

 from year to year, but the kill from this source, which is accurately 

 known, is still too small to jeopardize the bear population on any 

 major subdivision of the range. Furthermore, it should be stated 

 that a majority of the big-game hunters prefer to seek trophies at 

 points farther north and west, where the animals attain a larger 

 size than in southeastern Alaska. 



The killing of brown bears by nonresident seasonal workers is 

 still a considerable problem. Few of these men have any interest 

 in game conservation, and many, especially orientals and other 

 foreigners, seem inclined to kill every wild animal and bird they see. 

 Moreover, cannery employees, who constitute the largest class of 

 seasonal workers, are in the Territory during the period that the 

 bears are most accessible. The game laws adequately cover this 

 class of wanton killing, and the Alaska Game Commission is re- 

 ceiving excellent cooperation from the companies bringing such 

 labor to the Territory. The matter is being brought under control, 

 but increased protection by game wardens, forest rangers, and other 

 Government field men is needed. Aliens are not allowed to possess 

 firearms within the Territory, except under permit. This law is an 

 effective game-protective measure, especially as related to alien 

 cannery workers. 



Although the practice is not general, the incidental shooting of 

 brown bears by local residents whose occupations take them into the 

 bear sections doubtless accounts for a considerable number of ani- 

 mals yearly. This casual killing is most frequently done by crews 



