Adam,

Well, I've been bear hunting 35-36 years now.......bit of an obsession w/me........the inland grizzly I put at #1 for me is one that is a resident of the far north of AK......that bear is smaller, has a tough time making a living in that hard land, and shares the same terrain as the Dall's sheep.......I watched one once, early in the morning on a Sept. day, as he scrapped a berry patch on the side of a mountain in the Brook's......the morning sun had him all a-glow......then, for whatever reason, he took off and ran 600-700meters straight up the mountain, turned around and ran back to his patch......power, speed, and freedom.......what a picture I have in my mind of that day.

#2, the coastal grizzly(brownie), is huge, powerful, and resides in equally forboding country;country as intimidating as the animal you're hunting; alder jungles, areas of rain, snow, ice, and high winds for days at a time, coastal mountains, etc.
A grand trophy, it's tough to find a really big one now-a-days.

I'm not sure if that's an answer, but I really obsess over the bears. My #4 choice needs a bit of explanation.......only Canadian black bears need apply......there are some nice black bear in AK, but not like in Canada.......if you allow yourself the time(most important), research your choice of areas and guides, a really big black bear is a very real possibility in Canada.

Maybe my choices are based on the country they're in, too.......after discussing some of those picures of yours with you, big mule deer would replace the elk on my list.

Spring bear are out walking a bit here now....snowed 6cm + here today...next month should be fun.......my Zodiac is ready and my 27 year old son w/the strong back is going along.......he's not a bear hunter, but a hell of a packer.

Take care,

Joe