Hey all,
While talking to my hunting buddy the subject of going on a guided hunt came up. I brought up going on a HOG hunt and he liked the idea but he also mentioned a Black Bear hunt. Neither of us had any idea as to what a bear hunt would cost.
I don't have any idea if it would be more affordable to hunt bear in Alaska or in Canada. We don't need a luxurious lodge to stay and sleep in or 5 star meals. We are on a budget.
Can you all give me some kind of idea as to what a Black Bear hunt would cost? Which is better, Alaska or Canada? Would the hunting all be from a baited stand or would we have any spot and stalk opportunities?
Thanks for your time and help.
Nala
http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=065607
:readit: :thumbsup:
A real good hunt in Maine will cost you 1250.00 with a good chance at a 200#er or above.In this camp you will see little fellers but if you wait youll get a 200+ bear.Nice cabins, guided with blinds or stands baited.Awesome brook trut fishing in the AM too.I killed a 290lber with them as well as a smaller one my first year there.This year I got a moose with them.Let me know if you need more info.
Izzy
QuoteOriginally posted by herkimerhunter:
A real good hunt in Maine will cost you 1250.00 with a good chance at a 200#er or above.In this camp you will see little fellers but if you wait youll get a 200+ bear.Nice cabins, guided with blinds or stands baited.Awesome brook trut fishing in the AM too.I killed a 290lber with them as well as a smaller one my first year there.This year I got a moose with them.Let me know if you need more info.
Izzy
Wow, that sounds like a great deal. Does that include lodging, and meals?
Dont forget BearQuest!! right here at Tradgang. Check out the last couple years.
Went on a guided black bear hunt in Ontario (North of Michigan's UP) this year for around $1700 which included everything but gas. It was a blast even though I didn't see a bear. Just bad luck I guess as 4 out of 6 were successful. Three guys shot bears with bows (two were Pope and Young bears). Another guy shot one with a rifle and the last guy saw a couple bears but couldn't get a shot. I was the only one shooting a recurve, but the stand sites could be set up as close as you wanted. It was a remote camp on logging roads and the guide provided all of the camping gear and cooked all of the meals, which were fantastic, along with tons of food to snack on. He has 800,000 acres in his bear management units and he baits 30 some stands. If you don't see any bears in a couple of days, he'll move you and keep moving you. Send me a PM if you would like contact info. I think he said he may reduce the price to around $1500 Canadian. Our group is planning on going back in 2010.
$1800-$6000,,, it all depends.
All that matters is that you spend your money "smart"... Go hunt where the bears are thick. I spent years trying to kill a bear "close" to home. I spent twice what a single Canda trip would have cost.
Canada is by far the best value for a black bear hunt. If it is your first hunt book a hunt over bait. Plenty of bears and more time to calm down and wait for "your" bear.
Contact Mark at Bowhunting Safari.. He has never recommended a guide that wasn't the best.. I've been hunting with BSC for years without a single issue what so ever.
John III
canada is much cheaper than alaska, canada on the low side, semy do it your self(guide baits to you get there then you do everything there after,baiting ,camping ,setting stands,ect... starts around $800-900 a week thats was to an from with tags an license about 5yrs ago. Ron Henry was the guy we hunted with its hard work but fun
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Link to my Idaho bear hunt this past spring. Last minute deal I found on the forbidden auction site. Cost $1500.00 plus transportation getting there.
$1250 in Caramat Ontario. Nice lodge but we did our own cooking. Saw lots bears. All bears are brought back to camp whole and weighed for some goverment survey. Average for the year was 250lbs. I'm going back next year, I have unfinished busness with a whooper that I bounced an arrow off his shoulder blade.
CJ
Contact Tom Phillips regarding Bear Quest III, I believe there is a spot open because of a cancellation: very affordable hunt with the best folks you'll find, you get to connect with other tradgangers, and you WILL see bears within range. I was on the BQ I & II, wouldn't miss this one for anything if not for other obligations the same time as the hunt.
I also can recommend Bowhunting Safaris and Mark. He sent my group into the wilds of Saskatchawan for a great hunt. Real Big bear there. We had bad luck with "green up" happening as we got there and the bear switching to the new green grass and slacking on the baits. We still all say bear with 3 out of 4 getting shots at P&Y class boars. One fellow passed on three different bear and ended up not shooting.
Also a little closer, contact Ted at Raptor Archery. He is a guide in Idaho and has a great bear camp each spring.
Mike
The best of the best times and you may see some bears with Tom as well.I've been on BQ1 BQ2 and soon to be on BQ3..great time.bowdoc
Before you go to Manitoba, E-Mail me and I will let you know of one Outfitter "NOT" to use...$2,500.oo and 3 bears sighted in a whole week by 6 hunters. Long unhappy story.
Hunters Point in Portage, Maine is about $1700. The hunt is about $1400 and $200 per person for the cabin. In the cabins you have hot/cold running water, can cook your own. The owner, Eldon Jandreau is a longbow hunter so his whole setup is based on the needs of a trad archer. You will always have an active, unhunted bait to hunt from and if necessary he has access to trailing dogs...they cost extra, $100 as i recall to trail a bear if necessary. Stands are 16' high and shots are 10-20 yards. I am 3 for 5 on my hunts with him but am 100% for opportunities on some big bears each year. A Lot of guys from your neck of the woods come up each year to hunt.
BQIII is the one I'd go on-oh wait, I am! :) This will be my 4th year with Tom's operation and I've always had a great time and saw multiple bears each time, (well tagged out second night on QBI)! :) Now, I've been passin' for the big 'uns!
The stands are way too high at Hunter's point, and those long shots-whoa! We don't go higher than 6 ft and more than 6 yards away! My last stand was 5ft. and 3 yards! LOL! No seriously, Hunter's Point sounds great too!
Another plug for BearQuest. I'm going back this year for lots of reasons-people, location, bears, the people. Seriously- this ranks very very high in the times in my life to remember and I'm old so it has some competition. Tom Phillips and his crew are simply A-1 and you'll have plenty to do, lots to learn, and get as close to a gauranteed opportunity to take a bear as you can possibly get in a fair chase situation. Grant
I had an extremely poor experiance with Hunters Point in Portage, Maine this year - Labor Day week.
Stand set up 1st day was for a left hander only after checking with me 3 times verifying I am RH.
Also extremely unsafe stand - climbing sticks ended below the base of the stand making it unnecessarily dangerous getting into it.
Was assured that night and the next morning it would be changed - then prior to being sent out alone, the 2nd day, was assured it had been done.
Got there to find another stick had been strapped to the tree, but in a manner making it even more dangerous. I tried making it into the stand for several minutes just getting sweated up. If I had not hooked my own vest to the tree, I would have fallen. Quit trying and waited 45 minutes for the guide who was supposed to refreshen the bait - never showed.
Went back to the office and waited another hour - no way to communicate with anyone. Decided at this point that 2 days had been wasted and saw no reason to give them the opportunity to waste more. Packed and left leaving a note explaining why - no bear is worth compromising basic safety.
In spite of several emails and a registered letter, I have had no responce from Eldon. Needless to say, no reference from me.
Steve
Fall bears are hit and miss due to the berry crop. Spring seasons are best I think.
I went to the New York bowhunters annual dinner and at the auction got a bear hunt for $300. Check out local dinners like DU, Rocky Mt Elk.,and the NRA good deals can be had at these auctions, plus the money you spend funds stuff we all like.
Last May I went to Sask. Canada. Walters wilderness camp.
The hunt was: guide food and lodging $2400
air 740
car rental & gas 700
license 180
skinning fee 125
taxidermy 650
-------
$4700
And worth it 3 hunters (all tradtional) saw 46 bears with in bow range!
Buff had a great hunt at Maine Wild Country Outfitters. I plan to try them next year.
Steve
Sent you a PM
Slipp Brother's in New Brunswick cost me about $1100.00 a few years ago. 13 hour drive from Long Island.
I've seen bear taken with them from 75lbs (mistake by a gun hunter shooting out to far) and over 450lbs (Big Mama with the bow).
Great food and lodging, big stands:bigsmyl:.
Sorry, but times are hard and I just can't help myself, to wit: I will put out the finest donuts money can buy for a month, take you into my cabin and have my wife feed you and make you feel like a king. All of this for 5 days of "actual" sitting in a tree stand a safe distance from any bears who might come in ... no guarantees in fair-chase hunting, of course ... for, say, $20,ooo? You know, "you get what you pay for." Or, like Daddy used to say, "A fool and his money are soon parted." Seriously, it ain't worth it, brother. For the same money you can have a real hunt, say, in AK for caribou or moose. Selah ... dave
Don't listen to Mr. Petersen. I believe he was asking about an affordable hunt for bear. Not what you thought was " a real hunt"
From everything I have read, Bear Quest would be the way to go, but some of the others sound fun as well. Be careful, bear hunting gets in your blood. But on that note, so does hog hunting. Good luck and hope to see your hunt on the TG later.
Seriously Dave, I'm not sure you get the "respect" part of this site. If you dont like it, and we all know you dont, Then just dont go!
Gee Dave - thanks for the positive input.
Guess you didn't read the original question?
Steve
QuoteOriginally posted by joe ashton:
Last May I went to Sask. Canada. Walters wilderness camp.
The hunt was: guide food and lodging $2400
air 740
car rental & gas 700
license 180
skinning fee 125
taxidermy 650
-------
$4700
And worth it 3 hunters (all tradtional) saw 46 bears with in bow range!
I am another for Walter's Camp. I had been there numerous times and always seen alot of bears and always took a p&y with the last one a B&C a great bear camp!
You can come out west, get a doe deer or cow elk tag and a bear tag. Fill your deer or elk tag and you got a real good chance at a bear. door to door and under 1500.
Went several years ago to Ontario, Canada to Gowganda lake. $ 800.00 per person. Everything but gas and food included. All for under a $1000.00. Awesome hunt. 6 for 6 bow kills. Biggest 300lbs and smallest 130lbs. Awesome homemade blueberry pie as well. PM me if your interested.
Yes, my critics are right re this post, and I apologize. I don't view baiting of anything as hunting, never have and never will, but I don't even know for sure baiting is the goal here. And in any event I don't mean to cast disrespect on fellow TradGangers personally, only on certain activities. My primary problem is a happy hour urge to be funny, which gets me into trouble repeatedly. I'll work on it. Dave
Can't let this go...Terry, if you want to delete this feel free...I get it. SteveB states he had a bad experience with Hunter's Point. My wife actually hunted from the stand that Steve is complaining about and his description of the set up is incorrect. Those who know Eldon know for certain that his clients' satisfaction, safety and experience are his first concern. There is simply more to the story and it is hard for me to let Eldon be berated when I have first hand knowledge of the situation. Eldon's hunts are first class, as is Eldon. He wouldn't have the repeat business if it were any other way. Hope that says enough.
Dave, I'll join you during happy hour and we can work on it togethere. Cheer's !
I simply reported my experiance exactly as it happened. My description of the stand is 100% accurate. Bill saw it 2 weeks (if at all) after I was there.
My safety was not a first concern - it was not on the radar.
Don't (try) to shoot the messenger because you don't like te message. I hope this stays up, I will post no further escalating it - which someone would like. I'm available by PM and email.
Steve
One thing I think is a little odd (and I don't want to get in the middle of the Hunters Point arguement) but an outfitter should not be putting sports into stands that have been hunter already. There's no way I'd hunt a stand that had another hunter leaving his smell around, plus the guy doing the baiting and now me. Bears are smarter then you think and pick up on that change. A good outfitter has 100's of stands and only hunts them once. If you're not seeing bears in the first stand in the first couple of days he should have a backup ready.
killinstuff...when my wife hunted it she saw 7 bears the first night.
The place I hunted in PA was LOADED with bears.And it's with in driving distance from you in WV.DIY hunt,trip cost total of maybe 500-600.PM me if you'd like to know more. :thumbsup: :campfire:
Don't rule out a DIY in Alaska. There are also some good unguided boat based hunts in Southeast and Prince William sound. There are hunt planners that will assist you in setting up a hunt. Lots of options once you look into it. You can get some info off of this web site.
http://forums.outdoorsdirectory.com/
yeah if you buy a plane ticket way ahead of time and go somewhere like seward or anywhere in the prince william sound, have a pack that you could live outof for a week or two and jsut cover some ground up high in the spring you would see many bears, use google earth and you can pick out many mountains that are near the roads, you could get two hunts for the price of one.
I went to Ron Henrys bear camp this past fall. the cost of the trip was 700.00 plus liscense costs. You hang your own stands and do your own baiting. You cook your own meals in nice camps. The place I stayed had hot water, a shower and a toilet. Despite Ron repeatedly saying the spring hunt is much better I saw 4 or 5 bears and 3 wolves I don't know how you could beat the price. There is also fishing available. Greg
easy fellas....the guy wants advice....experiences good or bad are ok as long as they're done in a respectful way(so far,so good...but it's getting close)...lets keep it that way please...
And please, if you have nothing constructive to say and just want to rain on someone's parade, just stay out of it...if you don't like hunting a certain way,perfectly legal,that's you decision...but don't push you opinion on others....apology accepted ;)
laura and i have had nothing but good experiences with Hunter's Point. The very first year Laura hunted with me we were socked in for 3 days due to the torrential rain from Katrina. Eldon let everyone who didn't get a bear that week come back for 3 days for no charge. I trust Eldon and his crew so much I let her go back up by herself as I had other commitments. They all took good care of her and Eldon put her in a stand that she killed her first bear from on the last hour of the last day with her recurve. If either one of us had any problems with stands, placement or the wind it was simply a matter of saying so and it was taken care of.
In regards to Laura being put into a stand that had already had been hunted...the stand had only been disturbed by the hunter on two successive days. The bait was being hammered and Laura had the option of going to another site but once we inspected it it was clear that it was a hot set up so she chose to hunt there. She didn't kill a bear there because the only shots offered were by smallish bear. I think she saw 12 bear in four days and asked to be switched to another site where she had a chance at a really nice bear. Once she started to draw her bow the bear turned giving her a poor angle and then walked away. Hunter's Point is a class hunt. Never had a problem that wasn't addressed and resolved quickly. And talk about a "Hunter Friendly" town. The evening Laura returned from her successful hunt, everyone in the restaurant gave her a Standing O when she walked in to get something to eat.