2016 GUIDED ONTARIO BLACK BEAR HUNT REPORT
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2016 Spring BEAR HUNT
After many years of being cancelled, the spring black bear hunt was finally approved for 2016. The possibility of the hunt returning first came to light in November 2015, but official approval did not come until the end of February.
During that waiting period, we received a tremendous amount of interest from hunters wanting to experience a spring bear hunt in Ontario. However, we decided not to accept deposits until we knew for certain the hunt would officially be happening. By the time approval came through, many hunters had already committed to other spring bear hunting opportunities.
Because of the late approval, we hosted a smaller group than expected. We had five confirmed hunters planning to join us, but with only two weeks remaining before the hunt, two hunters had to reschedule their trips until fall 2016 due to family health issues.
Preparing for the 2016 Spring Bear Hunt
Spring bear hunting in Ontario is a completely different experience compared to our fall hunts.
Baiting conditions were challenging, with many bait sites difficult to access because of lingering snow, ice, water, and muddy trails. As expected, the bears did not immediately start hitting the baits heavily after leaving their dens.
After a long winter, spring black bears are focused primarily on finding fresh greens and getting their digestive systems working again. However, after a few weeks, bear activity around our bait sites started increasing.
The weather also created some challenges. Temperatures changed dramatically throughout the season, with periods of extreme warmth followed by cold weather and snow. These fluctuations likely affected bear movement and feeding patterns.
Opening Day of the Spring Bear Hunt
The hunters arrived Saturday afternoon with plenty of excitement and anticipation. For many years, spring bear hunting had not been available in this area, and they were eager to become some of the first hunters to experience it again.
The hunt began Sunday morning.
That afternoon, around 5:30 p.m., Frank successfully harvested his spring black bear.
The following day, I returned to the bait site to check the trail camera because Frank was curious to see if the bear had been captured on video. Sure enough, the camera had recorded the hunt. What was even more incredible was that just over an hour after a group of us had finished recovering his bear, another bear walked into the bait as if it were a completely normal day.
Without the trail camera photo, it would have been almost impossible to believe.
A Challenging but Rewarding Spring Bear Hunt
The remainder of the week tested the hunters’ patience. The bears were in the area, but they were not making things easy.
On Wednesday, Pete successfully harvested his spring bear with a crossbow. The shot was slightly farther back than intended, and there was only a single drop of blood to follow.
With four of us searching, we were fortunate enough to recover the bear. It turned out to be an incredible animal.
Had this happened during the fall season, the thick brush and vegetation would have made the recovery extremely difficult, and the outcome may have been much different.
With Pete’s success behind us, all attention turned to John. The pressure was on, and time was running out.
It was not until Saturday morning, with only hours remaining before the hunters had to head home, that everything finally came together.
The bear we had been hoping for — the one with the distinctive white V-shaped marking on its chest — finally appeared.
We pulled it off again.
Another perfect season.
More Than Just a Spring Bear Hunt
The 2016 spring Ontario black bear hunt was an incredible week filled with great company, memorable moments, and lifelong friendships.
From Frank catching his first northern pike, to the conversations around the dinner table, to gathering together to watch the Pittsburgh Penguins’ final playoff games, the experience was about much more than harvesting a bear.
At Wild North Outfitters, we believe a great bear hunt is about creating memories and providing a true wilderness experience — not just putting a hunter in a tree stand.
If you are looking for a unique spring black bear hunting experience in Ontario, this is an adventure you should consider.
Give us a call at 613-334-5235 and start planning your next spring bear hunt.
Space is limited, and many hunters have already rebooked for Spring 2017 and are bringing additional friends along. If you are interested in joining us, don’t wait too long.
Wild North Outfitters — Come as a customer. Leave as a friend.
2016 FALL BEAR HUNT
The 2016 fall Ontario black bear hunting season was another fantastic year at Wild North Outfitters. We hosted 16 hunters during our fall season, and once again our preparation, bait management, and commitment to providing a quality guided bear hunt paid off.
A Strong Start to the Fall Bear Hunt
Opening day brought plenty of excitement and success, with 50% of our hunters successfully harvesting their black bears. Most of the action happened during the afternoon hours, proving once again that patience and spending quality time in the stand are key parts of a successful Ontario black bear hunt.
By the end of the second day, our main camp had achieved a 100% success rate. One of the highlights was watching a father and son harvest their bears only five minutes apart — a special moment that created a memory they will never forget.
The third day continued to bring more success, with additional hunters filling their tags and enjoying some incredible encounters with Ontario black bears.
A Challenging Finish to the Season
By the fourth day, the final two hunters decided it was time to get serious and spend some more time in the woods.
One hunter had been extremely sick during the hunt, while the other, John Michaels, has been hunting with us for many years and was simply enjoying the experience rather than worrying about filling his tag.
No matter what we tried, it just wasn’t meant to be for John this year. He was only able to hunt for two days before his health forced him to call it quits.
While every hunt has its challenges, the memories created along the way are what make these experiences special.
Another Successful Ontario Black Bear Hunting Season
We finished the 2016 fall season with 14 out of 16 hunters successfully harvesting their black bears — another excellent year of guided bear hunting in Ontario.
Every season brings new stories, new friendships, and unforgettable moments in the woods. That is what makes sharing these hunts with our guests so rewarding.
With the spring bear season just around the corner, we are excited to get back into the woods and continue creating incredible hunting experiences for our guests.
The 2017 spring bear season is already sold out!
If you are looking for a personal, high-quality Ontario black bear hunt with experienced guides, excellent bear numbers, and a true wilderness adventure, contact Wild North Outfitters to start planning your next hunt.
Wild North Outfitters — Come as a customer. Leave as a friend.
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