Still trying to find out about bear hunting around Eriksdale, MB and Pine Lake Outfitters. Thanks !

there are lot's of good sized black bears in Manitoba, and Eriksdale would be as good a place as any to find them. It's a couple hours drive NW of Winnipeg, and lies between Lake Winnipeg and Lake Manitoba. I don't know anything about Pine Lake Outfitters, however. FWIW - Dan

I don't know about Pine lake outfitters but I do know a good outfitter called sugarloaf outfitting that operates on the border of riding mountain park.It ia a small family run operation that is reasonably priced and produces good sized bears many of which are colored.If you are interested you can contact them by e-mail at reuben@mts.net or by phone at 204-546-2873.

Not sure exactly what you would like to know? However, I have been hunting bear in many parts of Manitoba for a number of years now. One thing to remember is when selecting a bear outfitter in MB the lattitude is often an indicator of bear size. The North/South location of Thompson is pretty much the dividing line between 5'-6' bears and +7' bears. South of Thompson a 5-6' bear is considered a good bear, with the odd bear reaching 7'. North of Thompson a 7' bear becomes the standard, with the odd bear reaching to 8'. Doesn't really matter which part of the province your in, you're pretty much assured of seeing a number of bears (over bait).

Actually some of manitobas biggest bears(and elk)come from the riding mountain park area.

Speak with any decent taxidermist in MB and they will all tell you the same thing. If you're looking for a place that consistantly takes +7' bears then you're going to want to be north of Thompson. There are 7' bears taken throughout the province, in fact the largest bbear in MB (+800lbs) was taken (with a Mazada) 60 miles north of Winnipeg. But if you want the big bears go north!

If someone truly wants an unbiased opinion of where the biggest bears in manitoba are found ,I suggest they search the latest edition of the boone&crocket record book for kills made recently in manitoba.You will find a few areas with several entries and most of these are in the southern part of manitoba.

Thanks for the replys. I really need to know about the outfitter. I called references and he sent some trail timer pictures after the spring season of a huge bear standing nearly a foot or mo
re above the bait barrel and two very nice ones a couple of goose hunters got in October. Buty I've been burned so many times I'm still nervious untill some one says they know ! I trust you guys on this forum.

Stubblejumper, as to Sugarloaf, I have hunted with them the last 5 years and taken nice bear each time including a big blond one, which is on the cover of their brochure. No one could ask for nicer people or a better place to hunt.But their price keeps going up(it's worth it) but by the time you figure the cost of the trip, licence, taxidermist ect, I just can't do it on my retirement salary. I would honestly hunt there for the rest of my life if I could. I'm going to get a part time job so I can go back 2005.(already booked)

I haven't missed a Spring season since 1970 and I don't want to miss in 2004. But it makes a guy nervious changing outfitters.I've really gotten burned a few times. So anything I can find out about Pine Lake Outfitters would be helpful. It too is a small operation, I like that, as I can get out with the guide and help bait scout, etc.

Stubblejumper,
Your obviously friends with or happy with outfitters in the sourthern portion of the province and wish to promote them. However, a person need only look at the 2002 MB Hunting/Fishing records for the year. Its free from MB Tourism. However, the idea that there are larger bears in the southern portion of the province is no different then saying jig heads are the best lure for fishing, because more fish are caught on jig heads then anything else. It may be true that more fish are caught on jig heads, but not because jig heads are better but simply because more people fish with jig heads. And thus, there are a number of bears that make the book from the south, mainly due to the fact that because of the 3000 bear tags issued yearly, over 80% are south of the 54 parallel. Irregardless, bear hunting anywhere in MB is excellent.

358 if your nervous about a new outfitter call Jim Tickner at the MLOA 204-268-1968 or BBB at 204-989-9010

Tikka300, thanks for the numbersI called the one fellow and he was super nice, said he was going to do some research for me and call back tomorrow.
You guys who are debating bear size - I've hunted both North middle and south MB and I've seen huge bears in all areas, just couldn't get a shot. I saw a 8" foot near cowan across lake winnepagus, another 8' in the east half of the Ducks and have been after a giant over 700lbs on the north side of riding mt. Thanks for all the help.

Good day,
Do you know the name of the guy who runs "Pine Lake Outfitters"? I have a friend that comes from that area but doesn't recognize that name, He probably knows his personal name though. Also if you need an outfitter from that area he' knows a couple of others. Let me know if you still need this information.
Mike

Mikehjd, sent you a pm will anxiously await your reply. Many thanks !

Stubble Jummper
You are right. The largest Black bear in North America are in the Riding Mountain National Park. My Dad was a Park Warden in the Riding Mountains for 35 years. He retired in 1980. Since then they have done studys on the bear in the Park and have collard some of the bear. Some gained over 200lbs through the summer and weighed over 850 lbs by fall. Dad recalls one bear a number of years ago that he saw, thought weighed over 1000 lbs. This can not be verrified. Dad has probably seen more bear than anyone I know of and is a very good judge of a bears size. He is 90 years old now and lived in the bush all his life. As for the largest elk, ask the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. I am an Outfitter on the edge of the Riding Mountains but am not looking for any bear hunters, as one group of hunters have booked my hunts for 10 years. I may be a little bias but you can check out some of these facts by getting in contact with the administration office in Clear Lake in Riding Mountain National Park and ask about Duke the Bear.