* Limited Historical Records: Records of bear hunting and size are not complete for California's history.
* Varying Measurement Methods: In the past, bear sizes might have been estimated, and different methods were used to measure, so comparisons are difficult.
* Focus on Trophy Hunting: Records often focused on the size of the bears hunted for trophies, rather than documenting the largest bears overall.
However, here are some notable examples:
* A 1920s bear: Some accounts claim a bear hunted in the 1920s, near Yosemite National Park, weighed over 1,000 pounds. This claim is difficult to verify.
* Modern-day records: The California Department of Fish and Wildlife doesn't keep records of the largest bears killed. However, they do document bears that are captured and tagged. The largest bear they've documented was over 700 pounds.
Important Note:
It's crucial to understand that hunting bears is a controversial topic. While some historical records exist, the focus should be on protecting these animals and ensuring their conservation.