Silent Sam
Handloader
- Dec 22, 2010
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Looking for outfitter recommendations for a spot & stalk black bear hunt. B.C. seems to have what we are looking for but am still open on location. Thanks in advance...
2015 Spring Bear
- Thread starter Silent Sam
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gerry
Ammo Smith
- Mar 1, 2007
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The two where I live are Bolen Lewis and Bob Milligan. There are a ton of bears here, they do boat hunts in the spring but pretty sure also spot and stalk. In the fall it's along salmon streams and the berry patches. Pretty much anywhere from the Kootenays, central B.C. around Quesnel and Prince George then all the way north and west would be good. I live in the Skeena valley and am close to the Nass river and Kitimat river area. If you have any more questions I'll try and help.
http://www.goabc.org/outfitters/
http://www.goabc.org/outfitters/
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
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Gerry has given you excellent advice about hunting BC. There are plenty of outfitters and excellent territory. Don't discount Alberta. Northern Alberta has some very good bears. Also, some of the bruins on Vancouver Island are simply gigantic. That hunting is in logging slashes; it is almost solely spot and stalk.
gerry
Ammo Smith
- Mar 1, 2007
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Somehow I forgot about Vancouver Island good bears but the hunts can be pretty pricey there. Alberta would be good although I do believe they do more baiting there which is illegal here. Since there are so many bears in B.C. I wouldn't shy away from some of the more inexpensive hunts, hunting bears isn't rocket science find the green spots and you will find bears 
Timing is important you don't want to be too early, where I live early May is best and can be good into June, early May is prime time here 8) not sure of the timing in Mike's neck of the woods.
Timing is important you don't want to be too early, where I live early May is best and can be good into June, early May is prime time here 8) not sure of the timing in Mike's neck of the woods.
DrMike
Ballistician
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I've waded through waist deep snow in the first week of June just a few miles north of here (Mile 103 on the Alaska Highway). Usually, our snow permits spot and stalk by late May, though I have seen years that there was still good snow cover into June.
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Silent Sam
Handloader
- Dec 22, 2010
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After my own research we kind of settled on BC w/ Alberta a possible. Vancouver Island is pricier overall I think although they have some huge bears but not much color phase. Chances at color phase bears are more a priority than finding the areas with the largest blackies. Thanks greatly for the local "intel". Just what I'm looking for. Boat hunts are not out of the question, just not interested in hunting over bait. My group wouldn't be adverse to doing some fishing after filling a tag either… Thanks for the help
gerry
Ammo Smith
- Mar 1, 2007
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Color phase bears are not very common on the coast but even a bit inland you will start to see them more. The areas we hunt have some nice colored bears, I agree they are nice to get if possible. The trophy photos on each outfitters site can show how many of them are there.
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
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The Cariboo region has the highest incidence of colour phase bears than about any other part of the Province; you'll find good populations around Kamloops/Cache Creek. I see the odd chocolate or tan bear in my area, and I have even heard of one "light" (almost white) bear in this area. The overwhelming number of bears, however, are black with white stars and perhaps colour markings on the face.
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Silent Sam
Handloader
- Dec 22, 2010
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Guys in my group are not set on a color phase but areas with a chance at least. None of us will turn down a decent black, black bear. Nice rugs regardless of color are what we are after. Thanks again to all for the good info.
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- #11
Silent Sam
Handloader
- Dec 22, 2010
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The guys I hunt with take turns setting up hunts. We've done moose in Newfoundland and elk in Wyoming. Both were great hunts so it's my turn and the pressure is on to live up to the "standard".
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
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Black bears are plentiful throughout the Province, and the high percentage of colour phase bears in the Thompson and Cariboo can meet your criteria. There are a number of fine outfitters in those areas. As Gerry suggested, check with the GOABC. Here is a list of outfitters providing hunts for black bear:
http://www.goabc.org/outfitters/?adventure=8#results.
Most of these hunts will be spot and stalk; a few may use dogs in Region 2.
http://www.goabc.org/outfitters/?adventure=8#results.
Most of these hunts will be spot and stalk; a few may use dogs in Region 2.
Once you've have found an Outfitter to consider it's worth being a member of Safari Club International just to call them and have them email you the Outfitter Reports on a prospective Outfitter.
That's part of the "free" services of membership and a feature I used when I was looking at going to Africa. Sadly that trip didn't come to fruition. It's another tool to use for helping to select an Outfitter. You also get the contact information of the hunters that submitted the report. That allows you to question them further and the members I called and spoke with were very helpful.
Just another tool to consider adding to the Tool Box. Not everything in Safari Club is geared to Africa and I'd likely bet they have some reports from Outfitters in the area you are considering.
Vince
That's part of the "free" services of membership and a feature I used when I was looking at going to Africa. Sadly that trip didn't come to fruition. It's another tool to use for helping to select an Outfitter. You also get the contact information of the hunters that submitted the report. That allows you to question them further and the members I called and spoke with were very helpful.
Just another tool to consider adding to the Tool Box. Not everything in Safari Club is geared to Africa and I'd likely bet they have some reports from Outfitters in the area you are considering.
Vince
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
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akhunter":3i9xirhe said:
Not far below the border. We've certainly had plenty of snow this year, already. I was told we have received around 64 inches in the past month and a half. It does seem to add up quickly.
Mike if we got 64" of snow I might be building a large raft here in Saskatchewan, as I am not sure where it would go when it melted .
Our Bear hunting here in Saskatchewan is very good with real good colour phases however 95% of the hunting is over bait.
Blessings,
Dan
.Our Bear hunting here in Saskatchewan is very good with real good colour phases however 95% of the hunting is over bait.
Blessings,
Dan
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
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It could be real tough to see a bear in your neck of the woods if there were no bait. The woods can be incredibly thick, that's for sure. Saskatchewan does have some fine black bear populations.
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- #18
Silent Sam
Handloader
- Dec 22, 2010
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Just wanted to thank you guys again for all the info. I am currently sifting through many outfitters that responded to my hunt request via goabc.
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
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Trust you have a great hunt. You will assuredly see some lovely country and meet some good people. If you hunt the South Peace area, give me a shout. The coffee's always on.
gerry
Ammo Smith
- Mar 1, 2007
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Keep us up to date Sam on how things progress and good luck picking a hunt for you guys that will work for you.
