2014 GUIDED ONTARIO BLACK BEAR HUNT REPORT
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2014 Fall Bear Hunt
The 2014 Ontario black bear hunting season was one to remember. As with every year, months of preparation and careful bait management paid off, with our bear bait stations producing excellent results. Baits were being hit consistently throughout the day and night, and our trail cameras showed mature black bears regularly visiting the bait sites during all hours of daylight.
Because of the incredible daytime bear activity we were seeing, I decided to change our hunting strategy for the season. Instead of having hunters only sit during the afternoon and evening hours, we had everyone hunt throughout the entire day to take full advantage of the movement patterns we were seeing.
Opening Day of the 2014 Black Bear Hunt
Opening morning began at 4:30 a.m. with an early breakfast at camp. Excitement was high as hunters prepared for their Ontario black bear hunting adventure. For some guests, sleep was hard to come by the night before, knowing they were about to experience a week of guided bear hunting in the Ontario wilderness.
Everyone was eager to get into the woods, settle into their blinds, and see what the week would bring.
The first bear of the 2014 season was harvested at 6:45 a.m., and the action continued from there. By the end of opening day, seven black bears had been successfully harvested.
With unusually warm temperatures during the hunt, every bear was handled quickly and professionally. The bears were skinned, quartered, and placed in the freezer immediately to ensure proper cooling. Before long, the freezer was completely packed, with bear hides covering the floor and very little room left for anything else.
A Successful Ontario Guided Bear Hunt
During the hunt, we hosted 15 hunters, with 13 successfully harvesting a black bear. The remaining two hunters both had opportunities but were unable to complete the hunt, each missing twice.
Seeing the results of countless hours spent preparing bait sites, scouting, and managing bear activity throughout the month was extremely rewarding. The hard work behind the scenes is what creates the opportunities that make a successful guided black bear hunt possible.
Unlike the previous two seasons, Mother Nature worked in our favour. There were no major berry or nut crops drawing bears away from the bait stations and changing their normal movement patterns. The consistent food source kept bears visiting regularly, and many hunters experienced multiple black bears coming into their sites during their hunt.
These close encounters created some incredible memories and exciting moments in the Ontario bush.
Wildlife Encounters Beyond the Bear Hunt
One of the highlights of the week was an unexpected visit from a timber wolf. One hunter had the opportunity to watch this impressive animal come within 20 yards of his hunting location. Encounters like this are a reminder of how unique and unpredictable hunting in Ontario’s wilderness can be.
The adventure continued even after hunters left their blinds. During their downtime, guests enjoyed bass fishing, exploring the area by ATV, and taking in everything the surrounding wilderness had to offer.
We also made a trip into nearby Algonquin Park and were fortunate enough to encounter a large bull moose, creating another unforgettable memory from the week.
More Than Just a Black Bear Hunt
A successful Ontario black bear hunt is about much more than harvesting a bear. It is about the friendships made, the stories shared around camp, and the memories created in the outdoors.
The 2014 season was a perfect example of why we enjoy sharing these hunts with our guests year after year. Providing a true wilderness experience, creating lifelong memories, and welcoming hunters like family is what makes guided bear hunting so special.
If you have ever dreamed of experiencing a guided Ontario black bear hunt, be sure to check out our hunter video testimonials from this season and previous years.
Give us a call at 613-334-5235 or send us an email at info@wildnorthoutfitters.com.
You will experience an unforgettable adventure, be treated like part of the family, and may just become hooked on black bear hunting for life.