Not all states have long hunting dates. For example, in AZ most "drawn" big game hunts are 7 days. This is true for both residents and non-residents. Lots of bull elk die every year to "anemic" calibers such as 270 Win, 308 Win, and 30-06. Plenty are wounded, and never recovered, by the magnum 7s, 300s, and 338s.

Far too many people cannot handle the recoil for their existing firearms. Go to a shooting range and watch. A sizable portion of the shooters will be flinching at some point. This can be due to anticipating recoil or the boom from a muzzle break. Take a closer look at what calibers they are shooting. Most won't be magnum calibers. If a person cannot accurately and repeatedly shoot a non-magnum caliber (ex: 270 Win) in a controlled environment, can they honestly expect to shoot a magnum caliber accurately in a high stress environment? For some the answer is yes but most people cannot. They will pull the trigger and pray. I purposefully used "pull" and not "squeeze".

Placement trumps caliber. A .277" bullet in the heart or lungs tends to yield more success than a .338" bullet in the stomach or hindquarters. Hunters usually will be better served by practicing more under hunting scenarios than practicing less with a harder hitting caliber.

Find a rifle that fits, choose a caliber between 6.5mm and .308, and a round that the rifle shoots well and can deliver a clean ethical kill in the expected terrain and distances. I personally use a Savage FCSS in 300 Win Mag for bull elk.

This combo above works great in Montana also, so does a .270 Win. with 150 grain Partitions.

The last time I hunted New Mexico, quite a few years back, they mandated a 180 gr bullet. It was an Indian reservation. I had loaded some 165 grain so had to buy factory ammo there. It is my observation that a 150 grain is fine as long as I put it in the right place.

So I am finishing listening to the podcast on the bear attack in Alaska and one thing he talks about that is interesting is that he was using a creed. He said had he been the guy shooting the bear he worries about the creeds ability to preform on bear. Now I think a creed shot is better than nothing. But my new general rule is that I want a caliber capable of quickly killing any animal I could encounter while hunting. That way, heaven forbid, if someone in my party gets attacked, I don’t have to worry about what caliber I picked

very true, the bigger the better where there is dangerous game, put a brake on it and shoot it...

One more reason I regret getting rid of my 454 Alaskan. Not that I’ll ever be in big bear county.

Brings to mind the story several years back about the guy who shot a grizz point blank with a 44 mag revolver, bang flop dead right there. A creed has way more juice than a 44 mag.

Stick the right bullet in it, one that WILL penetrate expand and do what it is supposed to and I would have no regrets. I'd take my 270 and 150 grain partitions on any hunt in American and not feel under gunned. Probably say the same for a creed and a heavy for cal partition or any bullet of similar construction.

The podcast is called the hunting collective. Very interesting to listen to... coming away with some solid things to figure out to help prepare for bad things while hunting. Espically in real outdoor like Alaska

I have hunted black bear in grizzly country. Although a black bear can be taken with a common deer rifle I have way more respect for the grizzly, and my life, to risk being under gunned. Always carried at least a 300 WM and usually a 338 WM. Didn't have my 30-378 Weatherby back then or I would have carried it. Had a Ruger Super Blackhawk 44 mag with hot rifle loads for backup but that was only for last minute, in your face use. Kept a 444 Marlin in the truck in case I had to go after a wounded bear in black timber, wouldn't trust the 44 mag for that either.
Saw a grizzly chase and pull down a young elk....lots of respect....

7mm rem mag for flat trajectory and FPE

Yelp got to watch out for those 1500lb Rocky Mountain elk and those 2000lb lower 48 grizzlies.

My buddy who lives in Alaska carries a lightweight 300WM and 180g partitions for everything..
Dall sheep up high to Kodiak..

I had another guy from Alaska out hunting a few weeks ago and he carried a Tikka 270WSM for Dall sheep excursions and a 375 for Moose/Bear