It's Time...... 2010!

[Singing Bridge]

It’s time to start getting serious about my bear hunting. Oh, I’ve been making preparations for a while- I’m talking about the down and dirty / nitty gritty stuff. I’ll be hunting many, many hour’s drive from home and paying attention to detail is what counts. My season opens August 15th, and though I can’t make opening day I hope to hunt shortly thereafter.

This is going to be a true, do it yourself hunt in Ontario, Canada. I’ve selected the spots for my hunt based on bear sign at this distant location… no small undertaking or expense. Stand hauling and bait set up and placement will be done by me alone. Of course if I manage to be successful I’ll be hauling the beast out by myself as well. A lot of work, but if successful it will be that much more satisfying!

There is a lot of preparation that needs to be undertaken because I’ll be entering a foreign country (Canada). Firearms declaration forms will have to be filled out in triplicate in deer season, with my signature being witnessed by border patrol officers while I pay the importation fee. But I’m only going to use my bow for bear. Note- it is illegal to import bear spray into Canada. I will have to obtain an expensive non-resident bear license, and then purchase a validation tag to go along with it. I’ve already bought an Outdoor Access Card which allows me to purchase these licenses and permits. When I tag my bear after a successful hunt, I will have to go to a license dealer again and purchase an export permit for the bear. Any bait brought into Canada for bear cannot have the possibility of having soil on the outside of it- for example; carrots or sugar beets from the ground may have soil on them and are prohibited. Didn’t know bears would eat sugar beets or carrots? Guess again- I have photos, but do not use it for bear bait anyway. There will be motel fees when I hunt, and food preparation to consider- once again, the importation of food is highly regulated in Canada- no fruit for example. I find it easier to hit the grocery store once there and a pizza joint or restaurant once in a while. Where I stay is also a long drive from where I hunt.

There is a lot more, but you get the idea. Why go to all this trouble and expense? Pretty simple- I’m hunting a special place with tons of bear and almost no hunting pressure. A single bait I put out will get hit fairly quickly by multiple bear, with some 500 pounders running around – no dumps or garbage or human food sources/restaurants in the area except for what I put out. The bear are dominant and unpressured in this area, and an hour before dark will step out onto the dirt roads and walk up and down them and eat berries. I jumped five different black bears with my truck in an hour last year, including one very large bruin. If time permits, inspired by Mike Foss' youth, I will jump out of my truck and chase them with the camera rolling. Its time and I can’t wait!

Here's a video link to a 160 pounder I passed last year in that area:

http://s530.photobucket.com/albums/dd34 ... Boo003.flv

[lungbuster]

Nice little guy..........hope you have great success on your trip Bridge!

[Black Squirrel]

Good luck, Bridge! Can't wait to hear how it goes for you. Definately got alot of hard work in to this.

[Schultzy]

Sounds like a bear hunters paradise SB!! Enjoy your stay (which I know you will)!!

[Singing Bridge]

Thanks, guys- I'm going to run some bait up there this week.

[Mike Foss]

Singing Bridge

You shoot a big one. Is it legal to quarter your bear and take it out that way in Canada? Are you able to get bear spray once your up there.

[Singing Bridge]

You shoot a big one. Is it legal to quarter your bear and take it out that way in Canada? Are you able to get bear spray once your up there

Thanks, Mike- as far as I know, it is legal to quarter them up. I don't recall seeing anything in the regulations that says you can't, but I'll have to review them to be absolutely certain. Yes, I can buy bear spray once I'm there as I see it for sale in the stores- and I will pick one up.

[Mike Foss]

I give you allot of credit my friend, there is not to many bear hunters that would do what you are doing, my hats off to you. What way do you take when you go to Canada?

[Singing Bridge]

Mike, I cross at the eastern end of Michigan's upper peninsula at Sault Ste. Marie and the International Bridge. Once across I head north- beautiful country up there.

[Uncle Lou]

Bridge,

Wish you great luck. I cant wait to see and hear your stories and pics/vids from this adventure.

[Singing Bridge]

Thanks Lou- it looks like I may be off to a pretty good start. The first bait I put out at a stand I've had in place for months, a bear came crashing up downwind of me. He wouldn't step out where I could see him, but he busted some serious brush. I took the hint and let him have the site.