2017 GUIDED ONTARIO BLACK BEAR HUNT REPORT
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2017 SPRING BEAR HUNT
The 2017 spring Ontario black bear hunting season was one we will never forget — and by far the toughest spring bear hunt we have experienced in our past 10 seasons.
Every hunt has its challenges, and this season was a perfect reminder that no matter how much preparation goes into a hunt, Mother Nature always has the final say.
A Tough Week of Weather and Challenging Conditions
The biggest challenge of the 2017 spring bear hunt was the weather. We experienced more miserable rain days than we have ever seen during a spring season, including a seven-hour sit in the rain on opening day.
Everyone got soaked — except Goldie, who was sitting comfortably in what we jokingly called the “Taj Mahal.”
The bears seemed to have the same idea as everyone else: stay dry. With the constant rain and poor conditions, bear movement was extremely unpredictable. It was hard to blame them for not wanting to move.
Unforgettable Hunting Stories From the Week
Even though the conditions were difficult, there were plenty of memorable moments in the woods.
Poor Frank had one of those hunts that you almost have to laugh about afterward. One morning, he arrived early at his blind, sat down, and immediately broke his chair. To make things worse, shortly after, bears came into the bait site — but his glasses and scope had fogged up from the rain.
By the time he got everything cleared and ready, the bears had disappeared. Of course, it was raining again that morning too!
John had one of the most exciting encounters of the week when a 300-pound black bear approached from behind him. Unfortunately, by the time everything settled down, the only view he had was the bear’s rear end in his crosshairs, and he never got the shot opportunity he was looking for.
Darren, who was hunting with a bow, had a bear come into his bait site just 10 minutes after it became too dark to see his sights. He ended up waiting patiently in the tree until I could come and get him.
The week continued to test everyone’s patience. We had a couple of hunters wound bears that, despite many hours of searching, we were unable to recover. We also had one very unlucky hunter who climbed into her stand at 4:30 a.m., only to have a bear finally appear at 8:30 p.m. — and unfortunately, she missed the opportunity.
That is hunting.
The Bears Were There — Timing Was Everything
One of the most frustrating parts of the week was knowing the bears were around but simply not cooperating.
Every time I moved someone to a different bait site, the bears seemed to show up at the location they had just left the night before.
After everyone had headed home, I left some trail cameras running for another week. The results were incredible. The woods were full of black bears, and we captured many daytime photos of some truly impressive animals.
Looking back, if we had hunted just one week later, we likely would have filled every tag in no time — just like we normally do.
But that is why it is called hunting.
More Than Just a Bear Hunt
Despite the difficult weather and challenging conditions, everyone still enjoyed the experience. The friendships, laughs, camp conversations, and memories made throughout the week are what make these hunts special.
Several hunters wanted to rebook for the fall season and for the following spring, which shows that a true hunting experience is about much more than just harvesting an animal.
At Wild North Outfitters, we provide a personal Ontario spring black bear hunting experience where hunters become part of the camp and leave with stories they will remember for years.
The fall bear hunting season was less than three months away, and we were already looking forward to getting back into the woods.
Wild North Outfitters — Come as a customer. Leave as a friend.
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2017 Fall Bear HUNT
The 2017 fall Ontario black bear hunting season was another memorable year at Wild North Outfitters. After a summer filled with plenty of rain, the landscape produced an abundance of natural food. There were more berries available than we had seen in previous years, creating unique challenges and opportunities for our guided black bear hunts.
Most of the raspberries and blueberries had disappeared before the season began, but the blackberries ripened right as the hunt started. Acorns were also beginning to drop, giving bears another natural food source to choose from.
Despite these conditions, we knew there were plenty of bears in the area. We felt confident that with some patience, hard work, and a little luck, a perfect season was still within reach.
Week One: Challenging Weather and Close Bear Encounters
During the first week of our Ontario fall black bear hunt, we hosted 19 hunters across two camps.
Just like our spring season, Mother Nature decided to test everyone. Several days brought miserable rain, and some hunters were only able to hunt four out of the six available days because of the conditions.
Opening day started strong, with four black bears successfully harvested.
One hunter, Wylie, experienced some incredible close encounters throughout the week. Bears came within feet of him multiple times while he sat in his blind. Unfortunately, the bear he was hoping for never presented the right daytime opportunity.
One afternoon, the rain became so heavy that some of our bowhunters decided not to hunt. They were concerned that if they made a shot, tracking conditions would be extremely difficult.
Only 45 minutes before dark, the rain stopped and the sun came out.
The following morning, when we checked bait sites and reviewed trail camera photos, we confirmed the bears had been moving. One hunter had left his bait site early the previous afternoon, only to discover pictures the next morning of a beautiful bear arriving just before dark.
Several other hunters saw bears throughout the week, but things just did not come together for everyone.
We finished the first week with 11 out of 19 hunters successfully harvesting their black bears.
Week Two: Better Weather and a Strong Finish
The second week brought a complete turnaround in weather conditions. We hosted 10 hunters, including two guests who were celebrating their honeymoon with an Ontario black bear hunting adventure.
The weather was nearly perfect, and the hunting conditions improved dramatically.
Success came in waves. We would have several bears harvested one day, then slower activity the next, followed by more success shortly after.
The second-last day of the hunt was especially exciting, with four black bears harvested.
We worked hard to help Kenny complete his hunt, but unfortunately, it just was not meant to happen this time.
The second week finished with nine out of ten hunters successfully harvesting their bears.
A Reminder About Ethical Bowhunting
This season was also one of the most difficult years we have experienced regarding lost wounded bears caused by poor shot placement from bowhunters.
Between the spring and fall seasons, we unfortunately lost seven animals.
We cannot emphasize this enough: wait for the perfect shot opportunity before releasing your arrow.
A successful bowhunt is not about rushing the shot. Patience, confidence, and proper shot placement are what lead to ethical harvests and successful recoveries.
Every Week Offers a Fresh Opportunity
At Wild North Outfitters, we hunt different areas throughout the season. This means you are not hunting the same bait sites or locations as hunters from the previous week.
Because of this, every week offers an equal opportunity to experience a quality Ontario black bear hunt.
Whether you choose an early-season or later-season hunt, you will have your own personal hunting area and your own opportunity at a mature black bear.
Looking Ahead to Future Ontario Bear Hunts
The 2017 fall season provided plenty of memories, lessons, and incredible wildlife encounters. Every year brings new challenges, and that is what makes hunting such a rewarding experience.
The 2018 Ontario black bear hunting season is already shaping up to be another fantastic year. Many dates are already booked, and only limited spots remain.
If you are interested in joining us for a guided black bear hunt in Ontario, do not wait too long to reserve your spot.
We are also accepting bookings for 2019 and beyond.