Black Bear

MANITOBA SPRING OR FALL BEAR $2400
Here is a very high success hunt that normally produces 2 or 3 sightings per evening for the hunters.  Bears typically average in the 250 pound class, but it is not uncommon for them to take bears over 400 pounds.  He has 16 permits total for either spring or fall hunts and success is near the same for either time. 

6-day hunt is $2,400 and includes the 5% tax, but hunters pay for a $310 license.  House accommodations in Hodgson, meals and pickup in Winnipeg is included.  Spring hunts are mid-May into early June and fall is the first 2 weeks of September.  Hunt BL44.  Pictures from this Hunt.

SOUTHEAST ALASKA COASTAL BLACK BEAR
AVERAGE AN AMAZING 7-FOOT
This outfitter meets his hunters in Ketchikan, only a 90 minute flight from Seattle, and transports them by boat to camp. Out of this land-based camp you will hunt the bays and estuaries in southeast Alaska in the early part of the season.  Guide and hunter move around in a 14-foot Lund boat looking for bears.  Later in the season many bears move back into the bush making beach hunting less productive and hunters have the option of hunting over pre-set bait stations.  Success generally runs 95% on this 5-day 2x1 hunt priced at $4,850 and the average bear taken has squared an amazing 7-foot or better with skulls in the 20-inch range.  He usually starts about April 22 and runs to about June 15.  Non-resident license is $85 and bear tag is $225. Arrive in Ketchikan on Friday, hunt Saturday to Wednesday and leave camp back to Ketchikan on Thursday, home on Friday.  Hunt BL247.  Pictures from this Hunt.

B.C. COASTAL BLACK BEAR
BY YACHT OR LODGE BASED
This outfitter has a 4,000 square mile area along the Pacific coastline in British Columbia.  In 2009 his boat hunts were 100% for 9 hunters, this includes archers and gun hunters and many took a second bear.  The first lodge based hunt was tough due to the late spring and only 2 of the 4 hunters connected on bears.  The next 2 hunts produced multiple bears for all 8 hunters.

Biologists place the northern coastal area as having the highest bear density in British Columbia and this area combines heavy salmon runs with a long growing season, producing big bears.  7 of the top 10 Boone and Crockett bears have come from this location and only 1 has come from Vancouver Island. 

The lodge consists of 4 bedrooms with each having their own bathroom.  It is located on the Skeena River and you can anticipate glassing from logging roads looking over lush green valleys brimming with creeks, waterfalls and snow-capped mountains, just awesome scenery.  6-days guided 2x1 starting second week of May into the first week of June guided 2x1 are $3,900. 

He also offers a hunt conducted off a 40-foot boat cruising over 400 miles of Pacific coastline.  Hunters can eat crab and pawn caught daily and prepared by the chef.  Hunters take a skiff to shore to stalk bears feeding along the beach or sometimes hike remote logging roads only accessible by boat.  This hunt runs from April 27 to May 25.  6-days guided 2x1 are $5,900 and 1x1 is $6,900.  Most bears are taken with bow and owners are serious archers and can accommodate bowhunters.  A second bear is $1,500 upon kill or wound.  Hunters are picked up in Terrace.  If you have a group of 2 or more, call for discount. 
Hunt BL473.  Pictures from this Hunt.

SPRING OR FALL HUNT CONTINUES 100% OPPORTUNITY
This Manitoba outfitter located in the Interlake Region was hampered by a cold spring that made for a sluggish start with overall sightings being down and his hunters experienced 4 wounded bears, but he continued to produce 100% opportunity for all his hunters.  Last spring 10 hunters scored on 8 bears, nothing huge as compared to 2008 when they took 3 bear over 350 pounds.  Fall hunts went 6 for 7 with the largest going 350 pounds and a 19 and a half-inch skull.  The unsuccessful hunter, a repeat customer, passed on over 20 different bears holding out for a massive chocolate bear they had been seeing on trail camera, but he turned nocturnal.

6-day lodge hunts are $2,700 plus 5% tax, $310 license and airport pickup in Winnepeg is included.  Spring hunts are mid-May into June and fall dates are early September.  2010 spring season is booked full, but there were still fall openings at press time. HCU’s Bob Wodzisz has been in these camps. 
Hunt BL372.  Pictures from this Hunt.

NEWFOUNDLAND 2 BEAR LIMIT $2120 INCLUDES LICENSES/TAX
This 6-day bait hunt is priced at $2,120 and INCLUDES $120 license for 2 bears and 6% tax.  A second bear can be hunted with a $500 kill or wound fee.  Hunts run from early June to the first week of July.  Comfortable cabin accommodations with good meals and non-hunters are welcome for only $500.

They experienced a very cold late spring in 2009 contributing to the poor success on only 6 of 10 hunters scoring. This hunt has typically been 100% past years on some monster bears weighing in at over 500 pounds and averaging over 300.  Last year the top bears went just over 300.  It was a very unusual spring in 2009 and we expect the success and sizes to improve for 2010.  Hunters fly into Deer Lake on Saturday, take a taxi to the Deer Lake Motel, overnight and are picked up the following morning.  Hunt BL94.  Pictures from this Hunt.

$3000 ALBERTA HUNT WITH 2 BEAR LIMIT
Here is a very small personal outfitter that only takes a few hunters each spring.  Last year his 7 hunters scored on 11 bruins, with the largest literally breaking his 500 pound capacity hoist.  Some hunters preferred to take only one bear and 3 that were taken were off-colored.

Most bears harvested average 6 to 6 1/2-foot, but they take several in the 7-foot class and have taken them over 8-foot.  Most baited stands are set for a 22-yard bow shot for archers or gun hunters.  Accommodations are a 12’ by 50’ house trailer with all meals and guiding included.  He runs three 6-day hunts priced at $3,000 plus $600 for a second kill and $150 license from Monday to Saturday starting May 5 and finishing on the 24th.  Hunters fly to Edmonton and rent a car for the 3 hour drive north or airport pickup is $60 per hunter.  Hunt BL975.  Pictures from this Hunt.

BRITISH COLUMBIA SPOT AND STALK BEAR $3250
This wilderness hunt takes place about 200 miles north of Prince George on Uslika Lake.  Beautiful scenery combined with some fishing just out the cabin door makes for a very memorable hunt.  British Columbia does not allow baiting, so the main method of hunting is driving logging roads and glassing clear-cuts or watching feeding areas.

This hunt continues 100% opportunity with nearly the same success rate.  The unsuccessful hunters are typically looking for a monster and pass on several bears.  Bears normally average 6 to 6 1/2 foot with several taken each spring going over 7-foot.  In the spring of 2009 he had 5 hunters and they scored on 6 bears.  Only one hunter with a second tag did not score.

These 5-day hunts guided 2x1 are $3,250.  A second bear can be hunted for $500 with a $500 kill fee.  He runs up to 3 spring hunts taking only about 5 to 15 hunters per year starting May 13 and finishing June 6.  Hunters are met at Prince George.  No charter flights.  License and tags are $165 each plus 6% tax. 
Hunt BL4.  Pictures from this Hunt.

HUNT MANITOBA’S LARGEST BLACK BEARS
This outfitter runs his operation up against one of the largest national parks in Manitoba.  Hunting is prohibited in the park and by baiting he pulls lots of big bears into his area.  On his spring hunts the average bear taken weighs in at 350 pounds and on the fall hunts an amazing 450 pounds.  They have taken several in the 600 pound class and the largest weighted an amazing 711 pounds.  He has 15 tags that can be used in the spring or fall and stands are setup for archery hunters. 

Spring hunts are the first 2 weeks of June and the fall hunt is the last week of August and first week of September.  6-day hunt is $3,800 with nice lodge accommodations, meals and GST.  License is $320 plus $25 Canadian gun fee.  Fly into Winnipeg and rent a car for the 2 hour drive.  Hunt BL204. 
Pictures from this Hunt.

BOAT HUNT IN ALASKA’S PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND
The islands just south of Valdez are known for a very high concentration of trophy class black bears.  The outfitter bases off his 50-foot yacht with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths.  Last spring his 18 hunters took 17 boars with the biggest squaring 7 and a half foot and the smallest went 6-foot.  The unsuccessful hunter had sight impairment and missed several shots.

This outfitter strives on harvesting nothing but large male bears.  This is not only a trophy black bear hunt but you get a glacier cruise, whale watching and otter viewing thrown in for free.     

5-day hunt takes place in May and early June, no Sunday hunting.  Permanent tree stands 12 to 14 feet high are setup for both gun and bow hunters.  They also have numerous ground blinds that offer more comfort with longer shots.

Main lodge with 3 cabins is located on Palfrey Lake.  Cabins can accommodate up to 6 hunters.  Meals and guide service included.

Although they do not guide fishermen, they provide you with boats, motors and gas at no additional cost.  You need to bring your own life jackets and fishing tackle.  During the day you can try your luck with landlocked salmon, smallmouth bass, white perch and pickerel, before heading out for your afternoon bear hunt.  Bear license $148, fishing 3-day $25, 7-day $40.  Fly to Portland International or Banger and rent a car.  Hunt BLNB322.  Pictures from this Hunt.

They have 14 highly trained hounds coupled with very experienced handlers.  You will get to participate in the hunt by helping your guide handle the dogs.  They use state of the art telemetry tracking equipment.  Hunters have the opportunity to size up the bear with the help of an experienced guide and you are under no obligation to shoot a bear that does not meet your standards.  October hunters can pack a shotgun for grouse at no extra charge.

He also offers a 5-day fall baited hunt for $1,600 in the Rangeley Lakes region in September.  In 2009, 30 hunters took 20 bears. 

Both hunts include lodge accommodations with bunk rooms or private rooms for couples.  Fly to Portland International or Bangor Airport and rent a car.  Hunt BLME322.  Pictures from this Hunt.