Author Topic: Spring Bear Hunt Guide Recommendations (Read 2947 times)

I make oil · « **on:** November 22, 2010, 07:16:24 PM »

I am going to make my first bear hunt this spring! I have not deicided where just yet and would like some advice/recommendations from people with experience. I am not tied down to the weapon. I enjoy archery, handgun and rifle. My wife will be coming with me. She has no intrest in hunting but might enjoy sitting in the blind with me a few times. She will mostly want to relax. So that means I will need a place with nice comfortable cabins preferably on a lake where she can fish if she chooses too. If possible other things to occupy her would be nice as well. Horseback riding, ATV's, shopping something. I really want her to enjoy this so I can get her to go again. I would like to take a black phase bear. Not worried about a record book animal. I doubt I will ever hunt bear again but would like to have a nice rug made and maybe a skull mount. Who knows though this might become something I really enjoy. I have contacted a few guides from the internet and have an idea about price. Any recommendations? Am I missing something? Where is the best area for what I want? Thanks guy's.

Oil

I make oil · « **Reply #1 on:** November 23, 2010, 09:26:20 PM »

Anyone?

AtlLaw · « **Reply #2 on:** November 24, 2010, 09:55:50 AM »

I hope somebody answers, I'm in the same situation as you!

I make oil · « **Reply #3 on:** November 27, 2010, 06:46:56 PM »

Any recommendations on these people?

http://www.blackbearhunting.us/

This is Eastern Ridge Adventures in Maine.

Silver Bear · « **Reply #4 on:** November 29, 2010, 07:19:22 AM »

Slipp Brothers, Ltd.,5834 Route 101, Hoyt, New Brunswick, Canada E5L 1Z3. Call Ron Slipp at (506) 687-4625. You will get a bear.

Silver Bear

I make oil · « **Reply #5 on:** November 29, 2010, 11:22:30 AM »

Thank you for the reply Silver Bear. Has anyone ever hunted with Eastern Ridge? I am starting to contact previous hunters from past years with them.

Varmint Hunter · « **Reply #6 on:** November 30, 2010, 01:42:17 PM »

Quote from: Silver Bear on November 29, 2010, 07:19:22 AM

Slipp Brothers, Ltd.,5834 Route 101, Hoyt, New Brunswick, Canada E5L 1Z3. Call Ron Slipp at (506) 687-4625. You will get a bear.

Silver Bear

I've hunted with the Slipp Bros on several occasions. Great hunt, large comfortable tree stands, clean accommodations, good food, and the nicest people you'll likely find in any hunting camp. The only ones who didn't like Ron & Duane Slipp were the bears!

Ghostman · « **Reply #7 on:** December 02, 2010, 10:26:11 AM »

The only way you can't hunt spring bear in Maine is on Indian reservation land and you're going to pay close to 3K for a spring hunt. I'd look into New Brunswick outfitters.

st8tman · « **Reply #8 on:** December 05, 2010, 09:40:15 AM »

I along with 5 other guys hunted with Carl Stewart Spring 2007. It was the sixth or seventh year straight our group has hunted. This operation is a small family run business, that sincerely cares about the success and satisfaction of each hunter. The food is terrific, the accomodations are excellent. Carl has been guiding for SB for nearly twenty years, and really knows his stuff. We went 5 for 6 with one guy choosing not to take a bear. One guy took a documented 435lb bear, which very likely will make the All-Time Boone&Crockett minimum 21". This hunt is everything you could want in a Spring Bear Adventure, and Carl is equally comfortable with gun and bow hunters. 3 hours North of Houlton Maine. Zones 7&8 Northern New Brunswick. I'm already booked for 2008.
As an update I went 2008 as well as 2009(Both years 100%) and am booked for this year! Our group usually drives from Virginia. The cabin/lodge sits right on the Little Southwest Miramichi River! Beautiful Scenery. Carl takes a Maximum of six hunters per week, so each hunter gets individual attention. I had the fortune of going on a very "Upscale" hunt in 2007 in Alberta. Very nice hunt took two really nice bear, but the atmosphere and attention to detail provided by Carl Stewart was missing. The name of the lodge is "Stewart's Old Pine Lodge" it is about 4 hours North of Houlton Maine. Carl's contact number is (506) 836-1008. If taking a bear/great food/accomodations, and being treated like part of the family is to your liking....YOU WILL NOT be disappointed.

I make oil · « **Reply #9 on:** December 05, 2010, 12:47:25 PM »

Thank you very much. Will be contacting both recommendations this week. It seems that most people are recommending Canada for a Spring Hunt. I don't mind spending up to $3000 for a good hunt so hopefully I will find something good.

Varmint Hunter · « **Reply #10 on:** December 09, 2010, 01:37:51 PM »

Carl's place sounds interesting. Does he have a web site?

st8tman · « **Reply #11 on:** December 10, 2010, 05:14:59 AM »

Varmint Hunter,
No Carl does not have a website.....he prefers to advertise the old fashioned way....simple Word of Mouth from previous hunters. This has proven to provide all the hunters he normally cares to handle. I forgot to mention earlier the NB Spring Bear Season typically begins Mid-April, but Carl chooses not to take any hunters until Mid-May. His explanation is having been born and raised in the area, he doesn't feel right taking peoples hard earned money when the early season is SO WEATHER Specific. This to me is quite a testament to his character. Also my occupation is law enforcement, and my first trip up to Carl's it became very apparent the Game Warden's ie. DNR officers held him in high regards, as he is there go-to guy for nuisance bear control. While none of us are perfect, typically law enforcement only rely on "Solid People"! Also I get nothing from Carl for putting his good name out there, nor would I ever ask for anything, I simply know a good thing when I find it, and he has become more than a hunting guide, but a real friend!
If any of you want a first class hunt I would give him a buzz, as he had mentioned to me about possibly having a few openings due to health related cancellations. The cost of the hunt is $1650 plus license for 5 days. Three complete meals (NO BAG LUNCHES!), lodging, transportation, care of your bear once harvested, and one hell of a good time are included.

Country Boy · « **Reply #12 on:** December 30, 2010, 12:16:57 PM »

Go to Sugarloaf outfitters in Manitoba. I've hunteded there several times.

I make oil · « **Reply #13 on:** December 30, 2010, 11:52:01 PM »

Looks like I will be going with Eastern Ridge in Maine. My wife will be going with me. Waiting on her vacation to be approved then I will book. Thanks for the recommendations.

AtlLaw · « **Reply #14 on:** December 31, 2010, 04:34:13 AM »

What kind of accomadations/activities do they have available to keep the wife occupied?

I was gonna go last year, but Kathie's idea of "roughing it" is a 4 star hotel... $:-\$

drdougrx · « **Reply #15 on:** December 31, 2010, 04:56:14 AM »

Boy that's going to be tough Richard...bear camps are usually pretty remote and I still wish we coulda hooked up. Even at the Oxbow in Maine there's NOTHING, and I mean NOTHING to do. The closest shopping is in Houlton and it's really a small town. The accomodations are wonderful as hunting lodges go, but unless Kathy is interested in hanging with you on stand....she's gonna get bored REAL fast!

AtlLaw · « **Reply #16 on:** December 31, 2010, 05:53:54 AM »

I know Doug... $:-\$ but try to tell wimmins anything!

The reason I didn't go last year, besides your schedule, was because trying to plan it turned into such an ordeal!

My hunting buddy wanted to go and both the wives did also... we couldn't fly up there, we had to drive, until I said fine, we'll have to take hunting buddy's new truck since mine has 135000 miles on it. Oh No! he's not about to put load gear and carry people and put that many miles on his new truck! We need to rent a motor home...

I tell ya, I just let the matter drop and let the deadlines pass.

Maybe if I took them to the furthest out, most isolated, absolutely worst camp in Maine, then just maybe, with the wimmins being bored and uncomfortable and my hunting buddy not being able to relax with his 6 or 8 burbons a nite, MAYBE I could do some hunting!!!

I make oil · « **Reply #17 on:** December 31, 2010, 07:57:59 AM »

Richard, the outfitter I am booking with has what appear to be nice cabins on a lake. My wife is wanting a do nothing week. But she will also sit in the stand with me some too. The outfitter tells me we will only sit on stand in the evening so we will have a big part of the day to go to fishing in the lake or maybe drive to Bangor if it is not to far. There is also supposed to be Horseback riding and ATV tours in the area. I am sure we will find something to do with our time.

We have two kids at home so we don't get to honey moon much. A week in the Maine back country should be nice. We have the first cabin booked on the Lodging page.

http://www.blackbearhunting.us/

drdougrx · « **Reply #18 on:** January 01, 2011, 05:44:51 AM »

Sooo many years I went alone!!!! I hear ya Richard...my youth is filled with fond family memories from uncles and their friends who had in their lifetime shot A deer....stories like, "I drove to the site yesterday, I just filled my tank, why do I always have to drive, That guy ain't cumm'n in MY truck...." And then they wondered why I went to hunt exotics in TX alone......oh and they also said..."how much did that cost, do like hunting in a pen??? " As to bear hunting..."how hard can that be? You just ambush the bear...that's not real hunting...."

Hey Oil...there's NOTHING to do in Bang'r.....

I make oil · « **Reply #19 on:** January 01, 2011, 06:55:22 AM »

Still waiting on my wifes vacation to be approved. I doubt I will go if she can't get off. I have no paid my deposit yet so we shall see. I should know something on Monday I hope. If I don't get the first week of the season I won't get to go due to work commitments. So she is the hold up right now. Doug are you going to the Dallas Safari Club show next weekend? I am in Africa right now but will be in on Thursday. Will prob drive up Friday and go Saturday. Sunday and Monday I am hunting at a friends place south of Dallas. I am thinking about making a Dove hunt this year in either Mexico or Argentina. Going to look at outfitters. You ever hunt down there?

drdougrx · « **Reply #20 on:** January 01, 2011, 01:36:54 PM »

Alright OIL!!! Good for you...nope...not Argentina.....yet! Will be heading to TX in Nov. for Aoudad and Scim Oryx (if we can still get one!)

Chiefs · « **Reply #21 on:** February 15, 2011, 11:08:58 AM »

Quote from: I make oil on November 22, 2010, 07:16:24 PM

I am going to make my first bear hunt this spring! I have not deicided where just yet and would like some advice/recommendations from people with experience. I am not tied down to the weapon. I enjoy archery, handgun and rifle. My wife will be coming with me. She has no intrest in hunting but might enjoy sitting in the blind with me a few times. She will mostly want to relax. So that means I will need a place with nice comfortable cabins preferably on a lake where she can fish if she chooses too. If possible other things to occupy her would be nice as well. Horseback riding, ATV's, shopping something. I really want her to enjoy this so I can get her to go again. I would like to take a black phase bear. Not worried about a record book animal. I doubt I will ever hunt bear again but would like to have a nice rug made and maybe a skull mount. Who knows though this might become something I really enjoy. I have contacted a few guides from the internet and have an idea about price. Any recommendations? Am I missing something? Where is the best area for what I want? Thanks guy's.

Oil

Oil,
I sent you a PM, hope you get it. I have 2 spots with a group of 6 total going to Saskatchewan May 1-7, you can E:mail me at bfarleys@gmail.com if you want details. Thanks.

I make oil · « **Reply #22 on:** February 15, 2011, 10:37:42 PM »

I am all ready booked Chiefs. Thanks though.