..... in a survival situation an attacking bear, it would supply ... some claws for jewelry and to remember the bruin by in my aging years.
Just a note to clarify, so people don't inadvertently get into trouble. Alaska law allows killing game for food in a survival situation, and also allows killing a bear in self defense.
However, state law is also quite explicit that if you do shoot a bear in defense, you must report it as soon as possible, skin out the bear, and surrender the hide with claws attached to the state. The Wildlife Troopers and/or Fish and Game will investigate all of these shootings, but in practice, they virtually always give you the benefit of the doubt. The hides taken in "Defense of Life and Property" are then sold at auction. If you don't report the shooting and/or keep any part of the animal, it would be considered poaching.
The reason for that requirement should be fairly obvious. If one could keep the animal after a DLP shooting, then anyone who wanted a bear rug would go just go out and shoot the first bear they see, irrespective of whether or not they were in danger. Nobody would bother with such things as season, hunting licences, tags, etc. If you want a bear trophy, you need to do it on a legal hunt.
I know you wouldn't intentionally break the law, but I just want to make sure everyone understands what the Alaska DLP laws mean. Below is a quote of the actual statute, with a few key points emphasized:
5 AAC 92.410. Taking game in defense of life or property
(a) Nothing in 5 AAC prohibits a person from taking game in defense of life or property if
(1) the necessity for the taking is not brought about by harassment or provocation of the animal, or by an unreasonable invasion of the animal's habitat;
(2) the necessity for the taking is not brought about by the improper disposal of garbage or a similar attractive nuisance; and
(3) all other practicable means to protect life and property are exhausted before the game is taken.
(b) Game taken in defense of life or property is the property of the state. A person taking such game shall immediately salvage the meat or, in the case of a black bear, wolf, wolverine, or coyote, shall salvage the hide and shall immediately surrender the salvaged meat or hide to the department. In the case of a brown bear, the hide and skull must be immediately delivered to the department. A surrendered hide and skull of a bear must be completely removed from the carcass. A surrendered bear hide must include attached claws. A person taking game under this section shall notify the department of the taking immediately, and within 15 days after the taking shall submit to the department a completed questionnaire concerning the circumstances of the taking.
(c) As used in this section, "property" means
(1) a dwelling, permanent or temporary;
(2) an aircraft, boat, automobile, or other conveyance;
(3) a domesticated animal;
(4) other property of substantial value necessary for the livelihood or survival of the owner.
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