The Alaskan coastal brown bear is an impressive animal. Some of the exceptional examples rival the polar bear for the title of the largest living land predator. Males range in size from 300 to 1500 lbs. and have been recorded at 2500 lbs.. The smaller females weigh in from 200 to 600 lbs. Although called "brown" bears they vary in coloration from almost black to a very light blonde. The Alaska population is estimated at about 30,000, and about 4000 reside in Katmai National Park.

Brown bears live for 20 to 25 years and are loners, except for females with cubs. The bears that we will see in Katmai do sometimes congregate in large groups due to the abundant food sources concentrated in relatively small areas. Brown bears of both sexes reach sexual maturity at 4 to 7 years of age. The males are typically not able to enter the breeding population until 8 to 10 years when they are large enough to intimidate or fight off competitors. The mating season is from early May to mid July. Some of the most exciting bear behavior to observe is during this time period. A typical litter is 2 cubs, but litters can be in the range of 1 to 4 cubs. They are born January to March and remain with their mothers for two and a half to three and a half years.

Although Brown bears have a popular reputation as carnivorous predators the are actually omnivorous and at most times eat primarily vegetation, sedges, grasses and roots. They are however opportunistic and will utilize whatever food source is available, so when the salmon arrive in the coastal streams and rivers that is where you will find the local bears. Watching the fishing techniques and skills (or lack of skill in the younger bears) is often comical, thrilling and sometimes frustrating.