The Alaskan brown bear may be the toughest animal to hunt in North America. The beasts grow to enormous size, well over 1,000 lbs., and an errant shot may cause the bear to charge, as you’ll see in this video.

The physical elements of an Alaskan hunt make the quest extra challenging — like sudden, raging storms, dense alders that tear at bowstrings and deflect arrows, quicksand along streams, and the intense remoteness of the hunt. Like a double-edged sword, each element intensifies the experience, yet can transform euphoria into despair.

Watch as this hunter stalks within easy bow range of the trophy of a lifetime, only to miss. Fortunately, he gets a second chance.

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