Bear Hunting


dodge4x4

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Good morning everyone. I just wanted to see if I could get some feedback from y'all....a few of my family members and I are wanting to plan a trip in the next few years to go on a bear hunt. Just seeing if anyone could make any recommendations on which state/province to go to, what to hunt, gun vs. bow, outfitters, etc? Thanks guys!

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Need to think about what you want first. Spring or fall? Bear size? Color phase bear? Meat hunting, rug or full mount? How much can you spend and how hard do you want to work? Also, how reliable are the others involved and have a back-up plan if one or more bails on the trip. Outfitted hunts are more expensive but take less time and much easier on the back.

I live in IL and have been on 4 bear hunts. The first was a 5 day spring hunt over bait with an outfitter (Black bear Lodge) in Canada - year 2000. It was terrible and after 5 days of hunting I never saw a bear. In 2008 I planned a DIY hunt in northern Idaho. Everyone bailed except one guy so we went. He saw a bear (no shot) and I didn't see a thing. However, I spoke with locals and other bear hunters and learned how to hunt them. I In 2010 I went back with 2 buddies and I got 2 bears over bait (one at 75 years and one at 20 yards). In 2012 I was focused on a color phase and got one on day 2 at 40 yards. My buddy got an average black one on the last evening. While I mixed it up between my bow and gun it just so happened all my bears were with a rifle.The bears in Idaho are plentiful and high percentage of color phase, but not as big as they are in Canada or Alaska.

Recommendations: If you want to bow hunt I would plan on hunting over bait.

If you want a big black bear (300+ pounds) 6Ft.+ I'd look at Alaska or Canada.

If you want a color phase bear states like Idaho, Utah, Montana.

If you want to do it yourself and want to bait allow 2 days to set up the baits, 5 days for them top get active, and at least 3 days to be there when the bears are (travel days not included). If I were to do it again I'd likely plan for a 2 week hunt not counting travel days.

Hunting magazines often publish comparison charts (state by state) that provides information on the seasons, using bait or hounds, license costs and number of bears one can take. In some parts of Idaho a non-resident bear tag is 30 dollars, available over the counter, and you can get two of them. Idaho has a long spring and fall season and allows baiting. Most other states are more restrictive and expensive.

Can't give you any advice on a good outfitter, I'll just say make sure you get references from previous year clients and call them before making your decision.

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Pretty cool that the outfitter in WI does not have a limit on the days clients can hunt since the season is almost a month long. Looks like one has to get lucky and draw a permit. If I was hunting WI in a couple years I'd be sure to buy a preference point this year.

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couple years? I guess I forgot... it takes 8 to 9 years to get drawn, why?,...anti hunters buy up tags..totally rediculas!

Many of them have a hatred for hound hunting, and baiting. As a result of them competing for tags, Wis is overrun by bears.

I fear Wolf hunting will go the same way.

Edited by Mathews XT Man
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Alright, thank you guys very much. That outfitter in WI has peaked our interest and will definitely be one we look into. As for the anti-hunters.....it never ceases to amaze me some of the stuff they will do. They go through more work just to try and prevent it.

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