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[The Straight Story]

12. Alaska has an estimated 30,000 brown bears statewide

1,900 were hunted last year, 700 by state residents (Brown and grizzly bears are classified as the same species).

They provide food and fur and have been/were hunted as far back as people have lived on the continent.

Would I hunt one? No. Some however do, here are few permits awarded:

Cultural Education Permit

These permits authorize take of some game species for the purposes of passing on cultural knowledge and tradition in a structured educational setting such as an Alaska Native Culture Camp. Permits will not be issued when the proposed harvest can be reasonably accommodated under existing regulations. Links to the policy on issuing these permits and an application form are below. For more information please contact ADF&G Permits Section at [phone] or [e-mail].

Cultural Permit Application Procedures and Policy (PDF 45 kB)
Cultural Permit Application (PDF 16 kB)

Taking of Big Game for Religious Ceremonies

Game for use as food in customary and traditional Alaska Native funerary or mortuary religious ceremonies may be harvested outside of existing seasons and bag limits. However, procedures and requirements for harvesting game differ by species and area. Please review links to the regulation authorizing this activity and list of populations where this practice is not allowed. For more information, please contact your local Fish and Game office.

More here:
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=huntlicense.cultural

Some people hunt for their food, some use the services of big companies to kill their food and such for them.