2018 GUIDED ONTARIO BLACK BEAR HUNT REPORT
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2018 Spring BEAR HUNT
The 2018 spring Ontario black bear hunting season was another memorable year filled with challenging weather, incredible wildlife encounters, and unforgettable moments in the woods.
Spring bear hunting in Ontario is always an adventure. Every season brings different conditions, and 2018 was no exception. From heavy rain and difficult hunting conditions to beautiful weather and exciting bear encounters, it was a season that reminded us why we love being outdoors.
Week One: Rain, Persistence, and Spring Bear Hunting Challenges
During the first week of our guided Ontario spring black bear hunt, we hosted nine hunters.
Opening day started with Mother Nature making her presence known. Rain moved in quickly, and I still remember dropping some of the hunters off and asking, “Guys, you brought your rain gear, right?”
One hunter confidently answered, “No, but I’ll be fine.”
Almost immediately after I returned to the truck and loaded up the machine, the rain started.
And it did not just sprinkle — it poured.
The rain continued heavily throughout much of the afternoon. When it was finally time to pick him up, that same hunter was standing in the middle of the road, completely soaked and shaking uncontrollably.
Needless to say, he will never forget his rain gear again!
Over the following days, hunters continued putting in the effort despite the difficult conditions. Bears were harvested here and there, but the constant rain definitely affected bear movement and made the hunt much more challenging.
By the end of the week, we finished with six successful black bear harvests and one wounded bear that we were unfortunately unable to recover.
Week Two: Better Weather and Incredible Bear Encounters
The second week of the spring bear hunt brought a completely different experience.
We hosted a smaller group of three hunters, and the weather forecast was calling for plenty of sunshine.
One hunter seemed to have all the luck. No matter where he hunted, he was seeing bears every day.
One evening, a beautiful mature boar with a distinctive white V-shaped marking on its chest came into his bait site. Unfortunately, while hunting with his bow, he was unable to get a shot opportunity.
The next evening, he returned with his rifle and successfully harvested another black bear.
The following evening, his father completed his hunt by harvesting an impressive mature boar of his own.
The final hunter worked extremely hard all week. He hunted the same bait site for five straight days, trying to outsmart a big boar that simply refused to cooperate.
On the last day of his hunt, we decided to change locations.
Of course, that same evening at 7:30 p.m., the boar finally showed up at the original bait site — but Ed was no longer there waiting for him.
That is hunting!
We finished the second week with two successful black bear harvests.
More Than Just a Spring Bear Hunt
Even when the bears do not cooperate, a great Ontario spring bear hunt is about much more than harvesting an animal.
Throughout the week, we spent plenty of time enjoying the outdoors, fishing, and sharing camp experiences. The hunters were able to catch their first northern pike, adding another memorable adventure to their trip.
At Wild North Outfitters, we believe a guided spring black bear hunt should be about the entire experience — the wildlife, the friendships, the stories, and the memories created along the way.
Every season brings new challenges, but that is what makes hunting so rewarding.
Wild North Outfitters — Come as a customer. Leave as a friend.
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2018 FALL BEAR HUNT
The 2018 fall Ontario black bear hunting season was unlike any year I have experienced while outfitting. The biggest difference was the incredible number of young bears we saw throughout the season.
The amount of black bear sows with twins and triplets was truly unbelievable. One sow was even spending time just behind camp with four cubs.
Having so many family groups in the area created a unique challenge. Even when a large boar was visiting a bait site, we had to be extremely careful and avoid situations where there was any chance of accidentally harvesting a sow with cubs.
The health of the bear population was clearly evident, and seeing so many young bears was a great sign for the future of black bear hunting in our area.
Week One: Close Encounters and Consistent Bear Activity
During the first week of our 2018 Ontario fall black bear hunt, we hosted 12 hunters.
Kevin started the season off quickly, harvesting his bear only 40 minutes after getting into his stand on opening morning.
By the end of the first day, we had three black bears successfully harvested.
Throughout the rest of the week, bears continued to be seen and opportunities were available, but we never had the major harvest days that we have experienced in previous seasons.
We finished the week with seven successful harvests and one wounded bear that we were unfortunately unable to recover.
Many hunters saw bears during the week but were unable to get a shot opportunity. One hunter put in an incredible amount of time and effort, but unfortunately, it just was not meant to happen. The bears always seemed to stay one step ahead, and he ended up being the only hunter who did not get a chance to see one.
That is hunting — sometimes everything comes together, and sometimes the woods simply win.
Week Two: Exciting Encounters and Unforgettable Moments
During the second week, we hosted eight hunters, and the action started immediately.
Opening day was an exciting one, with four black bears harvested and one additional wounded bear. Unfortunately, there was very little blood to follow, and after spending most of the next day searching, we were unable to recover it.
As the week continued, hunters experienced several incredible encounters.
One hunter had a large boar walk right into his bait site, coming within 10 yards. It was an incredible opportunity, but unfortunately, he was unable to get a shot.
The following day, the same bear returned. This time, the hunter had an opportunity but missed.
The great part about hunting is that the story does not always end there. The very next day, he successfully harvested a different black bear and completed his hunt.
A Final Night to Remember
The last two hunters of the season continued to put in the effort, and both had memorable experiences.
One hunter saw a bear but never received a good shot opportunity before it disappeared into the thick cover.
Then came the final evening.
After being picked up from their stands on the last night of their hunt, we were driving back toward the truck when suddenly a black bear ran out onto the trail.
The bear continued running down the trail almost all the way back to where the truck was parked.
The smiles on their faces stretched from ear to ear.
It was one of those unforgettable moments that perfectly represents why we love sharing these Ontario black bear hunting experiences with our guests.
More Than Just a Bear Hunt
The 2018 fall bear season was filled with incredible wildlife encounters, challenging moments, and memories that will last a lifetime.
From watching healthy bear families thrive, to close encounters with mature boars, to the excitement of a bear running down the trail at the end of a hunt, every season creates stories that cannot be planned.
At Wild North Outfitters, our goal is to provide more than just a guided Ontario black bear hunt. We strive to give hunters a personal wilderness experience filled with adventure, friendship, and memories they will never forget.