2024 GUIDED ONTARIO BLACK BEAR HUNT REPORT
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2024 Spring BEAR HUNT
Another Memorable Spring Bear Season at Wild North Outfitters
It always feels like the offseason goes by faster than expected. Before we knew it, we were back in the woods preparing for another Ontario spring black bear hunting season at Wild North Outfitters.
Weeks before our hunters arrived, the work had already begun. Bait sites were maintained, trails were checked, equipment was prepared, and everything was put in place to give our guests the best possible opportunity at harvesting a black bear in Ontario.
As every experienced hunter knows, once opening day arrives, Mother Nature is always in control.
Week One: Weather Challenges and Tough Conditions
The first week of the 2024 Ontario spring bear hunt proved to be a challenging one.
The weather was constantly changing, with several days of rain followed by colder temperatures and overnight frost warnings. These conditions appeared to have a noticeable effect on bear movement.
Baits that had been extremely active leading up to the hunt suddenly slowed down, leaving us trying to figure out exactly what the bears were doing.
Even the bugs, which are normally a major factor in spring bear hunting, were not as active as usual.
Despite the difficult conditions, our hunters stayed patient and continued putting in the hours.
By the end of the week:
7 out of 9 hunters had bear encounters
4 out of 9 hunters successfully harvested a bear
1 hunter made a shot on a bear that was unfortunately never recovered
There were also several memorable moments throughout the week.
On the final evening, one hunter had a large bear working its way toward the bait just before dark. Unfortunately, the bear stayed in the thick cover and never presented a clean opportunity. As darkness approached, the hunter made the ethical decision not to take a risky shot and potentially wound the animal.
Another hunter had a bear visit the bait moments before being dropped off for his evening sit. Unfortunately, that bear never returned while he was hunting.
That's the reality of hunting wild black bears—sometimes everything lines up perfectly, and other times the timing just doesn't work out.
Week Two: The Bears Started Moving
After a difficult first week, warmer weather returned, and we were hopeful things would begin to return to normal.
Thankfully, they did.
Bear activity improved, and the second week turned into the type of spring bear hunting experience we had been expecting.
By the end of the week:
8 out of 9 hunters had opportunities
7 out of 9 hunters successfully harvested their bear
The final two hunters battled difficult weather conditions during the last couple days of their hunt. Despite their efforts and patience, they were unable to fill their tags.
That is hunting. Every season creates its own challenges, and every hunter walks away with a different story.
More Than Just a Bear Hunt
As always, the harvest numbers only tell part of the story.
The best part of every season is the people who walk through the camp doors. Over the course of two weeks, strangers become friends, stories are shared around the dinner table, and memories are created that last long after everyone heads home.
There is always a bittersweet feeling when the final vehicle leaves camp.
After weeks of preparation and two incredible weeks spent sharing the woods with great people, it is never easy watching that last truck pull away knowing my time in the north has come to an end and it is time to return to my regular job in the city.
The memories made during the 2024 spring black bear hunt in Ontario will last a lifetime.
Thank You
A huge thank you goes out to my team for helping make another season possible.
From preparing meals, helping around camp, and making sure our guests have the best possible experience, none of this could happen without their dedication and hard work.
Wild North Outfitters is much more than just a guided black bear hunting operation. It is built around friendships, memories, and providing every guest with an experience they will never forget.
In just six weeks, I'll be back in the woods preparing for the fall season.
The machines will be ready, the bait sites will be waiting, and I’m already looking forward to welcoming back old friends and meeting new ones.
Until then, the countdown begins for another Ontario guided black bear hunt adventure.
Wild North Outfitters — Come as a customer. Leave as a friend.
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2024 Fall BEAR HUNT
A Fall Bear Season We Will Never Forget
The 2024 Ontario fall black bear hunting season will be remembered as one of those rare years where everything came together at exactly the right time.
Perfect weather, limited natural food sources, and an incredible number of bears moving throughout our hunting area created the ideal recipe for an unforgettable season at Wild North Outfitters.
I had a feeling something special was building as we approached the season, but I kept those thoughts to myself. In hunting, you never want to say too much too early and risk tempting fate.
It is common to have one or two of these factors line up during a season. Having all three happen at the same time is much harder to achieve.
Normally, we can have an abundance of bears in the area, but when natural food sources such as acorns and beech nuts begin falling, bears will often shift their focus toward those high-energy foods. Rain can also greatly affect bear movement, as they tend to spend more time bedded down during poor weather.
In 2024, everything lined up perfectly.
An Incredible Two Weeks of Ontario Fall Bear Hunting
Over the two-week guided Ontario fall black bear hunt, we hosted a total of 23 hunters.
The final results were:
21 hunters successfully harvested a black bear
1 hunter wounded a bear that was unfortunately never recovered
1 hunter saw multiple bears but decided to hold out for a larger bear that had been consistently visiting the bait site. Unfortunately, he had to leave camp a few days early before getting another opportunity.
I truly believe that if he had been able to stay until the end of the week, he would have had another chance.
Fast Action and Incredible Bear Encounters
This season provided some of the fastest action we have ever experienced.
During each week, approximately 50% of hunters sitting on their first evening harvested a bear. The following night produced another wave of success, with nearly another 50% filling their tags.
By the third evening, the majority of hunters had completed their hunt.
Many guests watched multiple bears during their sits, creating incredible memories, stories, and videos that they will be able to share for years to come.
For many of our hunters, this was their first black bear hunt, and being able to witness the excitement of someone harvesting their first bear is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do.
Seeing the smile, hearing the excitement, and watching a lifelong memory being created never gets old.
Expanding Our Hunting Area
This season also gave us the opportunity to explore more of the new hunting territory we recently acquired.
We spent a great deal of time preparing new locations, monitoring bear activity, and learning the new area.
The results were extremely promising.
We successfully harvested seven bears from the newly acquired hunting area, proving that it has tremendous potential for future seasons.
There is still a lot of ground to explore, new bait sites to develop, and future hotspots waiting to be discovered.
The Work Behind the Success
A successful Ontario black bear hunt doesn't happen by accident.
Months of preparation go into every season—maintaining bait sites, monitoring trail cameras, improving access trails, preparing equipment, and making sure every detail is ready before our hunters arrive.
But preparation is only half of the equation.
The other half is the incredible team behind Wild North Outfitters.
From the ladies who spend countless hours preparing the amazing home-cooked meals that bring everyone together at camp, to the guides and helpers who transport hunters, recover bears, and make sure every guest has the best possible experience, everyone plays an important role.
It truly takes a team effort to create the type of hunting experience our guests remember forever.
Another Season of Memories
It is hard to believe another season has already come and gone.
When the last hunter leaves camp and everything gets quiet again, there is always a mix of pride and excitement. Pride in what was accomplished and excitement for what comes next.
The 2024 fall black bear hunting season in Ontario was truly special, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who trusted Wild North Outfitters with their adventure.
Now the countdown begins for spring.
There is plenty of new ground to explore, new bait sites to establish, and new memories waiting to be made.
We can't wait to be back in the woods.