Any good books on the history of trapping bears in Alaska, particularly in SE?

Not that I am aware of. I did read an old book about a fellow that worked for lumber companies in Washington State that trapped and hunted bears for them almost year-round, killing well over 1000 black bears. Un-fortunately, I don't remember the title or author. Maybe Ken or Pete will know.

My buddy found a bear trap years ago on Baranof. Had a big tree growing thru it. Spent all day chopping it down with a hatchet and got the trap. Fascinating.

Probably Education of a Bear Hunter by Ralph Flowers

I agree with bearcat2.... sounds like the Ralph Flowers book.

There was an old-time WA state bear trapper who lived in Fairbanks many years. The late Sam Snyder had some great stories. Sam also did a bunch of 10-80 work on wolves when he first came to AK for the USFWS.

Pete

bearcat, I think you are right.

Another pretty decent book on old time bear hunters/trappers in Washington is Born Under a Stump. Can't remember the author, but it is about Bill Hulet who is the guy who Ralph Flowers learned from. More hound hunter and less trapper, but he did both and ended up selling his last pack of dogs to Ralph Flowers when he was getting too old to hunt.