Bears often suffer from "ground shrinkage" when recovered at the end of a successful hunt. Here are a few more tips to avoid this from happening:
Look for a ferrul on the skull between the ears. A bear with this dip has a large skull and is probably a "keeper"
Also bigger male's snout may appear to be short or pug- nosed.
Bigger bears will walk like big bears, more of a swagger than young bears.
Lastly, imagine yourself, or someone whose weight you know, on all fours next to the bear. If it makes your 300 pound friend look small (take the hair into account), it's a good one.<img src=icon_smile_approve.gif border=0 align=middle>