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Species authority page

Polar bear

Ursus maritimus · Big game

Polar bear (Ursus maritimus): Very large, stocky bear without the brown bear's shoulder hump. Relatively small head and elongated neck. This profile does not establish whether taking it is legal anywhere.

Check rules for a place and dateOpen the polar bear map

Certified rules currently represented in Hunt: coverage in development. This is coverage, not a legal answer.

Polar bear standing on its hind legs on snow with one forepaw raised
Photo by Hans-Jurgen Mager on Unsplash
Scientific name
Ursus maritimus
Family
Ursidae
Range
Circumpolar Arctic. In North America, populations occur in western and northern Alaska and the Canadian Arctic archipelago, following the pack ice south in winter.
Biology

How to identify it

Very large, stocky bear without the brown bear's shoulder hump. [1]

Relatively small head and elongated neck. [1]

Fur appears white but can look yellowish in summer or brown/grey depending on light; skin is black. [1]

Broad forepaws and furred soles. [1]

Males 300-800 kg and up to 2.5 m long; females 150-300 kg. [1]

Compared with the grizzly (brown) bear: The polar bear lacks the brown bear's shoulder hump and has a smaller head, longer neck and white-appearing coat. [1]

Species it is confused with

Check these before deciding what you are looking at. If you are not certain what it is, do not shoot.

Field notes

  • Identification Do not identify Polar bear from colour alone. Compare structure, size, range and the listed similar species before making a field decision.[1]
Field knowledge

Where it lives

Pack ice of the Arctic Ocean, especially ice edges and pressure ridges; in summer on islands, coasts with landfast ice or stranded on land. Pregnant females den on coasts in winter. [1]

Field knowledge

How it behaves

Solitary except females with cubs and mating pairs; bears may gather to scavenge a seal kill. [1]

Mainly still-hunts ringed seals at breathing holes, or stalks seals basking on ice; often eats only the blubber. [1]

Strong swimmer that ranges widely; has been documented as far south as Maine. [1]

Uses a 'chuffing' sound as a greeting; has a keen sense of smell. [1]

Regulatory handoff

Where it is listed for legal take

These authorities list this species for legal take in their own regulations.

Conservation and protection

Where legal take is listed

Being listed is not an open season. Seasons, zones, licences, methods and limits decide whether this animal may be taken on a given day and place — check Hunt or the authority before you go. Listings read 2026-09-30.

Geospatial intelligence

Where it is found

Circumpolar Arctic. In North America, populations occur in western and northern Alaska and the Canadian Arctic archipelago, following the pack ice south in winter.

Biology

Sources

Every claim above is attributed to one of these published sources.

  1. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology · reviewed 2026-09-30

    Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology