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 -40¼F, 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.