Benjamin-

As I recall you have indicated that you have only recently moved to Alaska, so you may not be familiar with our laws/regulations regarding shooting a bear in defense. You should review those before heading afield. To summarize, you may shoot a bear to protect yourself. However if you do shoot a bear in self defense the bear becomes the property of the state. You must report it immediatly to ADFG or AST, surrender the skull, and hide with claws attached, and fill out a report of the circumstances.

If you were to shoot a bear in defense and keep the hide it would be considered poaching. The only exception might be if you were in a unit with an open bear season. Note that in many game units, bear hunting is by drawing permit. Alaska is a very big place, and fish and game regs vary quite a bit depending on which unit you are hunting in.

See http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=livingwithbears.conflicts:

"You may kill a bear in defense of your life or property if you did not provoke an attack or cause a problem by negligently leaving human or pet food or garbage in a manner that attracts bears and if you have done everything else you can to protect your life and property (5 AAC 92.410)."

"Property means your dwelling, means of travel, pets or livestock, fish drying racks, or other valuable property necessary for your livelihood or survival. While game meat is considered your property, you may not kill a bear to protect it unless the meat is critical for your survival. Even in this situation you still must do everything possible to protect the meat (i.e. proper storage, scaring the scavenger, etc. See Safely in Bear Country) before you may kill the bear."

"If you have to shoot a bear, be sure you shoot to kill - wounded bears are potentially more dangerous than healthy bears. Also be very careful of what lies beyond your intended target - stray bullets can travel over a mile and still be deadly."

"Bears killed in defense of life or property belong to the state. If you kill a bear you must remove the hide. If it is a brown bear you must also salvage the skull. You must give both the hide, with claws attached, and the skull to ADF&G. You must also notify your local ADF&G Wildlife Conservation office or Alaska State Troopers Bureau of Wildlife enforcement immediately. You are required to fill out and submit a Defense of Life or Property Report Form (PDF 172 kB) questionnaire concerning the circumstances within 15 days."