Do you guys have brown and or grizzle bears up high in Canada. I know you have polar bears way up at the N. pole but are there any other big bears around?
Would I have to go to Alaska? Do they have hunting seasons for them in Canada? Thanks!

Jro, I am sure you will get several good answers here but might I suggest that you drop in to http://www.huntingbc.ca and ask there as well. The best population for Grizz is in BC and there are guided hunts for those from out of Province. The guys at that site will know all of the guides and outfitters and recommend only the good ones. derf

There is a good population of grizzly bears in British Columbia that can be hunted by non residents using an outfitter.

Coastal bears (brown/grizz and black) can be had too, I know one outfitter who operates out of Campbell River, Vancouver Island, BC, and takes you on a boat ride. The browns/grizz are hunted on the mainland coast obviously as there are no grizz on Vancouver Island.

No grizz for non-residents in Alberta (and hardly any for residents )

Frans

If, you want to hunt Grizzlies here in B.C., be advised that it is NOT inexpensive. There are lots of bears, too many in some areas, but the cost of getting one is high.

You can find really large Grizzlies anywhere in B.C., but, the biggest ones on average come from the north coast and are, in one area, the same as Alaska Grizzlies in size, etc. I do not know any of the Guide-Outfitters in that region and it is very tough hunting, but, check http://www.goabc.org for a list of outfits in that region and then go to their websites.

If, you simply want a decent, representative Grizzly, go to Stone Mountain Safaris or Big Nine Outfitters aka High and Wild. These are two of the very best outfits in B.C. and are in easier country than the coast; I have seen a whack of Grizzlies in their areas in recent years and they will get you a bear and treat you well.

There are also a lot of gorgeous Grizzlies in the Kootenays, including white ones, but this area is very tough hunting and you need to be in very good shape, have a first class guide and it's still hard hunting. Lancaster-Fontana and Stephen Luenberger(sp) as well as Sean Beswick of Rocky Mountain High (I think) Outfitters are good choices as is Gary Hansen, from everything I hear, from people I trust.

The quotas for Grizzlies are small here and some guys may not have any.If, you are going to do this, do it soon as Grizzly hunting for non-residents is on the way out and the next moratorium will be permanent. Actually, I doubt that there is even a decade of non-resident alien hunting left in B.C., so, do it now.

Kutenay nailed it. If you follow his advice above you will not go wrong.

Cheers,
Canuck

Thanks for the info guys. I'll talk it over with my hunting buddy.

Do that and, if you decide to come to B.C., let us know and we may be able to assist you in certain respects. Hunting here is bloody expensive, even for we residents, but it can be the hunt of your lifetime, IF, you go with the right guys and have the right gear. I cannot stress strongly enough to get into the best physical condition you possibly can, B.C. is harsh country.

quote:

I cannot stress strongly enough to get into the best physical condition you possibly can, B.C. is harsh country.

Kutenay, that is a good point. Should probably be a motto for those of us providing advice, etc.

I only comment on this topic as I was just recently reminded of it. Was just talking with a friend of mine that guided in the Kootenays this fall...mostly elk/mule deer/goat combos.

He had one hunter that got in 1 good hunting day out of 10. The first day on horseback did him in...couldn't walk anymore...just truck hunting for the rest of the trip.

He also said that his usual average held true again...on a 10 day hunt they typically get three "climbs" out of the average client. So they are very judicious in any hiking or stalking they do.

In contrast a guy in "sheep shape" can do two "climbs" a day. Makes a huge difference in potential success.

Its an aweful shame to miss productive hunting days when your time is limited and especially if its a major financial outlay.

Cheers,
Canuck

Damn good point....I am in good shape and all I was on in BC was a black bear hunt but it was not easy going.....(in my behalf we were with the "Walker" of the guides.)
Prior to going on my hunt I added to my normal work out.
I lifted weights 2x, joged and rode a bike every week.
To this I added 45 minutes on an elipitical trainer (stair stepper from hell) and on every Friday (6weeks) I walked with a full 30lb pack and 9 lb pole (a gun would cause a stir) for 5 miles at a average of 4.5 miles per hour.

After actually walking at altitude and on the gently rolling hills of BC I would call this a little above minimum.

Since my return I now do all of this as a base level, and when I go again I will add 20 minutes to everything.

If you do not regularly ride a horse do not underestimate the extreme pain this involves to the untrained butt.....the first day of 5-6 hours is not too unbearable....it is the next day of 5-6 hours that will rupture your lower colon........I should know I have the scars to prove it.

http://www.takusafari.com
Guy Anttila, very big "interior" class bears. But very pricy. There are hunts in AK for the "coastal" bears that are cheaper. But if I were to book a hunt in B.C. I would have to seriously consider the above outfitter!

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Originally posted by jro45:
Where are the Grizzles at in Canada?

BC, Yukon, NWT, & Alberta

in that order...

Have they opened the NWT to grizz?

I believe it is one per lifetime -residents only in NWT.

I hunted with the Hoopers who outfit Tukii Lodge. I went in the Fall and shot a 20year old boar that squared 8ft. We got him on the Babine River spotting and stalking. Dave Hooper still chagres his hunts in Canadian funds. Hard woring outfitter with quit a few bears in his area.

According to Gatehouse, here in BC they are behind every tree waiting to pounce!