As far as Kodiak bears, yes it has to come from the Kodiak Archipelago to be considered as such. It is technically just a brown bear, the same as the peninsula or Kenai Penninsula. While I haven't hunted those areas, I've taken a couple bears in central alaska and will say the big ones are coastal. My two came from the mountains, and while very respectable, pale in comparison to the salmon fed bears of the coast. I'd vote fall for opportunity and hide quality. IN the spring you have to catch them before they rub, or they'll have poor fur. Both of my bears came from October and have very soft thick coats.