My son informed me this weekend that he wants to hunt black bear. He is 12 and has taken 9 deer thus far so he is not overly experienced, but he's not a brand new rookie either. I live in South Carolina so getting up into the Northeast would likely be cheaper and easier for me, but, depending on price, I am not opposed to going to western Canada or the NW of the U.S.

Ideally, the hunt would take place in June so that he could be out of school, but we might also consider something in May.

Please let me know what your thoughts are. Thanks!


Dan

Have you looked into north Carolina?
Wyomings season runs into June.

No spring bears in NC.

Well, it wouldn't have to be Spring, I suppose we could do it over Thanksgiving or over Christmas. I will check into North Carolina.

Don't count out New Brunswick, Canada for spring bear. They have lots of bear. Just be sure wherever you go that you research the outfitter in depth. Reviews by past hunters, how many hunters in camp, quality of service etc.

I have hunted new Brunswick spring season every other year for a while now. They have a spring season and I have used the same guide for all the hunts.

Based upon my one outfitter a small operation, typically 3-4 guys a week.

You will see a good number of bears, typically a couple per day.

The spring bears have nice coats, not the rubs, thin spots seen in the fall.

At least in our camp, there aren't to many big bears, even some of the older individuals are 250ish.

Its a relaxing hunt, hunt from 3-4pm till dark, mornings are free to sight see, or fish.

Outfitter takes care of all, Dressing, skinning and as long as your not on the last day or two, butchering. Also does the paperwork for import back to US.

He has some options for lodging, some of them pretty nice which makes it easy to bring the wife etc.

happy to provide outfitters info.

Before deciding where...decide if you want a stand hunt (most likely over bait) or a spot and stalk.

I’ve been goin out to Wyoming with Ross Adney. www.beavertrapoutfitters.com for a few spring bear hunts over the last 6-7 years and have sent/taken a couple other guys so far really good luck getting bears. Have shot some nice color phase ones out there. I’ll take my daughter out there in a couple years in the spring. It’s a fun time to get out and do some hunting.

Feel free to pm me with any questions or can call.

West Virginia or Virginia for hound hunts in the fall near you.

Dan, hop up to North Carolina and get with Clark Purvis, Captain Clark Purvis. He takes some big ones stand and hound hunting. You can google him. I highly recommend Clark.

Thanks Toot. I will check him out.

Dan

I’d look at Alberta, speacifally mikes outfitting. He kills giants, color phase at reasonable prices. Matter of fact I get several emails from him in the spring offering discount hunts

Judman, I’m headed your way one week from today and I’m planning a rematch for that bruiser I blew the shot on last year. Looks like the weather will be much cooler and I hope it holds cause last year we had 100 degree days. Bears only moved at first and last light.
Looking forward to it.

I can recommend Bear Paw Outfitters in Alberta as well. I selected them over Mike's, based on client endorsements and photos. I was very pleased with my hunt: I shot a 450+ lb black black bear and a 300+ lb cinnamon. This is over bait, from tree stands, not spot-and-stalk. You will see lots of bears, up close. Price for the week and 2 tags is a shade under $5K, food and accommodations are excellent, There are LOTS of bears in the area, and the likelihood of shooting a BIG bear (or two!) is very good. The bear rut starts in late May to early June. My hunt last year was in that time frame.

You can read about my hunt and look at pics here:
https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/12078007/6

Toot, hammer a goodun!!! Supposed to get up to 95 here Monday then cool down a bit. It’ll be 10-20 degrees cooler where your gonna be. You pass through here and wanna BS give me a hollar later

Doc, sounds like a solid outfit!! Lotsa big bear up there

Gotta like those bear hunting stories.
Thanks!

If time allows I will do that. We’ll be staying at the Pacific Inn in Forks.

Slidellkid, I, too, can recommend Ross Adney having hunted with him this past May and took a big blackie with s primo pelt. I’m going back and whitetail hunt with him in November and back again in dec/jan for a mountain lion hunt. Last year I spring bear hunted with Bob Barlow just south of Ross and took a real nice Chocolate blackie. Both can get you on bears, both are hard workers who know their business well.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Go in the fall; the hide will be better. Also, find out from your outfitter when the best (size/ hide quality) bears are taken, and go then.

Don't let school interfere with the boy's education.

I've hunted with Mike's Outfitting the past three years and am booked for two more.

I think he does a consistently great job with very nice bears.

He also has a very nice lodge for the hunters to stay in with good food, hot showers, comfy beds and a nice place to practice with your bow if you are archery hunting.

One thing I really like about Mike's set up is he hunts out of ground blinds so you can hunt comfortably rain, snow or whatever and that sold me after spending several miserable days in a treestand in the rain on a previous hunt.

He also shoots big bears and some big colored bears.

Went 6 for 6 last year with two being over 20 inch skulls, two over 19" and two over 18".

Biggest body weights were 400 lbs. and 360 lbs which are very accurate weights.

Those are very big bears. Many that come off of Vancouver Island don’t make that cut.

Mike Noles, dba Conman's Guide Service, near Phelps Lake in Hyde Co., NC, does good on stand hunts for big black bears.

North Country Lodge in Maine. Outstanding peopel and accommodations. Amazing country. Highly recommend

Buster, forgive me for asking but “Conman’s” guide service?

Yes sir, one of the best in the business, despite the questionable moniker, lol.

https://fishblackbear.com/hunting/

Interesting. I’ve always felt spring bears had better hides. I’ve only shot 3, all from Canada (Ont & MB), and they all had wonderful hides.

New Brunswick Ca has a spring season may-mid June if I recall correctly. I think its pretty much over by the time school is out. The place I went to only did evening sits, from around 3pm to 10pm, so if the cabin has wifi your son could do remote learning in morning if offered and then sit for the evening hunt. When I have gone I could get enough computer time in that I didn't even have to take time from work.

In the NE many of the fall seasons are early so the hair hasn't really fully come in and of course the bears have all summer to get rub spots etc. the two I shot in the NB spring season has nice coats and made good rugs.

I saw a good number of bears both times, usually more than one per day, but nothing really big, a normal spirng male would be ~200lb a real biggie 300lb, every now and then someone shoots a big bear but its not as common as a lot of the guides would have you believe.

If you do Canada in the spring take bug protection seriously.

If your looking for a trophy look at NC. there are some serious big bears there.