OK, since I'm going to be tied up this Spring I went ahead & booked a Black Bear hunt in Pinawa Manitoba for this October. The weather looks very dry & this looks good for me as the bears will be hitting the crap out of the bait.

Anyone done the bow hunting over bait for black bears before? This will be my first time so I'm just looking for any recommendations on what to bring, etc.

Well, October around the Pinawa/Lac Du Bonnet area can be cold (doesn't mean it will be, just that it can). There are some huge black bears in that area, I have lot's of relatives there and we used to see them wandering through the farm yards quite often, and they would scrap with the dogs at night. If the weather forecast is cool, bring layered lighter clothing that you can peel off and put on easily, it's no trick to have a 40 degree temperature swing throughout the day at that time of year. Good luck to you. - dan

Dan thanks for the help. Do you know about the Wolf population around the area? I'd really like to try an electronic caller on Wolfs atleast one day of the hunt.

Take a bug jacket, I know it sounds silly but I mean it. If you have a warm spell the blackflies will drive you crazy. They seldom bite this time of year but they still get up your nose and in your eyes and ears.And if you get mad at them and take a big deep breath just before you swat at them you'll probably aspirate one too.

Shoot straight.

If the weather is fairly warm things will probably be OK.....if it is cool in October the bears can slow down considerably.

Electronic Calls are prohibited for use on big game animals under Manitoba hunting regulations.

Timberwolves have a dual status in Manitoba as both as a trappable furbearing animal (residents only) and as a big game animal.

So, if you are actively hunting, which if in posession of a firearm and in an area where hunting is allowed and have an electronic caller actively broadcasting or in posession, then you are hunting big game with an electronic caller and subject to all sorts of fines and legal sanctions.....

My suggestion...leave it at home.

But as far as hunting bear, it's one of the best area's in Manitoba to go hunting, hope you have a great time.

It is not unusual for a wolf to come in to a bait site. I have seen it numerous times and had hunters kill wolves at their bear bait.

As Maltese Falcon said, leave the electronic call at home.

X3 on the electric call, but there are lots of wolves around there. We had two dogs ripped up by wolves over the years, and shot quite a few on the northern quarter (which is only 20 miles or so from Pinawa). - dan