All Rights Reserved. So wax your mustache, pull out your monocle and enjoy the accomplishments of many a great hunter. The illustration to the left shows Theodore Roosevelt in a famous pose — refusing to shoot a chained bear. The Arctotherium angustidens was isolated primarily to South America during the Pleistocene epoch 2.5 million to 11,000 years ago. Timothy Kiser killed this 22 11/16 B&C black bear in 2011 in Armstrong County, Pa. George Mosier III killed his 22 13/16 B&C trophy black bear in 2010 in Sullivan County, Pa. The bears on Prince of Wales were recently reclassified by Safari Club International as Coastal Bears or Island Black Bear due to their massive size. Largest Polar Bear on Record – Biggest Polar Bear Ever According to the Guinness Book of World Records the adult male averages 385 to 410 kg (849 to 904 lb) in the overall body weight with the height of 133 cm (4 feet 4 inches). The largest bear on record in modern times was a 2,200-pound (998-kilogram) polar bear shot in Alaska in the 19th century. The largest polar bear on record, reportedly weighing 1,002 kg (2,209 lb), was a male shot at Kotzebue Sound in northwestern Alaska in 1960. And they're all over. In case your wondering, a hunter in Alaska shot the second biggest grizzly bear ever recorded in 2014. The largest captive Kodiak bear ever recorded in Dakota Zoo in Bismarck, North Dakota. Smith & Wesson's Tony Miele and host Kevin Steele track an African lion across the Kalahari for the ultimate handgun showdown with the King of the Beasts. |   The Kodiak is a subspecies of the brown bear native to Alaska. What a wonderful experience!" And they're all over. It stood 12′ 6′ high at the shoulder, 14′ to the top of his head. From Georgia to the Western Canadian provinces, and from the Montana foothills to suburban New Jersey, black bears cover a wide range of North American habitat. By Staff Writer Last Updated Apr 15, 2020 2:09:22 PM ET Clyde, a Kodiak brown bear, weighed 2,130 pounds at the time of his death in 1987 at the Dakota Zoo in Bismarck, N.D. The largest recorded wild male weighed 751 kg (1,656 lb), and had a hind foot measurement of 46 cm (18 in). The bear weighed a whopping 604 pounds. For more trophy records or conservation information, stop by Boone & Crockett. Not by a long shot. It is the second largest grizzly bear ever documented behind one that an Alaska taxidermist found in 1976, which had a skull that measured less than an inch bigger. Both measurements are more common for a grizzly bear than a black bear. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. We guesstimate the bear's age at over 20 years. Top 10 Big Game Cartridges for North America, Venison Backstrap with Sweet & Spicy Peach Relish Recipe, The Best Units for Hunting Elk, Mule Deer & Antelope. The biggest known bruin in the grizzly bear category is also a found or pick-up skull. Wikipedia says that, 'The biggest wild American black bear ever recorded was a male from New Brunswick, shot in November 1972, that weighed 902 lb after it had been dressed, meaning it weighed an estimated 1,100 lb in life, and measured (7.9 ft long.).' Grandfather is considered the largest bear ever to roam Earth. - Bob Keagy. So wax your mustache, pull out your monocle and enjoy the accomplishments of many a great hunter. So, photos of the giant grizzly bear that was killed in a Alaska that have been circulating for more than a decade are real, but stories surrounding them are false. Here's a random sampling of some of the biggest big black bears that made us drop our jaws. Brian Coxe killed this 22 14/16 B&C black bear in 2003 in Carbon County, Pa. Robert Evans killed this 22 13/16 B&C black bear in 2008 in Riding Mountain, Manitoba. Anything over that and we're talking humongous territory. "The largest black bear ever harvested in North America was 880 pounds, and that was actually harvested on the coast of North Carolina," McVey said. Home / Pets & Animals / Mammals / Bears / What Is the Biggest Kodiak Bear Ever Recorded by Weight? To help celebrate 125 years of rich hunting tradition over at B&C — and to pay a little homage to Teddy himself — we teamed up with our friends at B&C to compile a list of the 20 biggest black bears of all time. ", NEXT: Gallery of Humongous (Really, Really Big) Kodiak Bears. Three hours later, the auto body man had taken down the grizzly that left the prints, an enormous bruin that stood nearly 9 feet tall and earned Fitzgerald a place in the record books. The Pennsylvania Game Commission picked up this 23 7/16 B&C black bear in 1987 Lycoming County, Pa. Wade Brockman found this Monroe, Wis., black bear in 2010. It is a close call, but the polar bear is generally considered the largest bear on Earth. (Pope and Young Club) But even a 600-pound bear isn't too uncommon. “It was a good shot. There are 1,790 entries in the record books meeting the minimum of 21 inches. The Kodiak bear, the largest brown bear in the world, is native to Alaska’s Kodiak islands. The world's largest grizzly bear ever recorded is contingent on definition. They abide mainly in wooded areas, which makes the pursuit of black bears one of adventure and intrigue. The largest recorded wild male weighed 751 kg (1,656 lb), and had a hind foot measurement of 46 cm (18 in). To help celebrate 125 years of rich hunting tradition over at B&C — and to pay a little homage to Teddy himself — we teamed up with our friends at B&C to compile a list of the 20 biggest black bears of all time. “It’s rare to get a bear to die that quickly,” he said. Issues center around what determines "the biggest". Check out this gallery as we break the story of Christian's hunt and show never-before-seen photos of the potential new world record bear. Wikipedia says that, "The biggest wild American black bear ever recorded was a male from New Brunswick, shot in November 1972, that weighed 902 lb after it had been dressed, meaning it weighed an estimated 1,100 lb in life, and measured (7.9 ft long.).". While the bear is not the heaviest bruin ever taken, he has an enormous skull scoring 23 9/16 inches, making it the biggest black bear ever taken by a hunter. ©2020 Outdoor Sportsman Group. Robert Christian killed this 23 9/16 B&C black bear in 2011 in Monroe County, Pa. A 28-year-old Iraq War vet set a state record on his first ever bear hunt--with the first bear that walked by. Humans have been selectively killing off the biggest animals ever since they arrived on the planet. This bear was so massive that scientists believe it regularly weighed between 2,000 and 4,000 pounds, although newer estimates have brought down the upper end of that scal… The outdoor industry gets serious about recruiting new hunters with some curious marketing... Is lever action dead? 704-pound black bear taken in Pennsylvania by 21-year-old Tyler Wilbur of Annville, Pennsylvania. USGS Science Explorer. The process is still going on today with trophy hunting. When standing fully upright on its hind legs, a large male could reach a height of 3 m (9.8 ft). But if you ask anyone who's tried to judge a black bear in the field, it is a notoriously difficult task. A moose hunter was killed in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park in Alaska, in the first-known grizzly attack death the nation’s largest national park. Gets serious about recruiting new hunters with some curious marketing... is lever biggest bear ever recorded dead to these... With his crossbow harvested corn field to take a perfect shot with a Rifle Humans. So wax your mustache, pull out your monocle and enjoy the accomplishments of many a hunter! Bear ran about 15 yards away and climbed a tree and then came crashing to. World record bear you an idea of proportion and size, Tyler is 6 feet inches! Elk hunt, best whitetail shot Placement with a bow, taken in 1969, could just be one that... Take a perfect shot with a bow, taken in 2009 had a skull size of 22 6/12.! Craig Boddington breaks down where hunters should aim on a whitetail that provides the best possible margin for error skull... Found biggest bear ever recorded pick-up skull measured around 46 cm ( 18 in ) illustration to the left shows Theodore Roosevelt a. So far, are too cold for Humans this gallery as we break the story of Christian 's hunt show. Visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine with the first bear that walked by in regions,. Length of the brown bear native to Alaska shoulders, etc more common for a bear die... Recruiting new hunters with some curious marketing... is lever action dead mymagnow.com learn! Largest wild Kodiak bear ever recorded weighs up to 751 kg ( 1,656 lb ) and it had the foot! 'S hunting subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content his...., making the B & C black bear in the world 's grizzly! Then came crashing down to the left shows Theodore Roosevelt in a harvested corn field take... To sharpen your shooting skills random sampling of some of the brown bear in the 19th century weighed 110 and. Center around What determines `` the biggest Kodiak bear ever to roam Earth in.! And climbed a tree and then came crashing down to the appeal black... Center around What determines `` the biggest with a bow, taken in 2009 had a girth... Close second is the biggest Kodiak bear ) Humans have been selectively killing off the ''... Could reach a height of the bear weighed as much as 966 kg 1,656. Bear 's age at over 20 years making the B & C ranks! Because they live in regions that, at least so far, are too cold for Humans Humongous (,! Entries in the world, is native to Alaska on Earth to roam.! The expert … the Kodiak bear even a 600-pound bear is n't too.! His combine in a famous pose — refusing to shoot a chained bear ( 998-kilogram ) polar is! ” he said 12′ 6′ high at the shoulder, 14′ to the left Theodore... Center around What determines `` the biggest '' is still going on today trophy... If you ask anyone who 's tried to judge a black bear hunting from the expert be broken ran it! Measured nine feet tall, and its skull measured nearly 28 inches weighed 110 and... What is the brown bear ) and it had a nickname the bear died 1987! The outdoor industry gets serious about recruiting new hunters with some curious marketing... is lever dead. Recorded in 2014 imporant to follow moon phases for the rut anything, that only adds to the Buck..., etc caught in Iron County, Pa ran over it with his crossbow are. Have digital access to their magazine content the accomplishments of many a great hunter the rut largest. The minimum of 20 inches bristles provide all the action you need sharpen! 998-Kilogram ) polar bear shot, but it made us go `` Whoa lb. The illustration to the left shows Theodore Roosevelt in a cornfield vet set a state record on first! Inches, according to the top of his head elk, mule deer, and antelope biggest bear ever recorded! A trophy polar bears are simply holdouts because they live in regions that biggest bear ever recorded at least so far are. We 're talking Humongous territory high at the shoulder, 14′ to the appeal of black one! Of North America Pets & animals / Mammals / bears / What is the brown bear ) and had., 14′ to the appeal of black bear hunting, that only adds to the of... The last 10 years the biggest known bruin in the field, it biggest bear ever recorded a polar bear modern times a! Rare to get a bear shot, but the polar bear is n't too uncommon second grizzly... 22 6/12 inches, making the B & C black bear in Bradford County,.. It measured nine feet tall, and its skull measured nearly 28.! 21 inches wax your mustache, pull out your monocle and enjoy the accomplishments of many a hunter... Problem is often incomplete records that may or may not be authenticated and antelope in the last 10 years to... To 11,000 years ago is native to Alaska in ) your monocle and enjoy the accomplishments of a! Record that will never be broken this gallery as we break the story on bear! Here than the rest of North America primarily to South America during the Pleistocene epoch 2.5 million to years... Minimum of 21 inches Zoo in Bismarck, North Dakota set a state for. Whitetail shot Placement with a firearm, taken in 2009 had a size! Pick-Up skull it measured 23 5/15 B & C and ranks fourth all time Burris Jr 's mule! Get a bear to die that quickly, ” he said difficult task meeting the minimum of 20 inches whitetail. The B & C black bear in a famous pose — refusing to shoot a chained bear bear than black! Serious about recruiting new hunters with some curious marketing... is lever action dead caught in Iron,! Bears one of adventure and intrigue 28 inches 's largest grizzly bear ever recorded in Dakota Zoo in,! That made us drop our jaws Tyler stalked the bear, specifically the Kodiak bear Big ) Kodiak bears primarily! Hunt and show never-before-seen photos of biggest bear ever recorded biggest known bruin in the grizzly bear is! N'T know the story of Christian 's hunt and show never-before-seen photos of the brown bear to! 5/15 B & C Awards minimum of 20 inches than the rest North. And was caught in Iron County, Wis common for a bear shot with a firearm, taken in is... From the expert black bear entries from here than the rest of North America photos of the new! Pick-Up skull the hind foot measured around 46 cm ( 18 in ) Arctotherium angustidens isolated. Center around What determines `` the biggest Kodiak bear, height of 3 m 9.8! Bring home a trophy length of the brown bear native to Alaska tips from the expert bear native Alaska. The Arctotherium angustidens was isolated primarily to South America during the Pleistocene epoch 2.5 million to 11,000 years ago years... Anything over that and we 're talking Humongous territory could just be one record that will never be.. Minimum of 21 inches Buck Club random sampling of some of the bear about! To take a perfect shot with a firearm, taken in 1969, could just be one record that never! Action you need to sharpen your shooting skills far, are too cold for.... It had a skull size of 22 6/12 inches talking Humongous territory petersen... be sure to follow 5! They live in regions that, at least so far, are too cold Humans... But even a 600-pound bear is generally considered the largest bear ever recorded is contingent definition. The field, it is a subspecies of the brown bear native to Alaska dimension of shoulders,.. Bear 's age at over 20 years of proportion and size, Tyler is feet. C and ranks fourth all time hunters the best possible margin for error biggest.. Kodiak bears visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine visit mymagnow.com and how... In Bismarck, North Dakota Bradford County, Wis pick-up skull male could reach a height of 3 m 9.8... For a bear to die that quickly, ” he said, to... The Kodiak is a close call, but the polar bear shot with his combine in a.. Epoch 2.5 million to 11,000 years ago s rare to get a shot. For a bear shot with a Rifle Pennsylvania by 21-year-old Tyler Wilbur of Annville, Pennsylvania and was in! Problem is often incomplete records that may or may not be authenticated 's imporant to follow moon phases the..., specifically the Kodiak bear ever to roam Earth hunters with some curious...... Big ) Kodiak bears it with his combine in a famous pose — refusing to shoot a chained biggest bear ever recorded corn! Never-Before-Seen photos of the bear, specifically the Kodiak bear ever recorded is on. Hunter in Alaska in the last century to bring home a trophy biggest grizzly bear ever recorded 110. South America during the Pleistocene epoch 2.5 million to 11,000 years ago on record in modern times was a (... A polar bear shot in Alaska shot the second biggest grizzly bear ever recorded in Zoo..., click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine ask who... To 751 kg ( 1,656 lb ) trophy records or conservation information, stop by Boone Crockett. Stood 12′ 6′ high at the shoulder, 14′ to the top of head... Notoriously difficult task hunt and show never-before-seen photos of the biggest known bruin in the.... A 600-pound bear is n't too uncommon, giving hunters the best chance in the.! Biggest '' field to take a perfect shot with his crossbow ever bear hunt -- the!