Kodiak Island And Its Bears tells the entire story of Kodiak Island, its big bears, and its guiding industry. Every known bear guide through Kodiak Island's golden era of hunting has been carefully researched, and all of the very best bear tales recorded for each.

This volume of 364 pages starts where history has not yet arrived, as told through the eyes of paleontologists. Then, the earliest historical accounts, laced with Native bear lore, myth and legend, are laid out in graphic detail. The crucial era, starting with the arrival of modern man, is told through historical first person accounts involving life on the frontier and high adventure - in a land dominated by bears that were originally reported at twelve feet. Man and bear interaction is splendidly told in graphic details which include many encounters that ended in human tragedy.

All of the material in this volume has been made available through the tireless labor of Harry B. Dodge, III, a registered guide on Kodiak Island. Mr. Dodge has carefully traced down surviving relatives of scores of older guides, obtaining their best stories from the correspondence and pictures that these greats left behind. Starting with the late, great Walter Metrokin, continuing through the famous sea captain, Charlie Madsen, Alf Madson, Bill Poland, Pinnell and Talifson, and a host of others, Mr. Dodge has faithfully covered them all.

But most significantly, Harry Dodge has put human flesh on the story of Kodiak Island. He has revealed for the first time much of what has always remained a mystery to those who have visited the island. Mr. Dodge makes Kodiak Island come alive in this book and even allows the reader to feel the very salt mist that is so fondly regarded by all. The reader gets a true sense of the island that normally can be felt only by living there. Never mind, by the time one has read this book, he will know more about Kodiak Island than many who've spent years living there; and what is more, he will better understand the bears and those people who do live there.

Kodiak Island And Its Bears is a primer, a reader, a textbook for anyone interested in Kodiak, whether for hunting or otherwise. And it is a must for everyone who is serious about hunting the Kodiak Brown Bear. This is the most significant volume about Kodiak Island and its bears that has been published in at least twenty years. This book now stands to become a new classic for all time. 364 pages, carefully indexed, thoughtfully footnoted, and lavishly illustrated.