The country music star appeared on "American Country Countdown" with Ryan Fox last week, where he addressed criticism that poured in after he shared photos from a 10-day hunting trip in the Alaskan wilderness.CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE FROM OUTKICK"I caught so much flak for shooting this bear," Johnson said."Whereas people in Alaska, they praised it, because when you don’t control a predator population like a grizzly bear, it can get out of control really fast."Cody Johnson performs onstage during the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., on May 17, 2026.
(John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM)Johnson's hunt was, of course, entirely legal and conducted during one of Alaska's regulated brown bear seasons.The singer said wildlife officials in Alaska explained to him the impact grizzly bears can have on moose and caribou populations."A statistic is that a male grizzly bear eats between 120 and 150 calves a year — being moose or caribou — so the moose and caribou populations are suffering, and they’re having to really regulate hunting on them."The comments came after Johnson shared photos from what he called the "trip of a lifetime," drawing thousands of reactions from fans.
While many congratulated the ACM Entertainer of the Year winner, others criticized the hunt and questioned the ethics of killing a grizzly bear.The debate surrounding grizzly hunting tends to extend beyond simple questions of legality.Alaska allows tightly regulated brown bear hunts and issues a limited number of permits each year.
Supporters argue that hunting helps fund conservation efforts through license and tag fees while also serving as a wildlife management tool in areas where predator populations can impact other species.TWO HIKERS CAPTURE TERRIFYING VIDEO OF CHARGING GRIZZLY BEARS AT GLACIER NATIONAL PARKCritics, however, often contend that grizzly bears occupy a unique place among North America's wildlife.Some oppose hunting apex preda...