Hey All,
First... This site is great!
Second... I would like to go on a black bear hunt, with my trad bow. I have only ever hunted whitetail before in Missouri and Illinois. In fact i am fairly new to hunting in general. Since there are so many seasoned hunters here, i was wondering if i could get some advice on how to prepare for a bear hunt. Specifically...
1. How much should I expect to pay for a guided bear hunt?
2. Where should I go? US? Canada?
3. Should I go with a group?
4. Equipment Choices... I have a 45# Bear Montana longbow and 50# Black Widow PCH Recurve. Are these adequate? 2,3 or 4 bladed broadhead?
5. Spring, summer or fall?
6. How many days should i budget to be sucessful?
7. Wanna take/teach me? :) Just kidding...
Just trying to get a feel for how much time and money i will need to budget. Im on a teacher's salary and schedule, and grew up in a non hunting family so i feel a bit behind the 8ball so to speak.
Thanks yall!
Dang put this in the wrong forum. Sorry
See Tom Phllips Bear Quest thread I have been three times and plan on going again next year.GFreat trip all traditional and loads of fun.Kip
I brought the thread to the top.
Bear hunting is very addicting : )
The great thing with Bear hunting is that there's pretty much a hunt for any body's personality, time frame, and pocket book.
1) For starters I'd pick a time frame that works better for you either spring or fall. In short...Both are great times.
2) Get an idea of what your willing to spend. A DIY hunt can be possible but more so with a spot/stalk hunt as getting baits going takes time.
3) Pick a style of hunt...spot/stalk, baited hunt, hound hunt. I've done all but hound hunt(just the way it worked out for me, some day I'll hound hunt.)
4) With those answered you can figure out a place to go. Some hunt styles will over lap but in short.. western states/alaska/western canada is more spot and stalk but some do have baiting. Wisconsin, minnesota, mid to east canada, michigan are mostly bait with some allowing hound hunt.
Good luck!
Thanks Kip
I see you mention teacher so a spring hunt might work out better as a fall hunt will be around the time school starts back up.
Try this site...www.Hunterspointguideservice.com
We are going to be upgrading the webpage but the basic info on the site is appropriate for 2013 Maine bear season.
I helped a friend in Manitoba become a outfitter. For 16 years I hauled bait up and found hunters for him .The hunters took from 20 to 30 bears a year and it was with a limited tag system (he only got so many tags). June was the best hunting and early may was also good, late may slower being a teacher that should give you an idea of timing.Manitoba and Sask. have some of the best bear hunting in the world some big bears and colored ones. Expect to pay now $2500 and up . Minnesota has fall bear hunts and some are more reasonable priced ($1200 ?) or you can do it yourself with more fun and a learning experiance you can use every year. Use the BW and multi blade heads bears live in the thick stuff and can be difficult to find without a good blood trail .
1. How much should I expect to pay for a guided bear hunt?
I think the most important thing to remember is that it's about like anything else. You get what you pay for. I'd be very wary of bargain priced bear hunts.
2. Where should I go? US? Canada?
It's all a matter of preference but seeing is you're from the Midwest, I'd do Manitoba, Saskatchewan or Alberta. If you're stuck on the US, Idaho. All things considered, I'd pick Manitoba.
3. Should I go with a group?
Groups are good if your outfitter can accommodate. Having a good buddy along is hard to beat, yet I've done it alone as well. Preferably having a good buddy along is best.
4. Equipment Choices... I have a 45# Bear Montana longbow and 50# Black Widow PCH Recurve. Are these adequate? 2,3 or 4 bladed broadhead?
Either bow is fine with any SHARP broadhead – whatever you're most accurate with. Redundant as ever but put it through both lungs, you'll have a very, very short tracking job.
5. Spring, summer or fall?
Spring is best, fall is good to. I'd prefer spring.
6. How many days should i budget to be successful?
You don't really "budget" days. Most hunts are 5-6 days and you're in camp for the duration. Sometimes you finish on the first day, sometimes the last. Camp life is definitely one of the most enjoyable aspects of bear hunting.
Once you do commit and go, you'll be hooked. Bear hunting is far and away my absolute favorite hunting activity. If you have specific questions, feel free to PM or email me. Best wishes in the decisions you'll be making down the road!