The polar bear population is fast diminishing due to the melting of the polar ice caps caused by global warming. If the hunter decides he wants to try his hand at polar bear hunting, he should look to do it in the very near future as this sport will fast become extinct.



Polar bears have adapted miraculously to their environment; they grow to the size of Kodiak bears and are twice the weight of a Siberian tiger. They are semi-aquatic animals, living on land, sea, and ice, and eating both marine life and vegetation. The polar bear will eat anything he can kill, from fish to birds and anything in between; their only predator is humans and other larger bear. While they are known as being an aggressive bear and caution should be exercised, enlisting the help of a guide will allow the hunter to get at a close distance to the bear.

While they may seem white, the individual hairs are actually transparent in color, and the yellow bears are actually the mature ones. These are often the bears that hunters prefer to go after for a trophy. Because of the diminishing numbers of this animal, polar bear hunting is very strictly monitored. At nighttime when the bears are often hunted they are nearly invisible, with the only visible part of their body often being their black nose or their breath. For this reason night vision is nearly useless. With the help of a guide's trained eye though, a hunter can search the horizon looking for bulk, footprints, or movement to signal a bear.

It's essential for the hunter to dress for the climate when he goes polar bear hunting. Since the bears are found only in north and west Alaska, arctic Canada, Siberia, and Greenland, a hunter must be prepared for the very coldest of environments. Ironically, polar bears get overheated when the temperature soars higher than 10 degrees above Fahrenheit. The terrain where the bears live is also very rocky and dangerous. Spikes will be necessary to allow a hunter to maintain his footing; a guide service will be able to give you specific details about outerwear. Many guides also prefer the use of a bow and arrow for hunting. With a little research and planning a hunter can soon be enjoying the thrilling experience of hunting polar bear in the arctic.