I am looking at hunting in Canada for Black Bear.
I have the following questions;
Best time of year?
I am looking for a good outfitter (quality people and equipment) who can put me where the action is. I want comfortable but not fancy accomodations (tents are fine). Someone who has a balance between price, service and product.
Anyone have some suggestions?
Thanks

Get hold of Michael. He runs a very profesional operation.

No Wimp Outfitter

There are lots of good outfitters in Manitoba and Sask.Late April/early May would be the best.Mark

Go in the spring.

Msot black bear hutns don't need to be extreme. I would imagine that you would probably be staying in some sort of structure. There is still alot of snow in the high country that time of year, so I doubt it would be a pack horse trip!

Try Eric at http://www.niut.com/hunting/h_index.html

Eric is a good guy. Tell him Clarke says Hi..

If you go in the spring, you want to go as early as you can, because the coats are prime. Bears will be smaller then though, and a late spring could ruin your hunt. Try Bird River Outfitters in Manitoba, there are some big blackies wandering around there. - Dan

http://coastalinletadventures.com/

I hunted with Brad Lister twice and got great animals each time!!! I have only the very best to say about Brad, the camp, the area, and the game!!! Go in the spring, around the first two weeks in May. Ask Brad about the seven footer we took just before sundown on the last day of my second hunt with him. I have been on a few other hunts and Brad is way better than other guides and outfitters.
Good Hunting!!!
Jeff in Texas

Good Information thanks.
Anyone with info on sites a little further east. (just want to compare)

What do you want? Big bear? Baited bear? Stalked bear? Is one enough or do you want two? Want to spend US$2500 or US$4500?

Plenty of choices if you tell us what you have in mind.

Frans

At this point;

Stalked bear

One will probably suffice

I like the idea of a combo with Moose

Given the choice between 2500 or 4500 I choose 2500, 2800-3500 is a good range.(of course it depends on what I'm getting for the price)

Hi .44 We have some dates still available for spring bear.We are in B.C. so all our hunts are spot & stalk.
If you are interested perhaps you can pm your contact info.
Regards
Allan

The difference between a US$2500 hunt and a US$4500 hunt is not only in the material your bed is made of. If you were looking for a real good chance on a real good bear, you might want to consider Vancouver Island. The outfitter I know does spot and stalk, but knows what his bears are worth, at least to some.

If you want a moose combo, you're "stuck" with the fall, when there mostly isn't any baiting going on. Plenty of food around in the fall (berries e.g.). Chances on a bear are smaller, and you have a lesser quality hide.

If I were to choose a spring bear hunt, I'd try to get away from the crowds. That means boarding a charter and get dropped off at a remote camp. And I'd try to find an outfitter with a limited number of camps and hunters per camp. You'll notice the difference in the average size of the bear. And probably the price goes up a bit too, but not necessarily too much.

I know a lot people don't like the idea of baiting. I'm not to keen on spending hours in a tree myself. Please keep in mind though that many socalled "spot and stalk" hunts, should actually be called "drive and stalk". I've known outfitters to drive people over 300km per day along forest roads, because that is where the grass is greenest, and the bears most likely to show themselves. All of a sudden sitting in that tree in the fresh air doesn't sound so bad anymore.

Good luck with your search. If you want to know more about some of the options available, e-mail me.

Frans

In BC, we do spot and stalk only.

Yes, we often take our trucks along forest roads, but that is often where the bears are.

What I do, is find a good area with a bit of scouting.

Then, I park the truck and walk along the roads, stopping and glassing as I go. When I see a bear, I decide if it's big, and if not, I move on.

You can use your truck as a tool, as I do, acesing areas and then walking, or youcan use it as a hunting platform, and jump out and shoot a bear you see.

I prefer using it as a tool, as when you creep aong on foot, you have a longer opportunity to asess the bear, and you get abit of excercise. When the bear is down (SHOOT THEM UPHILL!!!!) You go get the truck..

I don't condemn anyone for baiting, but it simply is not for me.

I will probably use a 500gr hornady Interlock. 72 grains of IMR4895
At 1980 - 2000 fps. (for the black bear)

Extremely accurate.
I have used the same load on deer.

Anyone heard of
The Bear Company/ Savage encounters