This will be my 3rd and final attempt for bear in Maine.

goin with an outfit called Allagash Outfitters... it's within sight of the Canadian border just on the St; Johns river.

anyone else heading north?

Do you go to Maine because of the price?
The average size of bears shot in the north east is quite small. With the Odd huge bear bringing up the average weight.
there are a lot of outfitters who are 100% on opportunity and that is not on 150 lb bears either.

Good luck I hope you connect.

Awwwh bs! Anyone that's gone three times
surely isn't going to quit already!!

Good luck, hope you get a couple dandies! Be sure to share the results with us.

George

quote:

Originally posted by chilcotin hillbilly:
Do you go to Maine because of the price?
The average size of bears shot in the north east is quite small. With the Odd huge bear bringing up the average weight.
there are a lot of outfitters who are 100% on opportunity and that is not on 150 lb bears either.

Partly the price, yes, but my hunting partner is planning on retiring to rural Maine so he wanted to get a look at the different areas of the state, also it is within reasonable driving distance with 2 drivers.(15 hrs. also there is no lottery or draw in Maine for bear. Plus, there are more bear than deer in the state of Maine. the population estimate is over 30,000 bears, so they need killin.. that's my community service.

And yes, the average bear weight for the entire state of Maine is only 125 pounds, with the odd heavyweight. Pennsylvania on the other hand has some big blackies. I lived and hunted in PA for over 50 years and have seen some big-uns.. Never hunted them in Pa though, the season was too short, and the bears that are taken there are usually from humongous drives.

I have hunted birds with Allagash outfitters a couple of times and have enjoyed the hunts. They seem to know the area well and are nice people. Food was good and ample. Hope you enjoy your hunt.

Thanks Edod, that's good to know.

You know Sean just recently sold the place to Brandon Lane. I hope he operates as well as Sean.

Good luck! I used to hunt black bear in the Adirondack Mountains of New York and there are some monster bears in there. Hard to hunt still hunting, but what a blast! Hunted black bear with dogs in New Mexico with Lil Joe's outfit, both my boys got bears the youngest got a real nice one. It gets in your blood.

Fine pelt there Chuck, though those ears look plenty big too.
Glad you filled your tag. Too many don't do that.
George

I did not know that the lodge had changed hands. As you said, I hope that the new owner runs it as well as Sean did. I guess, I will find out in October. Best of luck with your bear hunt. Would love an update when you get back.

I'm heading to North Country Lodge on September 3 for a week.

let us know how you make out.

i've only ever bear hunted in PA and absolutely love the bear drives 10-25 guys and we go to town although now that it opens up saturday a lot more guys are sitting and hoping to catch something before/after a drive goes through the area and some seem to ahve decent luck that way.

Will do.

Well, we are back, and no bear... There were 4 bears taken in the camp (14 hunters). 2 respectable (for Maine) 0ver 250 pounders and two average 100 - 125 pounders...
Baits were hit everyday, just not when we were there.

This was my LAST bear hunt over bait.. sitting in the woods for 7 hours staring at a barrel full of donuts is not my idea of fun.. I'd much prefer spot and stalk, calling, or even a game drive than this sit and stare.. it drove me batty.

We did see plenty of moose and a few coyotes. I'll try for a moose tag again next year.

To warm maybe? No push for them to come get all they can as fast as they can when it doesn't feel like denning time.

Recommend you try Lil Joe Troyer in New Mexico. Ty was our guide and he was great. A five day hunt with dogs, it is exciting. It is strenous once the dogs tree a bear getting to them. Rugged country. Camp is basic, people are awesome. Both my boys got bears, the youngest got the bigger one.





http://liljoesbiggamehunts.com/

quote:

Originally posted by 577NitroExpress:
I'm heading to North Country Lodge on September 3 for a week.

I hunted with them 2 years ago... didn't get a bear then either, but I was impressed with his operation. he used a good variety of baits, baited the stands regularly, meals, accommodation, his entire operations I felt was very professional.

a few things I didn't like, like no guns in the lodge, you had to leave them in the car... No TV.. and I thought he took on too many hunters at a time, but that being said, i would hunt with them again.

and Chuck375: I'm way too old and out of shape to be chasing hounds through the woods! But thanks!