Pine Acres Camp Spring 2016
Bears
Contributors to this thread:
Great day out today. Snows all gone so decided to set up a couple of sites.
Burlap sack saturated with liquid smoke and grease filled with pork.
2 garbage cans (40 gals) each barrel of popcorn, gummies, marshmelo's, chocolate covered raisins and granola bars. A bears smorgasboard.
Great scenery!!
Didn't take too many hunters this spring so it allows me to slow down and enjoy the scenery along my travels.
First hunter roll in in over 2 weeks.
Looking good, can't wait to get on stand at Pine Acres Camp.Just 23 more days!
What a pic !!! I have to ask spike buck, did the new Ontario permit allocations effect you at all? Did they increase or decrease your tags for non-resident hunters ? Do you agree with this new system?
allegany8, the new tag allocations have decreased my tags. But it could have been worse.
Do I agree with the new system? I don't know yet as there are more cuts to come in 2017.
The OMNRF has a legitimate concern. Because of the new Spring hunt, are outfitters going to take double the hunters. The bear numbers (population) are the same as last year. Can't afford double the harvest.
I had a meeting with the Compliance specialist ( top CO ) on the 21rst and a afternoon meeting on Monday with the bear biologist and her team leader. Working things out right now.
Spike great post... great pics... My understanding is that the MNR believes that the spring harvest may be a record this spring this year vs the late 90's in Ontario WHEN THEY CLOSED SPRING HUNTS.. What was the Mnr's interpretation of the later 1990's...Guides used to run several spring hunters with similar success/harvests in the spring, as they could expect in 2016. What makes this year so different in your opinion? What was their bear population then? Bear population now according to the MNR is high, so why the allocations? I wish you and all of this springs hunters luck..Stay in communication with all of us forum readers, we need vocal leadership with this subject
Ibow's Link
http://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/mobile/video?clipId=854619
First of all, the spring hunt was cancelled due to the possibility of orphaning bear cubs, not because of low bear numbers. The bear population was approximately 75,000 in numbers in 1998. 2016 numbers are between 105,000 - 110,000.
Many bear outfitters that are offering hunts this spring were not here in the late 90's. Many are going to be full force into dealing with fishermen in their camp when their very first bear hunter arrives. Will these outfitters educate the bear hunter in sexing and sizing the bear in front of them. Along with ensuring the bear they are about to take is not a lactating female. This is one concern of the OMNRF.
Now, the problem I see is that it is a NEW GENERATION at ALL the OMNRF offices working with the bears and the management of them. FRESH out of university. Our district has new CO's and all the people I met with over bear management are fresh at their jobs. This just might be a MAJOR problem.
I was good friends with a wildlife biologist who worked for over 35 years here in MI for our DNR. He loved his job but left this spring. It's not about managing wildlife anymore, it's all about "ecology" and a whole bunch of other new age philosophies.
Funny thing happened to me today. I had this over flowing creek I wanted to cross. Looked to be a good bed of rocks to cross on (ATV).
I put it in 4 wheel drive and proceeded across. Well, half way across it started to go down the creek but I stopped it from flowing further.
I couldn't figure out WHY WONT IT GO. After about 1.5 hours of lifting and moving rocks along with falling in the creek a couple of times. I realized I DID NOT have it in 4 wheel but 2 wheel.
Had it out in 2 seconds. How often has that happened to you guys???
Just so happens I was the only one working today. No one to ask if it was really in 4 wheel mode!!!
Lets see some spring game camera pics !!! Baits must be getting hit pretty hard now .
Ibow: The video you posted interviews Trevor Spooner whom Pat and I hunted with in 1990. Interesting to see he's still into bear guiding. C
Allegany8, no trail cams out yet. Started baiting just the other day.
I remember not locking in the 4 wheel drive on a suburban up on twilight and evening lake one time. Long cold ride back in the back of your truck! LOL
Like the time you were in the back of the truck Screwball at Indian Lake. Mosquitoes were all over you and the truck would not start. There was no room in the cab for you. You were yelling that you were being eaten alive.
After awhile I realized Cathy bumped the switch for the 2 gas tanks, not giving gas to either tank!!!
Another time we were about 45km's from any house or civilization. Me and the other baiter went in to do a bait set. Came out and the truck would not start. Looked under the hood, checked everything. No atv either.
After awhile we decided to start walking out. Went about 200 yards and decided to go back to the truck and checked it over 1 more time.
Again looked and then saw the tank switch was in between tanks shutting gas off to both tanks. John knocked the switch with his knee.
Im sure your busier than a one legged man in an a$$ kicking contest, but Im a month and a day out from my hunt.
Im going crazy out here by the lake ya know.
Could you post of couple pics of the bait sites and maybe some of the stands. Just something to take the edge off a little.
Still getting baits out. Will have all out by Sunday. No trail cams out yet but will put them out at the end of next week. Have to open cabins up before trail cams are up. First hunters not for a couple of weeks.
2 cabins water lines are being thawed out. But still have lots of time before we have to use them. Last lake to go out was yesterday (ice). Boats go out to the lake caches on Saturday. Treestands up and ready to go.
Seen bears on the bait runs. Mother bear and cubs which would have just emerged from their dens. Some denning areas still have some snow and ice.
Here's a nice bear we surprised setting up new baits.
This is one of our stands in our far North area, known to many of our regular hunters as Deer Lake Rd.
Stand has not been used for many years so I was up there checking to make sure all is safe with it.
Same site as above post. About 23 yard shot.
Set up for muzzle loader hunters. About an 80 yard shot. Natural ground blind. New site.
This is the Wabigoon River just before it flows into the English River system. Eventually flows to the Northwest into Manitoba.
Do you see the Eagles nest in the back ground??
Thanks that is just what I needed. Pretty wild looking river.
Want to study up a bit on being able to tell the boars from the sows. Do you have any pics of bears on the baits that would give me a little practice.
When you have time of course Im sure you want to spend your time getting baits and camps set up
thanks curt
I've posted this picture before but it's the same bait, different bear. Most sites this year will have a hanging bait and a ground bait.
Ground bait either being barrel or wooden bait box. Haven't used bait boxes since they closed the spring hunt. Heavy logs are laid on top.
Little guy likes popcorn!!
This is a sow with cubs of the year. If you wait a few minutes before you take the shot, you will see the swollen nipples of the sow.
It is illegal to take a mother bear with cubs of the year. We also pass on sows that still has her yearling cubs.
If you notice this lactating female does not have her cubs near her. Wait before you take the shot. This female has 3 cubs of the year.
Her cubs will show up usually before 5 minutes. On the way into the bait the cubs might be side tracked with bones dragged down the trail previously, leaving the sow on the bait by herself.
A stand we had baited last year but in the end, never needed. All baited now for 2016 & ready to go!!
As I get older, the steps get closer together!!!
Activated the old truck bait today.
Truck died in the middle of the road in 1967 and just left. Used this bear bait site since 1979.
Keep em coming, very interesting. Why did you start using box baits again?
Any special instruction on shot placement or angles when the bear are standing at the elevated bucket.
Here is the perfect scenario. Paw raised, broad side.
I will show you in the lodge where to shoot. Not computer savy enough to put a pin on the ideal shot spot.
Here's the perfect shot and angle when a bear is busy with the barrel.
No frozen pipes anymore in the cabins. Now just spring cleaning to be done.
Bears are starting to hit the baits.
Smoke is real bad here today from the fire west of here that crossed into Ontario from Manitoba. Forest here is tinder dry. There is a fire ban on now.
One of our new x large stands.
Put this bait out on Friday. Was an instant hit, active on Sunday.
This bait was just played with. Probably just hit for the first time.
When travelling through Vermilion Bay on your way North to fish, stop in to our new restaurant for a home cooked meal!!
Looking forward to your updates Chris. Great Picts. It's so good to see the story behind the hunts.
Checked the far North BMA's today. Our area starts at mile 31 and goes all the way to mile 79. There are many spur roads also within these 2 BMA's.
This bait was wiped out today. Site was just baited on Friday. Baits called Bear Factory.
Tree stand is checked out and ready to go. About a 16 yard shot. Bear Factory.
Mile 47 bait hit hard also.
Got a couple of new trail cams out now. More going out tomorrow.
Very inquisitive whitetail. Walked right up to us.
There are Ruffed Grouse everywhere. Anyone wanting to come up this Fall (Sept 15th), there is a bumper crop of them this year.
On way up to our BMA, we found this wolf scat with a bear toe in it. Bear claw on the left.
This beaver dam raises the lake approximately 7 feet.
Bet that wolf had a good time craping out that bear claw.
Such great picts Chris - your guys will get the total northern Ontario experience.
Ibow, it's nice to have so much prep time before the hunters roll in. Have 6 hunters come in on the 22nd. I am really enjoying our first spring hunt in year's.
We have no reduction of tags from last year, spring or fall. I have a meeting with the bear biologist and her boss at the end of the week when I pick up the hunters forms.
Major snow storm arriving on Friday.
Luv the pics Chris!It great to get an idea of what the country, stands, & bait sites look like. See ya on the 22nd.
Baits are starting to get hit hard. You are going to hit it just right. Just checked trail cams and downloaded the pictures. But can't find them on the computer. Have to wait for Brady I guess.
Six camera's out now.
Does Randy guide at Kasba Lake NWT?
Please tell him I say hello and good luck to you guys.
Hey spike about 22 days and we will be on our way . Every day seems to go by slower than the previous day. Is freeman still guiding or is randy the man now ? Cant wait to meet him
Good luck to you too!!
Dave, Randy and Saxon are the guides. Brady is a smart young kid going places. He got a job as an apprentice. Brady will help now and then. Brady loved the job.
Hi Spike Buck Looks like you will have a good season, how far are you from the bearpaw camp in wabagoon, I hunted there for years with Gordon Bently, on the airport rd. and snake bay rd. and in dinorwick sorry about the spelling, Good luck with your hunters this year, great area. 6-GOLD
6gold, we are about 45 minutes from Bear Paw Landing. There is now a new owner of the camp. Bently, then Carl Seek and now the new guy.
Gordon Bently actually had Fred Bear as a regular client. Gordon owned a Archery shop in Ft. Atkinson Wi area. Awesome bow hunter and Archery outfitter.
Thanks KIWI, I enjoy taking scenery and wildlife photo's.
There's a couple of bears visiting this site. I forgot to put the year to 2016.
Clay Lake Bait.
Great picts Chris. That fisher is awesome.
Old Bear. Face looks rubbed. I'm thinking a female bear. Again, I forgot to put year to 2016.
Clay Lake Bait.
This little guy can't figure out how to get in the bait box!!
Don't shoot!!! Having a hard time reaching the bait.
Only checked 2 camera's yesterday. I have 8 camera's keeping an eye out at the baits.
***Not only will I show what pictures of nice sized bears are hitting but also I will post the little comedian bears on camera.
those are some nice looking bears. How many baits did you put out this spring.
Im counting the days.
I have about forty. Like other outfitters, bears are just now starting to hit good. Snow all day today but its melting as soon as it hits the ground.
Tomorrow, I'm going to grease up the area around each bait after this fowl weather. I take about 2 gallons of restaurant grease, put about 5 ounces of liquid smoke and throw it up into the trees.
Drips for hours, the scent drifts off into the timber. Works great!!
I'm still going to put out a few new baits in the next day or so. Have 7 days of sort of nice weather ahead.
This nice bear showed up at the bait for the first time this year. There are 3 bears hitting this site.
Looking great love the Ontario scenery, I was thinking of eliminating barrels that looks like something I could try like u have boxes more appealing for sure. Hope u have a great season with your guys, stay safe
I like the boxes. This year I made them 2x2x2x2. It actually keeps the little bears out if you put heavy logs on top. Also wood is natural so don't have to retrieve them after the hunt.
After a week, this bear still can't figure out how to get in the box. He started chewing on the top piece of wood slat to get in.
Wish you Alex and all the other sponsors a successful season!!
This nice spring bear is a regular at this site. I have daytime pics of him but not good ones. There is also a sow with cubs at this bait along with a juvenile bear.
Cedar Bait.
I sure hope I get to see one of those great bears 20 yards broadside.
We love looking at your pictures. Those lakes are beautiful.
I am going turkey hunting for the next three days so I hoping for a good crop of pics to review when I get back.
When do your first hunters arrive?
The gut of this bear almost drags the ground. I have quite a few huge bears hitting right now. I saw a track yesterday that belonged to a monster bear, right at the bait in the far North area. I will put a camera on him tomorrow.
5 bears in this picture. She had 4 cubs last year, with all surviving till now.
Here she is from last year.
Spike Buck- a group of 4 of us hunted with you last fall, was a blast, we are coming back next year! do you by chance know the dates for 2017 fall bear?
Lucas, the Fall hunt should start August 15th.
Mile 47 bait.
Black Bluff bait. Now 2 bears visiting this site.
Lake Bait. West towards Kenora.
Another bear on Chips Bait. Every day more bears are visiting each site.
Must be a incredibly smart sow to keep four alive this long.
A group that was booked for the Fall had to push it up to this spring. I said they can hunt this week.
I set him up at 2:00 pm and after baiting the barrel I went back to the truck. Well 100 yards down the cut was a fair sized bear.
I went back to his stand and told him to come out and get the bear if he wanted. He came to the cut and we decided it was a shooter so we stalked it as it was feeding on the clover.
Well he shot and missed the bear. Spent a good amount of time looking but no blood or bear.
Disappointed he went back to his stand.
Sitting in his stand all disappointed, here comes a bear right underneath him. But spooks.
After about 40 minutes here comes another bear, the bear he's dreamed of for many years.
Here is Ed Miller, a 86 year old gentleman from Michigan and his bear. Saw 3 different bears this afternoon.
First spring bear in camp in 18 years!!!
Congrats to the hunter on a very nice bear!!
Congrats to Mr. Miller !!! I hope I can still do it at 86. What a story, full of ups and downs. Congrats to you Spike buck for making his dreams come true. What a way to start the season.. It looks like a good bear, what did it weight, how long ?
Great story Chris - congrats to you and your hunter!
This is the cut we saw the bear on.
When I skinned out the bear I noticed 2 holes. So he did hit the bear in the clover, but bear still gave him a second chance.
Tracked another bear this morning. Hunter's arrow hit the bear in the blade. Barrel bait, a 20 yard shot. Bears in fine shape but the hunter is not happy with himself. Tracked for 3 hours.
Allegany8, we did not measure the bear, I measure the excitement of the hunter in his trophy. Bear weighed about 275LBS.
Pipe Line up and running?
All baits towards Kenora are up and ready to go. Deer lake Rd area is all baited as is Red Bluff and HWY#105. Screwball, Delwayne comes in Friday too bad you can't make it up.
Langton Lake Bait.
Here's a couple of nice bears on one of our new sites.
Camera took 2200 pictures. 2150 being ravens.
The hunter who had bad luck today passed an average bear this evening.
Thanks mark, Marvin, Dean and Chuck.
Bears bigger than the 55 gallon barrel!!!
Cobble Lake bait.
So far 3 bears active at this site.
Pass this bear.
Cobble Lake bait.
Great pics Chris! Congrats to your hunter(s)!
Chris, I am a little worried about telling what is a good bear when its in front of me. Looking at those pics its easy to tell they are big bears.
I also don't think I will have a problem with the real small ones that cant even reach the bucket, but do you have any pics of medium size bears that may tempt me but that I should hold out on.
What do you look for in a shooter.
Thanks, keep em coming.
Good Luck and safe hunts for all. C
This is a smaller bear. Pass on him. Kimber Lake #2 bait.
Kimber Lake bait #2
This bear is a shooter. Also just showed up for the first time. P&Y Bear.
Sow with 2 yearling cubs. Over 5 bears hitting here.
Meadow Bait.
Meadow bait.
Its a shooter to some hunters.
I like all the day time activity. Alot of those pics are time stamped am, are you seeing morning movement or are the times not correct on the cameras.
Do you think that single bear at the meadow bait is a sow or a boar.
Cant wait get there and see for myself.
One other important question. Are your mosquitos coming out yet. When do expect your first batch of blood suckers.
i love these trail cam threads
This bear on Meadow bait will have to be sexed by the hanging bait to confirm. Very well could be a female. A bear that overwhelms the barrel is most likely a male.
This is the first year where barrel baits are used. Had about 4 last year but many in the western BMA's towards Kenora this year.
This little guy has the bait box figured out. There are about 6 bears hitting here. Using this area starting the 29th. We have 11 hunters then.
45 minute drive 1 way so want to have everything 100% before we use it.
Segise #1 Bait.
A larger bear. Possibly a female. Small head compared to size of body.
Segise #1 bait. Far North, Deer Lk Rd area.
Do barrels actually work for bating? (Sarcasm) LOL. Hope all is going well. Tell All hello for me.
Got a nice one last night, off to track.
Pope and young for sure. Lots of length to him but did not measure him.
Next week I have a bear biologist traveling with us on our bait runs. Her and her boss will visit our sites, look at trail cam pics and talk to hunters in camp.
Great bear for your hunter Chris! Good job!
Some nice bears on your thread. Can't wait to get up there this fall.
Hey spike buck, Some great pictures of some great bears. Son and I are excited about getting into camp. Just six more days to go. Really looking forward to son's first black bear.
Thanks Spike Buck for a great hunt. Couldn't be any happier with my first Bear. Also a big thank you to Randy, and my son Casey for helping us find this bear in the swamp and then carrying it outta there!
Here is a picture of Chris & Randy along with my son Casey hauling the bear outta the swamp.Chris says he has seen worse hauls but it was bad enough for me.
Another bear taken today. Archery. Jared, Bemiji Minnesota.
Cedar Bait.
Some nice bears congrats to all involved.
Awesome bears so far Chris! Best of luck to your hunters in the coming weeks, looking forward to seeing more bears!
Well the kid beat his old man. My son Casey to a great bear last night. All I can say is it only took me one night on stand and it took him 3 but his bear is bigger. Congratulations son and thanks again Chris at Pine Acres Bear Camp. Now we'll see if he can top this catch Delwayne & I got yesterday while Casey was killing BEAR.
Great pictures! Your guys are having a great time Spike!
How big is that last bear Chris?! Gotta be 19"+! Congrats!
Looks like Jared bear got shot with a gun . Some broadead are brutal.seems like they die faster than a gun.
Greg, it was doubled lunged with a rage broadhead. Worse than a bullet!!!
Thanks guys, spring hunt is bringing out the big bears. Many more on camera ready for the next 2 weeks.
John I would estimate 19+ or better. His taxidermist will measure the skull after the 60 day period.
Pad was 5 1/4 inches.
Gblevins, 78 days till August Ontario bear season opens. Going to be a good time!!! I actually have your baits baited and ready right now. They are the baits the OMNRF bear biologist and her boss are visiting.
Never touched the camera!!
3k's by atv.
We call this bait "Drive By Shooting!!"
Don't have to get off the atv to bait this one, right on the trail. My laziest bait. 4 bears hitting here.
Last time I hunted here was 1994 by truck. All clover. Now road is only 4' wide.
Here is a picture of Spike Buck measuring the front pad of the boar my son killed.
Penner bait. Head of this bear doesn't match the size if the body. A female bear.
Another nice bear for the hunters the week of May 29th.
Segise #3 bait. Far North area.
Saxon has this bait set up ready to go. Knows his bears but not his camera's, wrong date.
We call this old bear "Scar Face". Not a big bear but an old one. Wrong date of course.
Bunch of bears seen last night. Guys are making sure they are taking male bears so they are letting many pass by.
One hunter was on stand yesterday. He said for over an hour he heard a guy trying to start his atv. He said it would almost start then quit. He was aggravated so got off his stand to go help the guy start the atv so he could get on with hunting.
Well he couldn't find anyone or atv.
This morning at breakfast I ask him if there was grouse around and told him it was the grouse beating the wings.
We all had a good laugh!!
From the looks of the picture above there will be wine flowing in the lodge! Congrats!
Greg Litzo. Bear Factory.
Two from the Geriatric Unit! Way to go guys.
Haha! Love the grouse story. That's funny.
Nice bears!
Tim Barr, Indiana.
*** during the Fall hunts, you never get a bear rubbed out like this.
Spike have to let me know what ones so we can keep an eye on them. Can't get better than that. Really nice bears on here so far. Keep up the good work, cant wait to get up to your place.
Some nice bears Chris.... Great job!
A hunter was wanting to move so put him on another active bait down the road. Yesterday went in to grease up the bait he moved off and a bear tried to challenge us off the bait we moved the hunter off.
This is what the new bait box looked like when we got to the bait.
Rule # 1. Always trust your outfitter/guides judgement. Rule # 2. If you question your stand location, refer back to rule #1.
The only deviation from rule #2 should be when you encounter an ornery sow with a bad attitude two nights in a row, and then have video from the third night demonstrating her nasty disposition, right Chris?
The weather has been real $hitty here. Real blustery and constant rain. Ever since Sunday. But I think considering all factors we have done fine this week. Still 2 days left.
One bait had not been hit Monday and |Tuesday. Hunter wanted to move but I talked him into staying put. Last night he watched 3 bears, one being a dandy. He was happy he took the advice. Bigger bear was all rubbed so he passed. So you are right Bob.
Another Ontario pope and young bear from yesterday. 9 bears for the week. Many real nice ones.
Saxon, getting ready for a bait run.
Been using popcorn since the 70's. Mixed with steamrolled oats and molasses, chocolate raisins, granola, pie filling and topped off with popcorn. Lots of gummi candies.
We use 2 pails per bait site.
Bowsiter, Indbearhunter (Larry), had 14 different bears at his site yesterday.
He saw a big guy the second day of his hunt, and he showed up just before dark yesterday, but held off from taking the shot.
The 14 consisted of 1 sow with 2 this years cubs, sow with 4 yearlings and a sow with 3 yearlings and a single lesser boar.
This is the one he is after. ***Date on camera should say 2016.
All those cubs better watch out for that guy! 8~)
Congrats on a great week Chris!
Bowsiter, Mb650 (Dave), with his 2nd coloured bear taken with us. Boar. Archery.
Weather cleared just after 8:00pm and this bear walked in.
***Taken only 3 miles from camp!!!
Wow, what a beautiful bear. Congrats to the hunter & to you Chris. You are having a great spring!
Beautiful colored bear! Congrats! If I just shot that you'd have to slap the smile off my face! Ha!
Got a booner today.
Bob Wisner of Michigan.
Had to skin and quarter the bear to get it out.
Gotta get meat out first, then the hide.
Had almost a 6 inch pad on him.
Wowza! Congrats on the Booner - is he missing his left front paw or is it just turned under?
It was just underneath the bear.
Looks like your having a great spring congrats to all involved.
Nice ones....congrats to all
Thanks guys. I like this spring hunting!!
Brian, it was shot on Segise #3.
Heres another pic of him.
Got another bear tonight and many others seen.
Bear Factory Bait produced a surprise for this Michigan hunter.
This bear has not shown up on the trail cam previously.
Erica and her bear.
She is here on her honeymoon.
After she took her bear we decided to call the stand The Honeymoon Suite.
Making new recruits!!!
Clay bait. There is over 14 bears visiting this site.
Cub of the year!!! There is now 4 sows with cubs at this site.
Clay Bait.
Going on an excursion to our farthest away bait. Mile 56 by dirt road. Baits are awesome there for activity.
Bear Porn! Really Chris. Only appropriate after naming Honeymoon Suite. This could open up many interesting comments but I will take the High Road! LOL
I recall working on those washouts!
Hey Chris, I say you recommend smaller bear for the remainder of the spring hunt, they taste better. Can't wait for the hunt in August and can't wait to shoot a monster of my own. Congrats to all the success this year for hints and outfitters.
Kendall Brewer, Michigan.
Curtis Kline was able to get a boar bear after weeding through all the female bears on Clay Lake Bait. Him and his new wife, tracked and gutted the bear themselves.
One hunter left for the season. Everyone this week had an opportunity. All worked together skinning their own bears, helped each other in tracking, was like one big party!!! I hunted in some areas this spring I have not used in over 20 years. I have 4 Bear management areas that I did not use this spring, saved for the fall season.
Now camp has to regroup and get ready for Fall season August 15th. Baiting will start in about 50 days. All hunts are booked for the fall.
Will hand in teeth and forms for this spring hunt and will know whats happening next year by end of July.
Only took 2 females this spring. Many bears seen but hunters took their time in sexing as the OMNRF will be looking close at the results. Looks like I was the only one spring hunting this year in this area.
Congrats to you and all the hunters on a great comeback spring season Chris. I can't wait to get there this fall. Thanks for all the pics and posts.
Out till about 2:00am tracking and retrieving.
Heres another trophy taken by one of the Michigan Bowhunters in camp.
Bowsiter, stuckintherut, Curtis and his bear he took with his bow off of Clay Bait. This old boar had grey hair on his back.
One more hunter left to get a bear!!
Would like to say a big thank you to Chris for all of his hard work last week on my hunt with him.
I had not been having much daytime activity at my stand location. Chris moved me to another bait after giving me some good pointers in sexing bears.
My wife had tagged a great bear the night before so she joined me in a double ladder stand. At about 7 pm a huge boar came in. He was very leary and knew we were there but still commited to the bait.
the boar would eat for a little bit. and then leave the area and stand in the brush for a few minutes before coming back in.
He did that three times. I drew on him three times hoping as he would spin away from me he would present a broadside shot long enough for me to send an arrow. He never did.
One time he gave me a hard quartering away that i just didnt feel comfortable with. I also had several opprotunities for a solid single lung hit but wasnt sure if I would get anything vital on the off side.
He ended up walking. However very exciting to see one that big.
Had a rubbed bear and a smaller boar over the next hour.
About 830 while the smaller boar was still a the bait another boar came in. They argued for a short time and then decided on a truce. the little bear took the bucket while the bigger bear took the bait box.
Finally the bear turned his head to the left exposing his right side. The shot was away and I was a little concerned it was too low. That concern lasted about 5 seconds. As he tore out of the area he was running into and smacking trees.
19 seconds after the shot we heard the death moan. Autopsy showed lungs and top of heart with slick trick tracks all over them.
I was very happy with my bear and my entire experience with Chris at Pine Acres.
Chris claims that he is computer illiterate but he is a regular Al Gore compared to me. So if you want see a picture of my bear it is in the previous post.
thanks again chris
Great story Curtis. Congrats on your bears! Chris is the real deal and certainly has it going on for his hunters.
Thanks Curtis, glad you and your wife enjoyed the hunt.
Saxon's turn at bear hunting. He bagged a 400 pound boar bear on Sunday. Had him and many others baited in but had to wait for time off to do a little bear hunting of his own.
I'll post a picture if I can figure out how to get it off his phone. Still learning computers.
I was wrong in my earlier post. I said 50 days till I start baiting for the Fall. Well.... I start in 28 days.
***On or about June 1rst I was stopped by 2 Kenora Conservation Officers. They were NOT too polite.
They walked into 4 of my baited sites in the far North.
After a couple of walking trips into mile 47 bait he said the bait was ILLEGAL. Said it was only 100 metres off the rough 2 track. Measured the other sites too. Said none of my baits were legal.
I told 2 Kenora Co's that I went into the Dryden District office. Had a talk with the Dryden Compliance specialist about it and he stated that the co's in Dryden district have yet to have an issue with my sites. So he deemed my baits okay to hunt this spring. Exactly where they are now. So I did.
Never heard another word from Kenora Co's. Dryden said to continue as usual!! So I did.
The stomach of Saxons bear was jammed with Army worms. There is not a poplar tree around with leaves on them.
Great food source for sows with cubs.
Forgot 2 cameras out at bait sites.
As you can tell I enjoy pictures of sows and their cubs.
Black Bluff bait.
Chris good to see you had a successful spring hunt.I was wondering if you or your hunters were seeing many deer? (mutrie area) counting the days till our deer hunt.
Dave, we were in on Monday putting out the mineral licks and scouting out the new clear cuts. One doe thought we were out setting baits as she was not spooked at all.
You'll enjoy the new areas available to hunt this year, thanks to the loggers. They built a road within our deeded land. Looking forward to this Fall.
Our Fall bear hunters staying at the Mutrie Outpost will keep us posted on sightings.
These wolves were trapped in the area of Mutrie Outpost. Trevor only traps on private lands.
Whitetails in Western Ontario have had it easy the last 2 winters. Picture was taken this past January.
Picture taken this past March.