I am planning on a spring bear hunt in 2010. What state in the lower 48 grows them the largest bears? what is the minimum caliber i should consider? any have recommendations for a guide? if there are any bear hunters in the group id like to hear any info you have on Canadian outfitters as well
Hunting & Fishing first black bear hunt
- Thread starter tx25male
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Re: first black bear hunt
tx25male,
I have never hunted black bear in the lower 48 but I have hunted New Brunswick Canada many times in the spring and fall. I would not go any smaller than .270 with a .300 or a 7 mag being my preferred calibers. I have taken many guys up over the years and the smallest caliber anyone ever took was a 25/06. He was succesful but as you know bullet placement is alays key. Most whitetail setups are fine for Black bear. I use a 7 rem mag with a 150 Barnes triple shock.
As far as an outfitter most successful hunters are going to tell you thier outfitter is the greatest. I hunt with Carleton Adventure Lodge in New Brunswick Canada. Elihu Bloodsworh and his wife Nancy have always made our hunts the greatest. Over the years my dad and myself have arranged hunts with Elihu and have taken near 60 hunters up and I can only think of 5 hunters who haven't shot bear and some had oppurtunity or missed. Elihu puts out alot of bait and keeps his sites "Hot".
The lodge is very comfortable and I am sure you will gain a few pounds from Nancy's cooking three squares a day. Hunts are five days, all meals, licenses, and lodging usally run in the $1,100 to $1,300.00 range. PM me for details and if you make contact with Elihu mention Barry from Virginia. There are some GREAT bears in the area but one must be patient like with whitetail and be willing to let a few walk, sometimes this pays off and sometimes not, but this is real hunting!
tx25male,
I have never hunted black bear in the lower 48 but I have hunted New Brunswick Canada many times in the spring and fall. I would not go any smaller than .270 with a .300 or a 7 mag being my preferred calibers. I have taken many guys up over the years and the smallest caliber anyone ever took was a 25/06. He was succesful but as you know bullet placement is alays key. Most whitetail setups are fine for Black bear. I use a 7 rem mag with a 150 Barnes triple shock.
As far as an outfitter most successful hunters are going to tell you thier outfitter is the greatest. I hunt with Carleton Adventure Lodge in New Brunswick Canada. Elihu Bloodsworh and his wife Nancy have always made our hunts the greatest. Over the years my dad and myself have arranged hunts with Elihu and have taken near 60 hunters up and I can only think of 5 hunters who haven't shot bear and some had oppurtunity or missed. Elihu puts out alot of bait and keeps his sites "Hot".
The lodge is very comfortable and I am sure you will gain a few pounds from Nancy's cooking three squares a day. Hunts are five days, all meals, licenses, and lodging usally run in the $1,100 to $1,300.00 range. PM me for details and if you make contact with Elihu mention Barry from Virginia. There are some GREAT bears in the area but one must be patient like with whitetail and be willing to let a few walk, sometimes this pays off and sometimes not, but this is real hunting!
Re: first black bear hunt
Depending on where you go a bear can be a real close encounter. When we have gone I've stuck with a 30-30, not fast, but a heavier bullet with some thump, and the best brush gun on the planet. If things open up for your range-wise then I'd still probably want to stick with 30 cal in one form or another.
A bears boiler room sits a little higher than deer too, which is why some tree stand guys seem to have DRT issues. Just something to ponder.
Depending on where you go a bear can be a real close encounter. When we have gone I've stuck with a 30-30, not fast, but a heavier bullet with some thump, and the best brush gun on the planet. If things open up for your range-wise then I'd still probably want to stick with 30 cal in one form or another.
A bears boiler room sits a little higher than deer too, which is why some tree stand guys seem to have DRT issues. Just something to ponder.
Re: first black bear hunt
i have hunted with eldon jandreau huunterspointguideservice.com 5 times over the last 8 years and taken 3 nice bears he is located in portage maine and does a great job.. out of the 3 bears two are pope and young animals with my first at over 400lbs this year we had 10 hunters in our group with 6 killing bears and 1 miss the other three were fathers who sat with their kids feel free to pm if you would like more info
i have hunted with eldon jandreau huunterspointguideservice.com 5 times over the last 8 years and taken 3 nice bears he is located in portage maine and does a great job.. out of the 3 bears two are pope and young animals with my first at over 400lbs this year we had 10 hunters in our group with 6 killing bears and 1 miss the other three were fathers who sat with their kids feel free to pm if you would like more info
Re: first black bear hunt
The coastal areas of North Carolina have some of the largest black bears on the East Coast. Not sure about a guide to recommend, though.
The coastal areas of North Carolina have some of the largest black bears on the East Coast. Not sure about a guide to recommend, though.
Re: first black bear hunt
East TN in the smokies..but no recommendations on guide service or North Carolina like ODA726 said. Pretty much that whole region. The bears population are ever so growing down there in that whole region so you are pretty likely to get on one especially if you are an experienced rough terrain hunter.
East TN in the smokies..but no recommendations on guide service or North Carolina like ODA726 said. Pretty much that whole region. The bears population are ever so growing down there in that whole region so you are pretty likely to get on one especially if you are an experienced rough terrain hunter.
Re: first black bear hunt
If you want to hunt in NC check out Buffalo Creek Guide Service run by Johnny Dale. Three of us went in 2007 and shot 2 bears. Four of us went in 2008 and shot 2 bears. No baiting in NC though. You hunt the game trails. Has a website w/all info and prices.
If you want to hunt in NC check out Buffalo Creek Guide Service run by Johnny Dale. Three of us went in 2007 and shot 2 bears. Four of us went in 2008 and shot 2 bears. No baiting in NC though. You hunt the game trails. Has a website w/all info and prices.
