Trophy bears in the area can exceed 500 pounds with many smaller bruins in the area. To the uninitiated, shooting bears over bait is simple, perhaps even boring. Winterkilled ungulates are also highly prized spring food for bears, when and where they can find them. As with antler rattling for whitetails, you don’t always get a response, but it works often enough that it’s a legitimate tactic. Ranging from Maine to Alaska, the American Black Bear is the most widely distributed bear species in North America. I first tried calling black bears while hunting Vancouver Island’s mammoth bruins with renowned outfitter and television personality Jim Shockey. Fact #20 - A variety of strategies and techniques are proven effective in pursuing spring black bears. Color phase bears are a good possibility depending on the time of year. Our area has an excellent population of black bears and due to how remote and vast this area is the numbers and size of black bears always remains high. Trophy black bears are what we are all about. These areas are made up of boreal forest, swamps, and muskeg. It’s all about ensuring that bears feel relaxed while feeding, while allowing you to safely leave bait site. You also agree to receive email updates on new posts and offers. Our hunting area is perfect bear habitat. At 75 yards I quit calling altogether, not wanting to put either of us in an uncomfortable situation. The largest Black Bears taken each year in the province of B.C. Every hunter has a favourite bait. Outdoor Canada’s long-time hunting editor Ken Bailey has travelled all over Canada—and the world—with rifle, shotgun and fly rod in hand. This country is bearadise and with such a high density of black bears each hunter is allowed to harvest two. For some, it’s beaver carcasses, meat scraps or donuts; for others it’s popcorn, oats and molasses, or even Kool-Aid soaked bread. His methods have proven successful as he's harvested many bears. Still not convinced spring bear hunting is for you? In 1993, Alberta's total black bear population was estimated on the basis of landsat satellite imagery (forest cover, land disturbance), and estimated average bear densities from study areas. Black Bear Baiting In Alberta, black bears are managed using hunting seasons to provide recreational opportunities for the public and to help reduce conflicts. We get back there where the big ones live and we hunt them hard! Stalking to within range of a mature black bear boar is one of the more thrilling hunts most of us will experience. Our black bear hunts and moose hunts take place in the remote regions of northern Alberta Canada along the Peace River. I stalked the bruin to within nine yards—much closer than either of us wanted to be—almost stumbling on to him while creeping through the waist-high grass. Follow us on social media and keep up-to-date with Canada's fishing and hunting authority. BEAR HUNTING AREA. At the first squeal, the young boar turned in my direction, and after my third dying rabbit wail, he was confidently heading toward me. This Outfitter has one of the most successful spot and stalk black bear hunts to be found anywhere. Alberta outfitters offer different hunting experiences to meet various hunting styles, expectations, and price ranges. Knowledgeable hunters focus on south-facing slopes and ridges, or on areas where there’s new plant growth, such as pipeline corridors, cutlines and even backcountry roadside ditches. I don’t fully understand why there’s such a small nucleus of hard-core black bear hunters across Canada. Hunters can enjoy taking two bears over prime baits during the spring or fall bear hunting seasons. The terrain is rolling hills with meadows, alders and big timber and home to trophy black bear. If you do spot a bear when floating, be sure to identify key landmarks to guide your stalk before setting foot on shore. Black Bear Management Plan; The results provided a total of 36 000 bears (provincial lands) and 40 000 bears (all of Alberta). Keep an eye out for more species and how to hunt them._ From New Jersey’s suburbs to the Cascade Mountains above Portland, black bears shuffle about, making a good—and for the most part, quiet—living. Wild Big Game Outfitting. What rifle caliber do you recommend on an Alberta bear hunt? British Columbia is home to the largest population of black bear, estimated at 150,000 black bears province wide, making for some of the finest black bear hunting Canada has to offer. 5 Essential Tips and Tactics for a Successful Spring Bear Hunt. Set up your treestand or blind away from the trail and opposite of where you expect bears to access the bait, keeping in mind the prevailing wind direction. The most obvious are tracks, but scat and fresh claw marks on deciduous trees can also reveal a bear’s presence. The latest studies approximate 40,000 bears roam our province—equal to an average density of 84 bears per 1,000 km². Along with people, pigs and rats, black bears are quintessential omnivores, willing to eat just about anything. .35 Whelan, .444 Marlin and the time-tested .45-70. Black bear hunting takes place in northeastern Alberta, Canada, close to the Wood Buffalo National Park. Once the smelly and sticky oil clings to visiting bears, they’ll unwittingly create scent trails that other bears will follow into the area. Spring Black Bear Hunting in Canada. After spotting a bear 500 metres away across an open slope and determining it wasn’t the quality I was looking for, I pulled a varmint call from my pocket, just to see how the bear would respond. This is a perfect area for black bear hunting. But don’t let that fool you: these are resilient, heavily muscled, thick-boned critters. What do they know that others don’t? by Jeff Helsdon - Sunday, May 29, 2016. You then need to position your bait so that cautious bears can approach it from cover; mature boars, in particular, are unlikely to traverse large patches of open ground during legal shooting hours. You will be sent an opt-in email to confirm that you would like to receive emails from us. Black Bear Hunting | Tactics, Tips, and Videos. The Havalon is also a good knife for the tight spots around the head and skull. The area we hunt is a 2 bear area with many color phased bears ranging from blonde to cinnamon to black. While black bears can grow to massive sizes—several Manitoba specimens have topped 800 pounds—the average weight of a mature spring boar falls within the 200- to 350-pound class. Choose a baiting site in an area that’s likely to hold good numbers of bears, meaning forested cover close to a reliable spring food source. Once you’ve identified a likely spring feeding area, search for signs of bear activity. bear in Quebec with a good ol’ .30-06 on a guided trip with a super outfitter that … He uses this for the 5 main cuts down the belly and legs. Mike's Outfitting has guided black bear hunts since 1992 along the Peace River in Alberta, Canada. Alberta Bush Adventures is a family run business specializing in black bear hunting, elk hunting, whitetail deer hunting and waterfowl hunting including Canada goose hunts and duck hunts. Since bears consistently follow drainage system ridges searching for food, other edge habitats such as lakeshores, coastal inlets, river valleys, creek banks and beaver dams are also good bets. In most situations, quality binoculars in 8x or 10×42 provide the magnification needed to find and evaluate bears at a distance, as well as the light-gathering capacity to be effective until the end of legal shooting. As for clothing, safety harnesses and the like, the gear you use for any other type of hunting is appropriate for bear hunting. TJ Foster has grown up around bear hunting. BOOK THIS HUNT! Whether floating down a river, walking cut-lines, spot and stalk hunting, baiting or calling, black bears are very huntable. The usual strategy on the island is to glass open forest cutblocks until you find a feeding boar, then carefully manoeuvre into shooting position. More. Despite healthy populations across much of their range, however, these bruins often live their lives in relative anonymity, their shy personalities rendering them near invisible. Thank the chum salmon, Recipe: Bacon burbot combines two great tastes for a classic Canadian combo, Ice-fishing Friday: 4 simple fresh-fish meals you can make on the ice, Recipe & video: Roasted blueberry-pepper elk tenderloin with sweet and spicy sauce, Blue Fish Radio: A new virus is killing muskies in the St. Lawrence. Black Bear Hunts in Alberta Canada. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking on the "Unsubscribe" link at the bottom of every email. This is a remote bear hunting area, and all bait stations are only accessible by 4x4 ATV's. The black bear’s vitals sit farther forward and lower than those of a whitetail, which explains why most unrecovered bears were shot too far back for a lung shot. As on any spring hunt, if … My first black bear, in fact, was a beautiful chocolate-coloured animal I spotted in an oat field near Alberta’s Smoky River Valley. Burnt Lake Outfitters uses over 15,000 lbs of bait, special lures and over 40 baits to keep the bear action going. Having drifted for spring bears several times on Alberta’s Peace River, I can tell you from experience that riverbanks and valleys looks considerably different when you’re slogging up them than they do from the water. Hunting Black Bear in Alberta. He is a professional bear guide and he begins caping bears with a carpet ripper. We hunt Alberta's premier area … Whitetail deer hunting, moose hunting and black bear hunting in Alberta's North has always been a passion for us. We have a 2 bear per hunter quota. Hunting over bait, meanwhile, means short-range shooting, where modest velocities and stout cartridges shine; excessive speed can otherwise lead to bullets breaking up on impact and not providing enough penetration to ensure clean kills. So for bait you can use practically any food as long as it’s highly odorous and available in large quantities. Our black bear hunts take place in the remote wilderness of northern Alberta Canada. Darren DeLuca Guide Outfitter PO Box 1062 Port Alberni BC V9Y 7L9 Tel 250-724-1533 ddeluca@huntwild.com Our bear hunts take place in Northern Alberta. The black bear hunting areas are only accessible by ATV’s, UTV’s and hiking. SUBSCRIBE. 15 Black Bear Hunting Tips & Black Bear Baiting Tips This bear hunter took this 200 lb. You may have to go to a health-food or wellness store. Then there’s the adrenaline-fueled excitement that only comes with hunting an animal that has both the tools and temperament to keep you guessing. This is a small outfitter that only takes 12 hunters each season. Great bullet choices for bears include, but are by no means limited to: Barnes’ TSX family; Nosler’s Partition and AccuBond; Hornady’s InterBond; the Speer Grand Slam; Swift’s A-Frame; and Federal’s Trophy Bonded Bear Claw. Spring is the prime time for pursuing these truly fascinating animals, offering hunters an opportunity to head afield after several months of weather-induced torpor—along with the chance to collect a finely furred rug and some excellent meat. Like a roller coaster ride, it’s the uncertainty about how things might turn out that makes it all the more fun. Since that revelation, I’ve called bruins a number of times. Alberta Black Bear Hunting On an identical night, Jim Parrish harvested two very respectable bears. It’s unusual for hunters to come across carcasses before bears and other predators do, but if you find one first, take advantage of the opportunity. One of many black bears squared 6 foot 2-inches Here’s how to tip the odds in your favour. Black bears rely more on their noses than any of their other defences, so it’s critical to position yourself downwind before beginning your stalk. In Alberta, Black Bears can be hunted in spring or fall, although most hunting is done in the spring (as single-species, dedicated bear hunts). Wherever you can find early-emerging grasses, forbs or buds, you’re likely to also find black bears. The videos and articles are compiled from experienced and professional hunters along with pros in the industry. With all that in mind, use well-constructed bullets and larger calibres than you would for deer—you don’t want to crawl into the thick stuff on hands and knees to sort out a wounded bear. Spring Bear Hunting in Alberta. The spring bear hunts in Alberta start in early May and run through mid June. The trees often break, so if you come upon one, it’s a sure sign there’s a boar in the area. In his professional career, Ken spent more than 30 years conserving wildlife, fish and their habitats across Canada. Mike's Outfitting has guided black bear hunts since 1992 along the Peace River in Alberta, Canada. You can call bears from treestands and ground blinds or while still-hunting, but always strive to call upwind. Across the vast majority of black bear habitat, they’ll feed on naturally greening vegetation first. By signing up for our newsletter, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Since you’ll need to regularly refresh your bait, be sure to choose a site that’s within easy access of an ATV trail or other route. Join Matt Depeel from Parkland Outdoors as he walks you through how he sets up his. Widely distributed and generally plentiful wherever they can find food and enough cover, black bears can be hunted from Newfoundland to Vancouver Island, and from the U.S. border to the territories. Burnt Lake Outfitters has over 20 years experience hunting trophy class black bear, whitetail deer and moose in Alberta, Canada. Rifle hunters and bowhunters alike are also advised to carry a laser rangefinder; contemporary models are compact, lightweight and accurate to within a metre or two. When glassing at extended distances, as is common in the foothills of Alberta and B.C., or along major river drainages, a spotting scope is also invaluable, especially for determining whether a bear is of trophy quality (see “Field judging”). Other good, if less popular, options include the .358 Win. Hunting Tips & Techniques for Black Bear 1) Before your bear hunting trip; pick a couple of sets of clothes that you will only wear at the tree stand while... 2) Think Mint: Try to find mint soap at the store. Black Bear Seasons. There’s only one way to find out for sure: dust off your gear and get out there and enjoy some time afield. Their eyes and ears may fail them, but their noses never will. If I stopped calling for more than 30 seconds, the bear would hold up; when I resumed, so did he. How to Setup a Bear Bait in Alberta | Spring Bear Hunting Tips I stalked the bruin to within nine yards—much closer than either of us wanted to be—almost stumbling on to him while creeping through the waist-high grass. Practice archery all year long. Alberta Black Bear hunting is a fun and exciting hunt. _This is an excerpt from Hunting Editor Andrew McKean's book, How to Hunt Everything, which is available here. Want to improve your bowhunting? Black Bear hunting in Alberta during spring is truly a fascinating experience. And keep up-to-date with Canada's fishing and hunting authority! But, it can be one of the most challenging and exciting hunts there is. I have 50% color phase bears with 25% harvested being colored phased bears over 6 foot and 25% of the black bears harvested are over 7ft with 20" plus skulls. Black Bear Baiting Baiting of black bears is permitted in the following WMUs: 322, 330-338, 348, 358-360, 500-506, 509, 510, 512-520, 522, 523, 529-536, 539-544, and portions of WMUs 320, 324, 357, 507, 521, 526 and 528 (check with local Fish and Wildlife offices or visit www.mywildalberta.com to view the maps where black bear baiting is restricted in these WMUs). With the concentrated population comes a very high hunt success rate as well as the two bear limit our area has. Spring bears are slaves to their stomachs and will generally gravitate to the easiest available food source after emerging from their winter dens. Alberta offers some of the finest black bear hunting in North America. Our hunting area is perfect bear habitat. Each strategy has its own merits. Fortunately, I was able to square the situation away before he had a chance to react. 10 Tips for Hunting Black Bears Over Bait. Not that hunting black bears should be entirely guesswork, at least when it comes to proven tactics and firepower. I own 90% of the permits therefore I hold the key to managing the black bear hunting in this area. Adam Jensen for helping with the setup, Kyle Depeel for filming, Solitude Taxidermy for always preserving our memories, Predator Camo Canada for helping us stay undetected, Wyndscent for our scent control, Fourth Arrow Camera Arms for a steady image, Canadian Contractors and Canadian Hunting Supply.www.ParklandOutdoors.comwww.SolitudeTaxidermy.cawww.predatorcamocanada.comwww.Wyndscent.comwww.FourthArrowCameraArms.comwww.Canadian-Contractors.comwww.CanadianHuntingSupply.com In fact, it’s always best to be over- than under-gunned when hunting bears. Alberta Black Bear Hunting Package $4,250 8-15 May 2021. Recognized as one of Canada’s most accomplished outdoor writers, he’s also the author of No Place Like Home, an award-winning book celebrating the abundance and diversity of hunting and angling experiences Canada has to offer. Alberta Bear Hunting Our hunting area is home to one of the highest densities of black bears in all of North America. Each season, monster black bears are taken in our camps with the top end in the 7.5 foot plus 500 pound range as well as smaller bears.Our success on our black bear hunts is around 160% as there is a two bear … Start typing to see results or hit ESC to close, Answering your muskie-fishing questions about lure size & summer hot spots, Northern Ontario’s Jeff Gustafson wins Bassmaster Elite Event on Tennessee River, The uglies: 9 flies that aren’t pretty, but catch a whole lot of fish, How to call late-winter coyotes into your set-up, How hunters can remain the key to wildlife conservation, Ammo review: Deer hunters will appreciate Winchester’s .350 Legend, 4 simple steps to restore your rusty cast-iron cookware, A veteran trapper shares tips for beginners heading out on the trapline, 12 must-have items for your fishing and hunting first-aid kit, How snow pants remind us that Canadian winters are an adventure to embrace, Snacking on B.C.’s salmonberries? With over 30 active bait sites available in this large hunting concession, you can be assured of hunting a fresh area each evening. And since a black bear’s long hair absorbs blood, there’s less chance of having an easy-to-follow blood trail. Alberta’s boreal forest offers some of the best trophy black bear hunting in the province. Enter Outdoor Canada’s 10th annual photo contest! Richard and Diane are one of few, less than 5% of the outfitters in Alberta that make outfitting our sole livelihood. As for bullets, choose a heavy-for-calibre premium option that ensures high weight retention and maximum penetration. This is one of the most untouched hunting units in Alberta. Those who do take black bears seriously, however, personify single-minded focus like few others. Most bait hunters use a 45-gallon drum to hold their bait; be sure to chain the barrel to a tree, or you’ll spend an inordinate amount of time searching for it after a bear drags it off into the forest. You will be sent an opt-in email to confirm that you would like to receive emails from us. Whether looking to hunt Canada moose, trophy mule deer, Colorado bull elk, whitetail deer, or Trophy black bear hunting. Bears will almost certainly know you are there, so don’t spend too much time trying to hide your human scent. And only call if you can see an approaching bear from a long distance; that way, you’ll have time to put a stop to the encounter if the responding bear is a sow or young boar. To skin the bear, he uses a Havalon knife with a changeable blade to keep it sharp. No matter how calm and cool you think you may be, even the most seasoned hunter feels a little rush when closing the distance. And therein lies the addictive element for dedicated bear hunters—the challenge of actually finding one, especially a mature boar. Most hunters, it seems, either take bears for granted, ignore them completely or consider them an afterthought. I’ve only used varmint squeals, but other hunters say they’ve also had success with fawn bleats. here you will find an unbeatable resource of hunting tips and tricks. Where conditions allow, drifting river valleys while glassing the south-facing slopes can be a successful tactic. Hunting seasons occur during both the spring and fall, with additional allowances for harvest outside of these time periods on private land. Here’s what we know, Hot new ice-fishing tips for B.C.’s rainbow, brook and lake trout, 12 of the year’s best Canadian outdoor adventure photos. Alberta Bush Adventures offers spring and fall black bear hunting. You won’t be bear hunting 200 yards from the road and you won’t be near other bear hunters. Everyone has their own way of setting up a bear bait. Flat-shooting cartridges of this ilk will handle whatever shot arises, from less than 50 metres up to 300 metres depending on the terrain. This hunt takes place in the remote northern part of the province. Since some of our bears can be so big and since they are often encountered in extremely thick terrain, it is extremely important that hunters use a cartridge powerful enough to quickly drop the bear. We hunt black bears in the remote wilderness with very little hunting pressure. Hunters have never had more selection when it comes to factory-loaded ammunition than they do today. Our trophy black bear hunts take place in remote northern Alberta, Canada. In this regard, the venerable .30-30 has accounted for plenty of black bears over bait, and even in today’s world of new and improved cartridges, it needn’t take a back seat. That makes sense given that the young of moose, caribou, elk and deer are always on the spring bear menu. Alberta has no lack of bears, with an estimated population of over 40,000 Black Bears, with the bulk of them being found in … Some hunters liberally douse their bait site with vegetable oil, irrespective of the primary bait. come from the central/northern coastal regions. In forested agricultural areas, meanwhile, bears will often go after grain, especially barley and oats—as well as fruit crops—that weren’t harvested the previous fall. The lush woods, farm crops and big game animals gives plenty for the bears to eat, grow fast and end up bigger than a wilderness bear. Baiting is the most popular and effective method for hunting spring bruins. If you’re hunting Vancouver Island or other habitats with large-bodied bears and extremely dense escape cover, a .338 is not out of place.