It sounds strange, but it's true - you can hunt for polar bears. The polar bear is a massive beast - reaching a weight of over 1320lbs, he's on par with a Kodiak. And, given his propensity for withstanding the worst nature has to offer, he's just as formidable as any of the other large bears out there.

Those who've done it, say the polar bear hunt is the toughest in the world. Generally, polar bear hunting expeditions are run from mid February to late April. With temperatures regularly bottoming out around -40?F, it's easy to see why. You'll need to be at the absolute peak of fitness to stand up to the elements, and you'll have to apply for some special permits before you go.

The good news is, there are scores of outfitters specializing in polar bear hunting trips. Some fly you near to the site you'll hike toward, others lay on snowmobiles to get you to the right area - in either case, once you get to camp, you'll have a tent and a pack stove and little else to protect yourself from the arctic air.

To avoid disappointment, look for outfitters who are open about the number of hunters they've led to success and brush up on the legalities of bringing your trophy home.

One of the best ways to get the bear you dream of is to learn how to judge his size in the field. The biggest bears live in the prime real estate of any given hunting zone - smaller bears live on the fringes of these areas for their own protection, and are often easier to find because larger bears occupy the best hiding places.

To judge your bear's size, watch him move. Big bears show no hesitation or fear in their movement - they're practically cocky. Now consider the scale of things - how good are you at judging distances? A small bear near to you will look bigger than a large bear at a distance - experts recommend you get as close as you can to the bear before making your decision.

The older a bear is, the heavier he will appear. A big, mature bear will have a snout that's broader, longer and deeper than any small or female bear around. Similarly, his ears will be set more to the sides than the top of his head. And you'll notice the biting muscles bulging behind his forehead. Finally, big bears have massive front shoulders - with a wrist, foot and forearm that are all the same width.

All too often, a hunter comes back disappointed because they lined up a good shot and watched the bear skin rug of their dreams limp off into the distance. While you could argue the toss as to whether or not the shot they chose was the right one, one thing that hunters often underestimate is the importance of packing enough fire power when going after the mighty bear.

Experts agree that a rifle needs to be at least a .300 for you to achieve success in the field. Further, experienced bear hunters recommend bolt-action rifles for their reliability - with the .338 Winchester coming near the top of most lists of favorite bear hunting weaponry.

While we're on it, a note about taking that bear shot. Many books and articles will tell you to aim for the shoulder, which will theoretically knock the bear down so you can take it out. Real experts, veteran bear hunters and outfitters will tell you that a better shot is through the lungs, every time.