The many guides and outfitters in Canada are a testament to why the sport is so popular in the area. Bear hunts in Canada take on an entirely different feeling than in other areas, and it’s something that stays with the dedicated hunter. Since many of the guides have their own rules and features, here is a breakdown of some of the things to look for when bear hunting as a group.
Pay close attention to whether your guide offers a group discount! There are some guides that go out of their way to discount your entire group if you bring a certain amount of people. Check up on the discount long before you plan your trip, and that way you’ll know who to bring with you. Bear hunts in Canada is the ultimate group activity, so if you’re in a situation where you want to introduce someone to the sport, this would be the best time!
Guides and outfitters will sometimes list their average bear weight and success percentage. Bear hunts in Canada are all about numbers, so if you’re not paying attention to the most important ones then it’s a missed opportunity. Take the time to crunch the numbers behind the company you want to hire to manage your group. It will pay off in both the short term and the long term, as you’ll regularly return to hiring the company during bear season.
What weapons are used when your group hunts bears? Is it primarily rifles or bow and arrow? Or a mixture of both? Some guides will work better than others when dealing with specific weapons during hunting. And in the case of there being a mixture of weapon types in the group, just call before setting up a guide and you’ll be set. All companies are very upfront when it comes to questions about their specialties, so enjoying a group bear hunt won’t become turn into a bad fit.
Of all the types of group hunts you can do in Canada, bear hunting is one of the best. The prepared customer will always have a fantastic trip with his group by being paired with the best guide/outfitter to fit their needs. And when things go as expected, don’t be surprised if your group wants to make this an annual thing! When you want to enjoy one of a kind bear hunts in Canada, there are more than enough choices to make that trip a reality.
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Are you looking for bear hunting tips? Here is a good quick start guide for all aspiring bear hunters. Although you could spin the ‘beginner’ tips into an endless pamphlet, these small tips are some of the most fundamental things you can learn about the sport.
Improve your tracking skills, because bears are smarter than they look. There is a reason spot and stalk is taught as one of the top bear hunting tips for beginners. Part of this comes from scouting the area and recognizing where a hungry bear will go for food. Having knowledge as part of your hunting etiquette will put you ahead of other hunters by miles, allowing you to get a kill even on days where hunting is slow.
Check, double check and recheck your arsenal. Bring extra ammo, make sure you’ve already practiced with the gun you are going to use, and if possible bring a backup. Never bring a brand new never fired gun to a hunt. Not only is that putting you at a disadvantage, but it could also lead to careless mistakes that will make your entire hunt miserable. Think of your weapon as an extension of your arm- and you wouldn’t replace that on a whim, would you?
Guides aren’t a bad thing, and can sometimes be necessary depending on the area. There are all kinds of guides, with many comprehensive beginner bear hunting tips pointing to even professionals using them. Guides aren’t there to be training wheels, well unless you specifically request that they help! In the case where you forget something important for your trip, they can also point you to the nearest store.
But last on the beginner tip list is dress for the part! Dressing to hunt bears is an experience in its own, and includes smells and other accessories. Even the most prepared hunter can come away with nothing if their outfit and smell doesn’t match the occasion. Unlike the other things you can buy if you forget, this is the one thing you want before you leave on the trip. Being comfortable is a huge part of hunting, so if you’re second guessing your gear then it’s going to be a long trip!
Take these tips to heart when you go on your first few bear hunting trips. As long as you’re in the right mindset, then success is a possibility. And if you’re not having fun, then it’s not being done right!
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Not all bear hunting rifles are created the same, which is why some people have their favorites. This can vary by brand, size and power. But the one thing they all have in common is that they’re different, leading to a lot of choices for all levels of hunters. These key differences have shook the market over the years, splitting up buyers by offering a lot of new and improved old features. Here is a sampling of some of the best, in no particular order.
The Ruger Hawkeye Alaskan is a .375 that strives on being dependable, so the mechanics are rock solid. Yet all of that goes out the window for something so simple that it should be criminal: the placement of the iron express sights. Bear hunting rifles once came standard with iron sights, but now it seems to be an optional (and sometimes hard to find) feature. Or at the very least, it is glossed over so much that it is poorly implemented. The iron express sights on the Ruger Hawkeye Alaskan is a reminder that the scope isn’t the end all be all when it comes to a quality hunting rifle. Tradition still lives on strong!
Remington Model 700 is another .375, and comes from a long line of proven M700’s over the years. Widely regarded as one of the best bear hunting rifles ever made, lack of controlled feed action has made it a must have model for some hunters. The feature is either loved or hated depending on who you ask, but for the best bear hunting rifle there will always be reason to look into Remington’s models.
A bear hunting rifle list wouldn’t be complete without the Marlin 1895, the .450 that is devastating when used properly. Speed is the feature of this gun that has made it a favorite, proving that it isn’t always about pure power and confusing mechanics. The Marlin 1895 is lightening quick and works, and for many hunters that is exactly what they want.
Depending on the hunter, there are certain rifle features that they just can’t live without. Having an understanding of what features mean the most to you can help with picking out a dream weapon. And if there is a brand that really resonates with you, stick to it and find a favorite model. Because when you hunt, having a reliable weapon is something you can’t live without!
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Going to the same old spots when you’re hunting can be a bit of a bore-especially if you’ve become used to the area. Bear hunting in New Brunswick should be an experience, and not a retread. To get around the monotony, finding new and exciting places in the area is a perfect start. It will also open up the road to new adventures, and in some cases make you change out your equipment. No matter where you end up, it’s all about making the most of your time.
If you’ve been the type of hunter that has used tree stands when bear hunting in New Brunswick, now is a great time to switch it up. That means going out of your way to explore the surrounding area rather than relying on tried and true traps. Sometimes the challenge gets sucked out of using tree stands, even when the odds are against you. Shooting bears like a fish in the barrel gets old quick, so abandon the stand in favor of exploring the area. Not only will you explore larger prey this way, but you’ll also be able to test the limits of your tracking skills. Good tracking skills are a lost art, and have to be seen to be appreciated.
Have you been a gun user all of your life when it came to hunting? Well the next time you plan on bear hunting in New Brunswick, why not try archery? There is a massive following for bear archery, and it requires a lot of skill and dedication. This is a great way to work on hunting talents leading up to your bear hunting trip. It’s not implausible to get the hang of bear archery in a month’s time. And with the new skill in place, even if you don’t want to use it there will always be a sustainable fallback when you run out of bullets!
But nothing beats following the trends for the area, even if it means hiring a guide or having a friendly conversation with one. No one knows the area better than these trained professionals, and even if you don’t hire them they can point you in the right direction. Bear hunting has its best perks when you don’t let the routine get stale. So when the time comes in the year for you to make your annual trip, it becomes something you’re looking forward too rather than something you want to get out of the way.
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Black bear archery requires supreme skill and confidence, even if you’re used to hitting stationary targets. A moving target is an entirely different ballgame when it comes to hunting bears with weapons other than a gun. Because of the logistics, wind and angle have to always be taken into account. What could be considered a sure thing with a gun becomes a ‘maybe’ with a bow and arrow. So what is the best way to improve your accuracy? Here are two of the best accuracy tests to prepare you for black bear hunting.
Knowing where to aim is the most important part of accuracy! There is no point to just using the same techniques that you use with a gun. Since a gun is more automated, things can turn out a lot different depending on the conditions. Black bear archery requires personal knowledge of the middle of the middle. That means hitting the black bear between the front and hind legs and the belly. Guides are available that can illustrate it better, but the general idea is to pierce both lungs. Nothing is worse than lining up a shot and having your prey get away from you and out of range.
In the past it was believed that any shot longer than 40 yards was considered a bad shot, unethical even. The power of the bow just wasn’t enough to fatally wound a bear. But with the technological advancements of compound bows over the years, this isn’t a problem. And now comes the next part, better known as form. Some people practice different forms for their long range and short range shots. Your accuracy will suffer with bad form, so if you have a bit of a hitch in your release, now is the time to find out. Go out of your way to hit stationary shots and record yourself. Look for any hitches or anything that takes away from your power on release, since that would also affect overall accuracy. If your stance is compromised, work on it!
Practicing hitting the middle of the middle and working on your form is the best thing to do if you’re interested in black bear archery. The game becomes a lot harder if you don’t force bad habits out of your routine. With a little bit of practice, your accuracy will improve by tenfold. And at that point, it’s only a matter of time before you are bringing home the big one!
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