Help appreciated: black bear hunt USA/CAN

[Nyalamonster]

Dear Africa Hunting Masters

I'm looking for a Black Bear hunt in Canada or the USA for 2025 or 2026. Even though this forum is dedicated to Africa hunting, it’s the only forum I trust, so I decided to ask for your help and guidance. All help would be much appreciated!

As stated, I’m looking for a black bear hunt. My preferred method is spot-and-stalk, but baited is also good. I’ll be traveling from the EU, and the easiest access points (connecting flight hubs) are via Seattle or Chicago (maybe Dallas too, though it's farther from Canada). Seattle would be the best option, and I’m willing to drive a long way from there if needed (e.g., Alberta). Vancouver Island would probably be the most logical choice, but I’d prefer to stay closer to a $5k budget rather than $10k for this trip.

The best option would be to hunt with a double rifle, but I’ll probably settle for a scoped rifle

Thank you so much for all your recommendations and help!

 

[WAB]

You should consider Alaska.

 

[Nyalamonster]

Good point! I’m happy to consider Alaska references as well!

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Send a PM to @PapaMoose. The lodge he formerly owned in NW Ontario has a very good reputation for black bear hunting. Excellent connections from Europe direct to Toronto and then to Winnipeg. I usually fly Air Canada from Toronto direct to Zurich or Franfurt when going to Africa. First safari was via Heathrow.

 

[Ed Lally]

I have hunted in northern Newfoundland many times at Tuckamore Lodge, returning with several friends, my wife frequently, my daughter several times, my youngest son and, a few years ago, with one of my grandkids. Tuckamore Lodge was judged, starting in the first year of the award and for 5 years in a row by the Newfoundland Outfitters Association as “The best hunting lodge in Newfoundland” until the other members voted to stop making the award. The hunting is exceptional, the guides professional and knowledgeable, the lodge very comfortable, the food is excellent and abundant and the black bears are the heaviest in North America. Also exceptional place to hunt Moose and Woodland Caribou or fish for Atlantic Salmon. Google it!! Good hunting.

 

[Racer00]

Check out Keg County Outfitters in northern Alberta. Spot and stalk big blacks in grain fields. 2 bear limit. High success rates. We are booked for early September in ‘26. I haven’t hunted with them, but have had good references and my taxidermist does a lot of work with them

 

[Ed Lally]

A bit more information: I was at the Lodge several times when the other hunters were from Germany, Spain, Holland and other EU countries. I am sure that references from hunters from your country are available. Just spoke to Barb at Tuckamore and 2025 is fully booked, however some dates in 2026 are still available. You can hunt bear in the spring or have a moose/caribou/bear combo hunt (or any two) hunt in the fall. Fly from Europe to St. John NL, then Deer Lake or St. Anthony. The Lodge will pick you up at the airport and your adventure will begin!!

 

[HankBuck]

Send a PM to @PapaMoose. The lodge he formerly owned in NW Ontario has a very good reputation for black bear hunting. Excellent connections from Europe direct to Toronto and then to Winnipeg. I usually fly Air Canada from Toronto direct to Zurich or Franfurt when going to Africa. First safari was via Heathrow.

@Ontario Hunter - for black bear “Spot & Stalk” hunting? Or bait only?

 

[Rem280]

I went with these guys and had an amazing time. Lots of bears, some color phase and fishing! Just avoid Toronto airport. Feel free to message me if u have any questions.

Saskatchewan Black Bear Hunting - Guided Black Bear Hunts

Timberlost Outfitters is Saskatchewan's premier hunting outfitter for affordable, guided black bear hunts. Let our team of black bear hunting experts give you a memorable hunting experience.

www.timberlostoutfitting.com

 

[Ontario Hunter]

@Ontario Hunter - for black bear “Spot & Stalk” hunting? Or bait only?

Mostly baiting I would guess. You would have to ask the lodge. I am not into bear hunting (or over bait, more accurately bear shooting not hunting) Spot and stalk in this thick cover country is very difficult. In agricultural areas spot and stalk for bears can be more productive. Quite a few bears are taken from the cornfields on dairy farms here. I've had several close encounters when goose hunting the fields. No outfitters doing it here though. Everyone does the baiting gig because that's what most of the Americans want. No work involved (for them anyway) and very high rate of success. Spring spot and stalk is a big deal out West in places where baiting is not allowed (e.g. Montana where I'm originally from). Generally, the outfitter cruises cutting units or mountain meadows looking for desperately hungry bears out of hibernation grazing on grass. Very spotty. Later in the summer bears can be found in same areas feeding on berries but by then they often have rubbed hair off fighting the bugs. However, I'm told the meat is better later in the season.

 

[HankBuck]

Mostly baiting I would guess. You would have to ask the lodge. I am not into bear hunting (or over bait, more accurately bear shooting not hunting) Spot and stalk in this thick cover country is very difficult. In agricultural areas spot and stalk for bears can be more productive. Quite a few bears are taken from the cornfields on dairy farms here. I've had several close encounters when goose hunting the fields. No outfitters doing it here though. Everyone does the baiting gig because that's what most of the Americans want. No work and very high rate of success. Spring spot and stalk is a big deal out West in places where baiting is not allowed (e.g. Montana where I'm originally from). Generally, the outfitter cruises cutting units or mountain meadows looking for desperately hungry bears out of hibernation grazing on grass. Very spotty. Later in the summer bears can be found in same areas feeding on berries but by then they often have rubbed hair off fighting the bugs. However, I'm told the meat is better later in the season.

@Ontario Hunter - thats what, I thought— NO bear “spot & stalk Outfitters” in Ontario, success would be lottery type odds and for a Paid Hunt few would be interested. Success for a large bear in the North East is low but if happy getting “any size bear” Hounds followed by bait are high success.
Good Spot & Stalk hunts for trophy size bear include Vancouver Island BC and Alaska….and expect to pay for the privilege. A recent hot spot seems to be North Carolina with some stand hunting over looking corn fields as well as hound hunts getting some of the heaviest bears in North America. Prices much higher there then in Maine but results on Big bear also much better.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

@Ontario Hunter - thats what, I thought— NO bear “spot & stalk Outfitters” in Ontario, success would be lottery type odds and for a Paid Hunt few would be interested. Success for a large bear in the North East is low but if happy getting “any size bear” Hounds followed by bait are high success.
Good Spot & Stalk hunts for trophy size bear include Vancouver Island BC and Alaska….and expect to pay for the privilege. A recent hot spot seems to be North Carolina with some stand hunting over looking corn fields as well as hound hunts getting some of the heaviest bears in North America. Prices much higher there then in Maine but results on Big bear also much better.

I wouldn't say there's no spot and stalk outfitters in Ontario. Keep in mind that Toronto is about same latitude as Sacramento. Entirely different ecosystem once you're past the Soo on Lake Superior. Lots of agriculture in eastern Ontario that I would imagine must be more conducive to spot and stalk. Here dense boreal forest dominates but we do have a small agricultural clay belt just south of the city. Mostly dairy farmers.

 

[zephyr]

Darren Deluca Vancouver Island had great success in the spring of 22

Vancouver Island Guide Outfitters

Coastal Black Bear Hunts, Roosevelt Elk and Blacktail Deer Hunting on Vancouver Island

vancouverislandguideoutfitters.com

 

[Slickshooter]

I would contact Master Guide Jake Jefferson at Black River Hunting Camps in AK. I killed a Grizzly with him on a hunt (spot and stalk) and of course there are many black bears as well.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

My long time (20+years) elk outfitter in Montana, Rising Son Outfitters, does spring (May) black bear hunts.

Home | Hunting In Montana

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www.huntinginmontana.com

Spring Black Bear Hunts | Hunting In Montana

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www.huntinginmontana.com

 

[pilar]

You should consider Alaska.

A nice boat hunt in SE Alaska is the bomb , spot & stalking is more fun then a bait hunt
Imo

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

A nice boat hunt in SE Alaska is the bomb , spot & stalking is more fun then a bait hunt
Imo

Agreed, but way above the OP stated price range.

 

[HankBuck]

I wouldn't say there's no spot and stalk outfitters in Ontario. Keep in mind that Toronto is about same latitude as Sacramento. Entirely different ecosystem once you're past the Soo on Lake Superior. Lots of agriculture in eastern Ontario that I would imagine must be more conducive to spot and stalk. Here dense boreal forest dominates but we do have a small agricultural clay belt just south of the city. Mostly dairy farmers.

@Ontario Hunter: Yep, can figure that out on any Map - so the short answer is None. and we can assume NO successful Outfitters on Spot & Stalk Bear in Ontario or Quebec- success defined as (over 50% on bear over 250 lbs.). Both Ontario & Quebec are Not known for Spot & Stalk bear hunts for a reason, guides don’t usually offer it for a reason, just like Texas Not great for Moose…. But, the good news is BC & Vancouver Island have some excellent Spot & Stalk bear hunts and Vancouver Island bear population is large And averages more B&C skulls than anywhere else in Canada - I think they were recently reclassified as separate subspecies for B&C record books?? And a Hunter will pay heavily for that opportunity with $8000-$12,000 hunts and Up —- worth it? Depends on how bad you want a big bear and how deep your pockets are. Alternatives: sit over a bait bucket in Quebec or Maine and shoot a 135 lb average bear for $3000. Agree with you on this one - a bait hunt is no longer for me, mind numbing boredom and few big bears.

 

[Nyalamonster]

Many thanks to all for the help!

 

[PARA45]

I hope @Red Leg chimes in, he has hunted bear in Canada, and his hunts were all spot & stalk.