Hey all! My son and I are booked with a familiar bear guide in Manitoba this May, really cant wait, and we must furnish our own food(first for me). Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Just trying to get an idea of what basics to bring. Plan on driving, just not sure. Coming from Maryland, aprox. 24 hrs drive time, so that is also up in the air for now.

Bring a bug shirt with face screen (great Canadian bug shirts are good -may want to consider a therm-a-cell) bugs can be bad or none existent depending on the temps, it can be very warm (+30'C or cold (around 0 to +10'C) so bring a variety of cloths (usually layers), rain suit, If the outfitter is on a lake or river bring a rod and reel, you will be able to supplement your "furnish our own food" with some fresh walleye or pike. as far as food, I would likely stop at the last larger center before the camp and pick up food, etc. most bear hunting is stand hunting, bring some reading, and a good cushion and back support.

I was not sure if you wanted more food suggestions or gear suggestions, so here is a little of both.

Thanks Hummer, looking for some food ideas, do plan on bringing a couple of Therma-Cell's lol

We would always fish all morning in bear camp so we ate walleye 3-5 of the seven nights.

Oatmeal and coffee in the AM

Snack stuff for mid day (hunters sausage and cheese) helps block up the oatmeal

Mountain House meals when you return late in the evening. A Jetboil stove is a sweet tool to have in camp.

Canned chicken mixed with a can of peas/carrots, mustard, olive oil and assorted spices is surprisingly good and filling.

Of course you will have fresh bear loins.

I do not believe you can transport raw meat into Canada.  Best to call the border crossing you will be going thru to make sure on that one.

Stop at a grocery store on the way up and buy some fruit and veggies.

Might get with others guys in camp and each guy plan an evening meal for the week. My suggestion is to eat your big meal at noon and have a crock pot with soup/sandwhich for when you come in.

Everyone will be arriving off the baits at night at different times. Trying to keep food warm is a nightmare.

Plan on eating what you eat at home . Get some MALKINS JAM in Canada its great! You'll find some nice people in Manitoba....Tim

Thanks guys! Of course my son 19 eats like its his last meal every meal!!!

I will second what Mike said.  Having your big meal at noon and crock pottin' it at night is really helpful.  Getting together with the others in camp to plan a day of meals for each is the way to go.

Just remember that crock pots only work where there is electricity. Not many outfitters will want to run a generator for 12 hours for a crock pot....just sayin'!

I second the bug suit atleast the hood and face. I've been in may before and seen it 28 degrees one day and the next be 65. Peanut butter, oatmeal, bread, jerky, canned beans,crackers.Suff like that' I don't know how it is in Manitoba, we used to go to an area around Lake St Peter, Ont. The fishing was unreal like hummer3t said. So good that some days I would fish instead of hunt.Have Fun

Coleman use to make a propane crock pot. Maybe you could still find one.

Steve

I am excited for you, I am going to do the same hunt soon so really anxious to read what the guys suggest. Don't forget to take a camera and share the adventure with us.

I do plan on taking pics, hopefully of a couple of bigguns!!

I like to take some frozen meals like lasagna or burritos. keep them in a cooler together and they will keep for days.
Of course we have a propane oven available where we go to heat it up.
Saves a lot of cooking. We also eat a lot of luch meat and peanut butter sandwiches.

What kind of amenities are at your camp?

You should consider this before heading up. If all your meals will be cooked on a small camp stove and over a fire, I would suggest items that can be warmed up easily.

Instant oatmeal and just add water or milk items are great, Soups and stews are great.

Canned Corn beef Hash and Eggs are Great!

Having a big meal for lunch is a good suggestion.

If you have electricity and or an oven, your options go through the roof.

Good ideas Cyclic, Thank you!

BowMike, Plan on taking a TUB of Peanut butter...

I like Clif Bars when I am out in the woods and a little summer sausage and  cheese is great too.  Mountain House meals are certainly a convenient and fairly tasty dinner.  Jetboils are great but a cheaper Pocket Rocket will do the trick if you won't have much use for it down the road.  I have done a lot of long distance hiking for months at a time and the above options work great for me.

I froze a couple quarts worth of chili.... along with chicken vegetable stew... traded off between the two and had fresh walleye and smallmouth.

Thawed the meals out the night before and cooked it up for a big lunch. Supper was always late at night and sandwiches were in order.

This has worked out pretty well the last 2 years.

Good luck

Rodd