I am thinking about going to Vancouver Island next spring for black bear, Anyone hunted there who can give me suggestions regarding bear population, terrain, good outfitters, etc?

Vancouver Island, no. Try going north Like Kitimat, Bella Coola, OR (paradise island) the Queen Charlottes. The bears are huge!

Well, Van Island is full of big bears. I've ogt two there myself.

I can't help you wiht outiftters, ans I usually just go myself for a couple of days, and i always have a great time.

Of course, the famous Jim Shockey guides there, as well as several other outfitters, i'm sure.

I'd say oany of them shoudl be able ot get you onto a decent bear.

Try GOABC website.

There are lots of Black Bears everywhere in B.C., including the various "suburban" cities around Vancouver proper. The point about Van. Is. is that the hunting is physically so easy, either spotting bears from a boat and then powering in, stepping out and, after an easy stalk, shooting them, or, driving along logging roads to find them munching the "greenup" at roadside....then, the hunter steps out and blasts the bear. This is not my idea of hunting, but, we need the buggers thinned out so I can live with it.

The Q.C.I. is a fascinating place, however, there are sometimes problems with the aggressive, racist Injuns, but, it would be my first choice for a really innteresting Black Bear hunt. It will cost more and be a bit more physically demanding, it's worth both problems.

Another fine hunting area, easy to drive to from anywhere in the USA, is the Kootenays; the hunting is physically demanding and very sporting, but, this is the finest, most beautiful part of B.C. with lots of bears and great cultural activities as well. You can combine a Grizzly hunt with the B.Bear, although this can be a bit pricey. Some options, anyway.

I hunted Jervis inlet with Brad Lister a few years ago and saw over 40 bears in 3 days. I shot a 6' 7" bear with a beutiful hide and it is now on my wall (rug) I believe he is in Shawnigan lake or Duncan.

I hunted with Brad Lister for spring bear in 98 and 99. I was one on one in 98 and in 99, we hunted three on one. We all got good and I got a great bear at sundown on the last day up Jervis Inlet! It was a single shot through the heart at 182 lasered yards. The boat ride back to camp took over 90 minutes and Brad pulled a six pack out of nowhere! Two great hunts with a great man and guide!!!