48 Years of Bear... Pine Acres
Bears
Spring is a little slow to arrive but still have lots to get ready!! 1500 pounds of popcorn kernels popped and ready for baiting.
Saxon Popping Corn March 2022...
Saxon Popping Corn March 2022...
November 12th 2021.
November 12th 2021.
Winter started with a vengance. November 12th 2021about 18 inches of snow. Will end up with a solid 6 month winter!!
4.5 feet of snow to walk on.
4.5 feet of snow to walk on.
Was -23C yesterday. No need for snowshoes. I was walking on top of over 4 feet of snow in this picture, never once broke through. Deer are also benefiting with being able to reach another level of browse.
My guess is that ice out wont be till after May 12 at the earliest. Unless things change fast.
August 2021
August 2021
Went into Ford to get my truck serviced for Spring Bear Hunt. They had no new F150's on the lot. Said that there is about a 7 week or more wait. Will have to take care of my trucks and make them last!! On a side note the local Ski Doo dealer said all that put deposits on their new 2022 snow machine will have to wait till 2023 to get their machines.
That is a lot of popcorn!! You'd think a guy would go nuts doing all that! I get impatient doing one bowl to watch a ball game. How much beer did he go thru??
Hope the ice is out by the 12th or so. Going to be on Manitou the 16th. We do an ice out trip there every year (except the last 2). Some years not all out.
We started popping in January. In between other jobs and Sport Shows. Just now finishing up popping. There was 30 inches of ice on Cedar Lake yesterday.
January 1rst 2022.
January 1rst 2022.
Moose did good this winter. Wolves had a struggle. Whitetails are accustomed to winters no matter how easy or harsh in the North woods.
March 27th...
March 27th...
Right now is the best time to scout out areas with snoeshoes. Walk above the thick alders. Can move fast. Been out last 3 days.
Full Moon Rising!!
Full Moon Rising!!
Those hands look like they belong to an old man???? LOL
Probably from all that hot popcorn oil, screwball!
Getting closer everyday, Chris! Looking forward to it!
Nah, he's 3 months older than I am, he is old! Good to see this up and running, still remember the day they cancelled all the spring hunt. Seems not that long ago.
Nick Phelps and his dad Brian (Screwball) ... June 1998.
Nick Phelps and his dad Brian (Screwball) ... June 1998.
Here is Nick Phelps and his Dad Brian (Screwball). Turns out Nick was the last hunter in camp to take a Spring Bear in June 1998, before Ontario closed the Spring Season.
Wow, all the adventures and times we have had and been through. 34 days of work left and we can come bother all the time! Take care and tell all hello!
1983 Spring Bear...
1983 Spring Bear...
Things sure have changed throughout the years. We were about 95% rifle with a few Bowhunters back in the early years. We advertised in Petersens, Sports Afield, Outdoor Life and Bowhunter Magazine for most of the 80's and 90's. Now 90% of Pine Acres Bear hunters are Bowhunters. I thank all my early year's customers for giving me the knowledge of Bowhunting.
1987 Spring Bear...
1987 Spring Bear...
By 1987 about 45% of Pine Acres Bear hunters were Bowhunters.
Bear bait...
Bear bait...
Easy and cheap Bear Bait.... a truck bed of Suckers.
Way Back, like 40's and 50's, the loggers would live out in the bush where they worked. Bunked in the little building and kept the work horses in the barn. In the late 70's we would keep our Bear dogs here and camped near the bunkhouse to watch and feed Bear Hounds.
Now the buildings have all fallen over and have trees growing on top of them.
Last Spring Bear Hunt...
Last Spring Bear Hunt...
We baited from April 1rst last year till first week of October.
Little Bull Bait...
Little Bull Bait...
Buller #1 bait...
Buller #1 bait...
Buller #1 Bait...
Buller #1 Bait...
Bridge Bait...
Bridge Bait...
McKenzie Bait...
McKenzie Bait...
McKenzie Bait...
McKenzie Bait...
We set this new bait up last summer. We did not plan on hunting it but wanted to set it up and get bears in to get comfortable with the bait. We will hunt it Spring 2022 if things look good!!
Kid Rock Bait...
Kid Rock Bait...
Kid Rock Bait...
Kid Rock Bait...
2021 Bow Kill...
2021 Bow Kill...
Segise #3 BAIT...
Segise #3 BAIT...
Beaver Hut #3 Bait...
Beaver Hut #3 Bait...
Beaver Hut Bait...
Beaver Hut Bait...
Deer Stand Bait...
Deer Stand Bait...
Mile #5 Bait...
Mile #5 Bait...
Lake View Bait...
Lake View Bait...
Morgan Station Bait...
Morgan Station Bait...
April 21rst 2018...
April 21rst 2018...
Back in April 2018 we had a late Spring. April 21rst we had over 2 feet of snow. We baited with snowshoes. I expect the same will happen this year. We have 5 guys for the week of the May 8th week. I contacted hunters about the late Spring and they still plan on coming the 8th. Our plan is to get as many baits out so we will have more than enough baits active to ensure a successful hunt.
May 16th the camp is booked with just one large group. Things should be warmed up by then and like every other year, bears will be hungry and munching the baits like no tomorrow. Opener of Walleye on the 16th.
Spring 2019...
Spring 2019...
Bears love the recipe for our popcorn. Its very expensive. 1500 pounds of Kernels @ $1200.00. 14 pails of Canola oil for commercial poppers @$680.00. Electricity to pop. Wages to pop. Now we are mixing with used fryer oil and Jello Powder. Fryer oil is free. Went through 50 x2.2KG's bags of Jello Powder so far at $6.25 per bag. With more Jello to be purchase to finish mixing. Now wages to mix the fryer oil and powder with the dry popcorn.
Ingredients...
Ingredients...
Pour Fryer Oil on dry popcorn and Mix... till covered with oil for Jello to stick.
Pour Fryer Oil on dry popcorn and Mix... till covered with oil for Jello to stick.
Mix oil thoroughly...
Mix oil thoroughly...
Put a good layer of Jello over the Popcorn and mix. WENOW USE A SPADE SHOVEL TO MIX.
Put a good layer of Jello over the Popcorn and mix. WENOW USE A SPADE SHOVEL TO MIX.
Spring 2019...
Spring 2019...
New Bear Management Area....
New Bear Management Area....
Troy, our NEW Bear Management Area will be ready to hunt for the first time in years when you arrive... we acquired the area Spring 2020. It is mostly accessed by ATV's or side by side. We have all the areas North, NE and East of the new BMA. West of the bma is a vacant BMA, no one has rights to bear hunt within it. Another bonus is that the bma is just a 5 minute drive from camp. Also has a Wildlife preserve bordering the South side, where there is no bear hunting allowed. Good for reproduction...
This is most but not all of our Trail Camera's... we monitor the Bait sites for sows with cubs.
Knob Lake #1 Bait Site
Knob Lake #1 Bait Site
Trail Camera's watch over the baits to watch for Sows with cub of the year. It is a $25,000.00 for accidentally taking a Sow with cubs of the year during the Spring hunt. These 2 pictures show the same three cubs, a couple of months apart.
Back in the mid 90's, we had a disabled hunter asking if we could set him up in a ground blind and get him a bear. Hunter was a quadripelegic. We said we could try our best to get him his Bear.
We made a wheel chair ramp for him to be able to get into his cabin and one for the lodge. We picked a bait site that was level ground as he was bringing his 4 wheel drive wheel chair. Had a wet spot on the trail into the site we picked, so we laid plywood down for traction. Got a natural ground blind made to hide him the best we could.
He brought his male nurse who agreed to come on his hunt to help him fulfill his dream of getting his bear. Through discussions over the phone we figured out his needs and did our best to set it all up for success.
First day he wheeled himself into his bait, we set a bag of bait on his wheel chair seat between his legs, with his helper following to make sure he made it to his blind. Set him up with a gun tri pod. Barrell of rifle on the tri pod and secured the butt to his shoulder. His trigger was set as a hair trigger. One end of a leather strap was attached to the trigger and the other taped to his upper chin. All he had to do was lower his chin or however he did and the gun would go off. We aimed the rifle muzzle in the direction of the bait box.
When he was comfortable with the way we set him up we left. After an hour or so a skunk waddled in to the bait. Saw the hunter and was instantly curious of the hunter. Waddled to the wheelchair foot rest and climbed up and sniffed the spot where we set the bait on his chair. I asked him later if he was worried about spraying him and he said no as movement was the only thing that would make him spray. He could not move so he was fine. Eventually the skunk went back to the bait. Hunter never saw a bear that day. Good thing as the butt of the rifle slipped off his shoulder and he wouldn't be able to take the shot any ways.
Next day we set him at his site. Aimed the rifle at the bait box and secured the butt a little better to his shoulder. His helper stayed in his van at the trail head into his bait. Well after about 3 hours a bear finally walked into the bait. The bear did notice him but wanted the bait more than the hunter. As soon as the bear walked into the cross hairs of his scope he twitched his chin and the rifle went off. The bear took off out of site.
His helper heard him shoot. Walked in to the ground blind and he and the hunter went back to the van and went back to camp to get me. After a bit we went in and tracked his bear. Bear was laying less than 70 yards from the bait. It was an awesome hunt for the hunter, helper and us at Pine Acres.
Awesome that’s awesome Chris
Great thread and awesome you were able to get him his bear!
Thanks Spike...
Looks like we are about to get a blizzard Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Looks to be the worst snow fall this winter. Total snow fall 30 cm of wet snow. Got to like those Colorado Lows!! Hopefully it will go West of us, Ontario / Manitoba border. .
Emerging from the den.
Emerging from the den.
Bear den in culvert.
Bear den in culvert.
This Bear picked the worse place to den up for the winter... a culvert under the road. Got flooded out!!
Lucky he only got flooded out and didn’t drown him self lol.
Is the bear coming out pretty early due to being flooded out or is this about the time they normally emerge?
This is when the ones that don't pick a good den are pushed out by melting snow... I had baits hit this time last year. This bear will find another den till natural food or bait shows up.
How much new snow this morning spike?
Looks like 14 inches and still coming down Alex.
By end of Month forecast to be into the mid 50'sF..... Spring is around the corner. The extra moisture from this blizzard was well needed for our lakes. The hunters booked for May 8th have been moved to either later this Spring and next year. Every trail into bait's will have to be cleared and cleaned up after the November 12th blizzard. We have our chainsaws etc. all ready to go. Trucks have had preventative maintenance done and ready to go. Logging roads are not open so as soon as they are passable we will start baiting. Water to the cabins should flow as soon as we turn on the taps. Early snow kept frost from going very deep. We have a plan will see if it all works out!!
After 48 years of working with my dad at Bear Camp, I have had to deal with any issue pertaining to getting ready for a hunt. Anything that could possibly go wrong has one time or other in all the years. Wash outs, frozen water lines, impassable roads in the Spring I have seen it all unfortunately. But because we have dealt with such issues, we can handle anything put in front of it.... I Hope!! One year we turned on the water to the cabins and no water flowed. We had to run hoses from main water building to each cabin. Worked out.
Adapt and over come spike! That’s what separates the best from the rest
Have some bear tags available for Fall 2022. August 14 to 20th.... August21rst to 27th and September 4th. Can use tags any of these weeks.4 tags available. Must be vaccinated.
Semi guided.... includes own cabin, tree stands set for archers, tracking and retrieval, stand by sites for 6 days. $1550.00 USD. plus .13 tax and $250.00 license.
1-807-221-9793 or 1-807-227-2073 or email at [email protected].
3 tags left. Also advertised on Facebook...
Brian I have tags for Kathy and Jerry.
You rock, hey I'll call you later today, need to chat a little. You guys take care.
We got 30 cm of snow out of this storm... or 13 inches. Still have a month before hunters arrive. All logging roads are completely snowed in.
Morning Bear...
Morning Bear...
Is it a Nocturnal Bear or a Morning Bear. It can even be a mid day Bear!!
Many in Spring and Fall do not hunt morning hours. Some say you'll scare the bear off and the bear will not return after being Bumped off the bait as the hunter walks in to hunt. We have knocked bears off of baits in the early hours only to have the bumped Bear or one of the many others return a few minutes later. If you hunt in the Spring we all know you can be out till 12:30 am or later. Gets dark at 10:30 pm, daylight at 4:30 am. If you hunt evening and the next morning it can get tiring but your here for only a week so why not!! *** How many bump a bear off a bait walking in for an afternoon hunt. You well know the bear will usually return as he is hungry. If the barrel is kept full, should have other bears creating competition at the barrel.
One of the main reasons for some not hunting bears during the morning hours is because bear hunters are told or have read morning hunts are a waste of time.... It isn't a waste of time but a way to increase your success when you are not seeing the bear you want during an afternoon sit.
Take a look at the times stamped on the pictures that I post.
If your hunting a Big Bear on a certain bait that's hit every time you leave in the evening, try a morning hunt or 3. Ask your outfitter to arrange for you to sit the bait in the morning. Don't move to another bait if not seeing him during an afternoon sit but again hunt the morning. I have a lot of big bears on camera all during daylight hours, from daybreak to 2:00 PM and of course during afternoon and evening hours.
Snoozing at the bait...
Snoozing at the bait...
Same bear as above 3rd picture
Same bear as above 3rd picture
Picture #1,#2 and #4 taken around 6:30 AM....These bear's know a human is feeding him. Quite a few times I would bait (Pic #1 and #2) before noon and he'd be at the bait waiting for me. He would only go about 30 yards and wait for me to fill the barrel. One time I climbed the stand after rebaiting and watched him come right in within 5 minutes.
No reason why a hunter can't sneak in and climb the stand before daylight or even after daylight for that matter.
The third and fourth picture shows a larger bear will hit Morning and nite.
*** Notice the date on the first 2 pictures?? April 16th last year.
Mid Day Bear...
Mid Day Bear...
This Bear hit all hours of the day... A full bait barrel will create competition for the bait by many bears. Bears will try and get bait before others. Like this picture shows, 11:00 am or so.
You left out one BIG reason not to hunt in the morning, Chris……It cuts into the walleye fishing! ;-)
Hopefully you guys start seeing some thawing weather up there soon.
That is true Troy. Fishing can cut into the success if a hunter focuses too much on Fishing. That is the big reason we took the boat and motor out of our Bear Hunting Packages. I'll be talking about that soon on this thread.
Quibell Lake April 16th 2022.
Quibell Lake April 16th 2022.
April 16th 2022.
April 16th 2022.
Don't expect ice out until at least the 20th of May. Out snow shoeing again yesterday. But once it decides to warm up snow will disappear fast.
Is it suppose to be global warming or an ice age about to happen LOL.
A Bear will emerge from his den when he is ready. Especially if he picks a poor den the Fall before. We will have bait out waiting for them. We plan on filling barrels starting this week using snow machines!! We will put a log into the hole of the barrels to keep small animals out. Once a bear emerges from his den, he has many spots to nest for the cold nights on hillsides free of snow. Climbing under spruce boughs or rock outcrops where the sun melted the snow. Like our Whitetails... they know how to adapt!!
50 pound bag.
50 pound bag.
I am surprised our grain has not gone up much. Only $2.00 increase from last year. This bag is 50 lbs of Steam Rolled oats corn and molasses. We manually mix this with pie filling and sticky candy. Good filler bait to add to our popcorn recipe. There is an increase to cost of bait this year but not real noticeable. Fill a barrel right up with bait means don't have to check as often, I like it when I check a bait and there is still a bit left. Means the check is at the right time interval. As season goes on, more activity at sites I will increase check interval's to keep full. Barrels save cost of gas big time. So, overall baiting bears in 2022 will be a slight increase.... and I spare no bait when it comes to feeding bears!! Only reason for an increase in our cost of bear hunting for 2023 ( $1550.00 t0 $1650.00) is for wages to my guides, which they deserve.
The OMNRF has decided not to charge the Outfitter for their BMA's this year. A BIG savings. Also, Federal Government will pay 75% of my guides wages till end of May. I employed my guides all winter for the first time because of the wage subsidy. Which is available for all Businesses in all of Canada that were affected by the pandemic, all they have to do is apply.
All I can say is a bunch of those bears up above better end up on the 2022 bear success thread we’re counting on Pine acres to deliver at least 50 to that thread this year
New BMA...
New BMA...
Here's a real slob of a Bear...
Didn't want to, but we ended up feeding this Bear at our deer site till it denned in November. Then this same bear hit the bait as soon I put the bait out again the next / last Spring. She was eating a 50 pound bag of grain in a couple of days. I can never deny a hungry Bear food!!
We get all the outdated potato chips. Have about 20 barrels of chips.
We get all the outdated potato chips. Have about 20 barrels of chips from 2019. Finally get to use up all our stashed bait this Spring.
Making of Bear Granola...
Making of Bear Granola...
Potato Chips and Pop Tarts...
Potato Chips and Pop Tarts...
Crushed chocolate bars...
Crushed chocolate bars...
Finished product.... Bear Granola.
Holy crap that’s A lot of granola lol. Looks yummy tho. Bet the bears love it
Me getting hungry in the stand..."Don't eat out of the barrel, Don't eat out of the barrel." :)
WOW! Your bears eat WELL Chris!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is a ton of work just for baiting.....................
LMBO Brotsky!
File picture
File picture
This goes in one barrel. In each bucket there's 2 shovel full's of Granola, rest is popcorn to start up a bait. Six pails per barrel. Then as the bears get more active at the barrel we use more granola than popcorn. Bear's love the recipe we have for our popcorn, they eat it up instantly. Problem is the popcorn recipe is not enough to keep them at a bait as it goes right through them. That's the reason we use a lot of filler bait. They eat it and they are satisfied for awhile.
Other than the bags of grain, the rest of the bait we are using has been stored since 2019. We are going to Lucky Seven Bear Baits tomorrow for a new stash of bait for this Spring and Fall.
That’s amazing you were there right when the bear came out of hibernation!
This is the kind of den that gets flooded out early. Also, you can see the air holes (Vents) in the snow coming from the den below in Winter, which alerts you to the den. Also they just poke their heads out a few times before they actually emerge from the den for good.
Good luck Chris it’s going to be a good one blessings.
Thanks Alex.... hope you have a great season and Happy Easter to you!!
"NEW" Single and double Man stands ready to go...
"NEW" Single and double Man stands ready to go...
Minnesota
Minnesota
Thought we would go and get 3 truck loads of bait and ran into a snow storm after we crossed into the USA.
*** Warning says parts of Manitoba will get up to 50cm of snow this weekend. I reread it 5 times to see if I read it right!! Another Colorado Low coming our way. The local weather forecaster for Dryden just gave out a flood warning for the weekend. Said 2 inches of rain along with melting snow.
2000 lbs of Pop Tarts.
2000 lbs of Pop Tarts.
Snows melting pretty good. All rain so far.
Getting closer by the day, Chris!…..Can’t wait!
Will be here before we know it Troy. You booked for this hunt back in 2019. Finally get to bear hunt with us. We have a boat and trailer available if time allows for some Walleye fishing!!
Great update and pics! Thanks
Thanks Mike... Have a great 2022 season.
Clay Lake Bait...
Clay Lake Bait...
Segise #4 Bait...
Segise #4 Bait...
The Colorado Low gave us 2 days of rain.... no snow Thankfully!!
Got a few more sites baited up today. Lots of snow out there. But had a great time on the snow machines. The closest we can get to each bait is 100 meters.
Digging out the barrel
Digging out the barrel
We cut a log the size of the hole in the barrel to keep Martens and Fishers out. When we dug out the barrel at Double Dam Bait a squirrel ran out of it. Was happy to see his only reliable food source show up.
Roads will be impassable for the next week or so, so we have to get all the baits out now for the week of the 15th.
Segise #4 Bait
Segise #4 Bait
We brought trail camera's with us today when we baited but decided not to set them up, as the eye of the camera would be too high. Would have had to dig a trench in the snow from the bait to cam.
Got a few Color’s how much snow there Chris?
Alex, we have quite a bit of snow. A bit more than your area I think. But we have a warm up coming.
Had a fun time baiting a few more sites today. Was a real work out though.
Meadow Bait...
Meadow Bait...
Couldn't get the snow machines in to Meadow Bait so we trecked 1.5 km by snowshoes into the site. Is a good site so we wanted it done. We will clean up the trail when the snow gone.
Helicopter Bait...
Helicopter Bait...
Segise #4 Bait...
Segise #4 Bait...
Oh boy.................................looks like somebody got stuck! ;-)
Just curious....................................how big an area do your baits cover? Just wondering because the snow cover looks very different in certain areas.
We were stuck for about an hour... was a work out for sure!!
April 27th 2022.
April 27th 2022.
The South sides of the hills where the sun don't shine there is about 4 feet of snow. Pretty well all baits so far are in the same general area. We move to another Bear Management area tomorrow. We can only bait in the mornings as it warms up to much for the snow machines by noon.
Oh, ok- that explains it!
They need to get you on that show MOUNTAIN MEN! : )
I feel your pain Chris. I was baiting a couple days ago not able to climb argo outta this water hole 2’ of slushy snow was like driving into a wall and no place to winch to. I shovelled a gradual ramp and put some logs down for track traction. Got a booter so was happy not to walk home.
Ha... Rob I was wet up to my arm pits, but still got the bait done. I was worried about the snow machine getting too hot. Have a good hunt Rob and be safe in your baiting travels!!
Chocolate Bear with a blonde stripe along his back...
Chocolate Bear with a blonde stripe along his back...
Beaver Hut #1 Bait...
Beaver Hut #1 Bait...
Took 8 hours to get just six baits out. Was another workout.
Smarter than the average Bear...
Smarter than the average Bear...
Pine Grove bait...
Pine Grove bait...
We have another Colorado Low coming starting Saturday. I expect this system ( Rain ) will knock down alot of snow.
Great entertaining thread. Good luck this spring.
Kyle catching some Walleyes from shore...
Kyle catching some Walleyes from shore...
Have a great Spring your self Bearman....
This fisherman stopped along the way to his bait site to get some Walleye fishing in. Our hunters can fish the many Lakes and Rivers by casting from shore.
As mentioned earlier, we took the Boat and Motor out of the Bear Hunting Package. Each morning we have a pow wow in the lodge with the hunters. We discuss what hunters need to do to increase their success over many pots of coffee. We go over trail cam pictures, if their bait has a cam set up. Give tips on what to look for in a bigger Bear. Tips on what to look for in Sow versus Boar. Such as is that a sow with cubs or not. In the old days when we included a Boat and Motor, hunters were missing out on these information sessions. They were out on the lake fishing!!
*** After hunters are shown their baits, they must rebait the site on their own after we show them how. Its Important to get as much info from us as you can to increase their success. Because we do not include fishing, the hunters have extra time to be picky as they do not have to rush to bag a bear to get out on the lake. Hunters were taking the first bears they saw just because they wanted to get out on the lake. Then complain that all he took a smaller bear than he wanted to... the guide didn't force him to pull the trigger!!
Ontario has some monster Bears.... ***patience***, along with getting enough knowledge from your guide, will help a hunter achieve his goal of bagging a trophy bear!!
The minute this hunter arrived in camp, he had a bad attitude, 2012. was grumpy when he arrived. As we were taking him out to his stand he said that he read on the internet (Hunting sites) and by talking to hunters, that Ontario only produced small bears. So what did he do, he took the very first bear he saw. Turned out to be a smaller bear. I again asked him why he shot the bear if he wasn't happy with it. He didn't answer!!
Don't listen to all the know it alls' about Ontario Bears. We have in Ontario, the "BIG BEAR" Genetics, to produce Pope and Young Bears consistently!!! Just be patient and don't guide the guide.
Pope and Young. Bear was aged at 21 years old... Same week as above hunter
Pope and Young. Bear was aged at 21 years old... Same week as above hunter
The 2nd bear picture was the same week. Was aged at 21 years old.
Make sure you bring your Therma Cell with you into the stand..... or maybe 2!!
May 8th week has been cancelled... the week of May 15th is a go!! ***Hunters will be moved to a later date in 2022 not rolled over to 2023!! Deposits only good for 2022 Spring or Fall. Baits are out and will be checked in a few days. Off to the states tomorrow to get another couple of truck loads of bait from Lucky Seven. Normally the bait is shipped to Dryden but apparently Fishing camps that get bait from Lucky, don't want it for another week or more.
Weather looks awesome this coming week. Lots of warm rain. Week was cancelled as we needed to do a bit more work around camp and bait sites. Not because of covid.
Next post will be when I get back from states Tuesday about tracking wounded bears and Bear Meat.
It has gone from Winter to Summer here. Was 72 F today. Enough snow has melted enabling us to be able to drive on the logging roads. Still quite a bit of snow in the bush.
Hope to see some pics soon.
It’s about time to start packing my gear for our arrival next Sunday. I though this may be my first bear hunt with out a Thermacell but sounds like we will need it. I’m glad the roads are starting to clear. Do you have any cameras out.
No camera's out yet. Will get some out soon. No therma cell needed next week Jason. Got water turned on to all the cabins and camp cleaned up of broken trees and branches. Got summer temps but still knee deep of snow in the bush, but melting fast!
Todays Bait Run... got to 5 of them. Most likely not to have any trail camera's up before the weekend.
Going out to a few more sites this afternoon till dark... about 74F out so snow going fast except Southern slopes.
HWY # 605
HWY # 605
Against all odds.... we got our baits out we wanted to. We had to guess where the road bed was as we were driving. At one point it seemed like my truck was floating sideways in the current.
***Going to get a 2 sided sword Sunday.... there is a Colorado low coming and dropping a $hit load of rain the next 2 days. We need the rain to get rid of the snow but dont need any more flooding. HWY #105 is washed out and HWY#17 looks like it will be flooded tomorrow at Eagle river. We had to wait for a canoe to cross over HWY#105. Weird stuff happening LOL
None of these floods impact accessing the bait sites. All have detours.
Hi water/floods can really present challenges.
Hmm hopefully the flooding will concentrate the bears to your bait sites. I bet a lot a bears got flooded out of the dens.
HWY #105
HWY #105
Thanks Grape, looking forward for things to settle down here weather wise. Don't have any bear pictures to show but here are some from the area.
Jason, usually when a bear comes out of his den he goes straight to a bait that he's visited the Fall before. My sites were active till den up last Fall.
Good luck to those able to Bear hunt this week!!
We might have to throw our hip boots in for our hunt in a few weeks, Chris!! Hopefully things settle out for you guys, shortly.
So, back in March, as we were coming back from shows, we stopped and got detailed info on what's needed to get Bear Bait over the border. She explained everything and suggested we get a customs broker.
2 weeks ago we crossed and went to Cambridge with 3 trucks, loaded up and arrived at the booth at border. Showed our Broker papers and a little look over of the goods we were free to go.
Last Monday crossed to get 2 more truck loads. Arrived at the border, showed brokers papers for bait and went inside. Instantly the same lady who told us what to do in March and passed our load of bait 2 weeks ago, denied us access into Canada.
She said that all bait could not be in the manufacturers original containers and must say "Not for human consumption". So had to go back into states. Found a Taxidermist place and paid him to take all the empty boxes. We had to pull bags of goods out of the boxes and write on each bag "Not For Humans" with a marker pen. We had another crate of squeeze packages that we had to squeeze all the contents out of into five gallon pails we had to get at Menards. About midnight we were ready to cross back into Canada.
Reached the border went inside. He stamped our broker papers and we were free to go. I asked how to lodge a complaint and he would not tell me. I called them a few choice words and left.
We have anothe semi load coming from Lucky next week. Got 9 pallets coming.
Mile #8 Bait...
Mile #8 Bait...
Was out checking the logging roads... All holding up fine. Finally getting some hits. Heavy logs being pulled out of Barrels. Bait barrel's still half full.
Forgot a trail cam at a bait... this is a new bait site set up last Fall. Never hunted the site but will be in a week or so.
Lucky Seven Bear Baits sent my nine pallets of Bait today.... here is some candy corn 1800 lbs of it and 2000 lbs of trail mix.
Bear activity is picking up just in time... 1 bait run of 4 were all hit hard. Glad we decided to cancel the week of May 8th. We needed the extra time to get things done.
We started to put trail cams on baits today.... the five nails are protecting the cams from bears. Works great and have not lost a camera since I started using nails. After I am done, I can just pull the nails.
Trans Canada HWY #17 East of Vermilion Bay has been closed with no date for reopening... All the Watersheds are over flowing.
Trans Canada HWY #17 East of Vermilion Bay has been closed with no date for reopening... All the Watersheds are over flowing.
We have 25 to 50 ml of rain to fall in the next 2 days. When hunters cross into Canada, take HWY #11 West to #71 North to HWY #17. Go East to Vermilion Bay. Do Not Take HWY # 502 to get to Pine Acres. My cell is 1-807-221-9793 for any questions on Hwy closures.
No one can get to Red Lake right now as there is deep water over the Hwy at several spots, with another wash out #105.
*** All our Bear sites are still accessible.
Spike, is there a site we can go to that will give us up-to-date road information? Headed up to Red the end of this month, at least I hope too.
Inshart, can Google Ontario 511. Then log in to get all info on roads across Ontario.
This Bailey Bridge is what we have to cross on the detour to Red Lake.
That’s a good bear. I’d like to meet him
Amazing amount of hard work, effort, and knowledge going into this!
Good idea on the nails. Gonna try that. Let's get to killn bears. (Grin)
Our huge KS group of 13 is ready to head up starting today. We are doing a trickle start over the next 2 days so we don’t all get to camp at one time. Bear hunts are the best hunt for getting a large group of buddies together for a trip. You don’t have to worry about to many guys pushing the elk out or the cost of some outfitted hunts keep some buddies from going. Last time I had a big group we took 26 to Quebec with a couple guys only fishing. This will be our first time with Chris and so far the communication has been great and we are all looking forward to getting up there. This is earlier than we usually go but I’m hoping the dumb ones will be out and about.
It's amazing how 2.5 feet of snow disappeared so quick!! Weather is to calm down this week coming up. Hunters will be scattered around to keep all on hit baits. They are not hitting hard but show good interest. The intestinal plug need to pop still. Usually when the leaf bud pops on the poplar trees, the bears will voraciously eat them. The grasses are turning green fast.
There are still fallen trees everywhere on the roads and trails into bait sites. We got the baits active first, now still cleaning up walking trails. Shooting lanes have been cleaned up of fallen trees. We have 3 baits you can drive to right up to by ATV. Atv's and side by side's will come in handy this spring. One road with 4 good hits now has water over the road. Before the rain last night had to go through 30 inches of water, hopefully with the thunder storms last night it did not get deeper. Bring lots of flagging tape Jason.
Overall kinda excited to get hunters in the bush for the first official Spring Bear hunt in 24 years. Up till now it has been just a pilot hunt but Ontario Government has approved a full spring Bear hunt indefinately.
We have the SxS hooked up and I’m bringing some water wings incase the creeks rise much more. Lots of flagging tape and my Inreach incase I get lost walking out in the dark you can come get me. Is there cell service at camp?
There is cell service at camp.
Truck Bait...
Truck Bait...
Coming from the states, what is the best way to get there and what about vehicle rentals if flying in? It looks like4x4 rentals are pretty pricey...
Just wondering how most guys do it.
Thanks,
Junction Bait... First Hit for this bait.
Junction Bait... First Hit for this bait.
Those coming to Pine Acres can fly to International Falls Mn and rent a vehicle. A 4x4 pickup isn't always needed. We have Baits accessible by suv and a couple by car.
Mutrie Rock Bait... 2 different Bears so far.
Mutrie Rock Bait... 2 different Bears so far.
Bear tried to eat the camera but failed... nails work so far!!
Mile 8 Bait...
Mile 8 Bait...
Check out my facebook page.... "Pine Acres Bear Camp" and see this bridges devastation. Its now on its way down to Hudsons Bay!! This bridge is the most western edge of my North BMA North of Kenora!!
The walleyes biting there? LOL That's crazy!
Meadow Bait...
Meadow Bait...
First afternoon out was windy but a few saw and got arrows flying. Unfortunately the 2 Bears are still walking to hit another bait in the future. Tracked each Bear for 3 to 4 hours each. The 2 hunters can continue to hunt for the same Bears they arrowed. A hit Bear will have a pie plate area of matted dry blood and mud when they try to pack the wound.
****Notice the time on the picture!!
17 Point Bait...
17 Point Bait...
Was windy when this picture was taken. The Bear came in and out a few times before the hunter was able to get a shot.
Truck Bait...
Truck Bait...
We have a Grandmother, grandson and Son in one cabin. The grandma was able to get a video of a weasel sneaking in and out of the barrel. A little bit later her Bear walked in. Unfortunately the Bear saw her and spooked as she was drawing her bow. Hunters in Camp are a great bunch of hunters. Sure hope for warmer weather and the fronts to disappear for them to see more Bears!!
Deer Stand Bait...
Deer Stand Bait...
Creek Bait... First Hit for this bait.
Creek Bait... First Hit for this bait.
Cedar Bait...
Cedar Bait...
Looks like some nice bears this year. Glad ya made it through the bs of the last couple years Chris! Can’t wait to get some hillbilly’s back up there. Good luck to you and everyone hunting with ya this year.
Last year in Minnesota, I was seeing 4_8 bears each morning just glassing. Overnight the switch flipped to a total dead zone. You guys up there, the switch is gonna flip. Gonna happen!
You are right Bearman... we just tagged the Bear the hunter wounded the other night. He said it was easy to pick him out. Thanks Dave.
Mile #8 Bait...
Mile #8 Bait...
Creek Bait...
Creek Bait...
This is where Clay Lake continues as Wabigoon River. The road on the right is where my Northern Bear Areas end. Our BMA has road access all the way through to this bridge.
This is where Clay Lake continues as Wabigoon River. The road on the right is where my Northern Bear Areas end. Our BMA has road access all the way through to this bridge.
2016 picture taken from bridge
2016 picture taken from bridge
We have a rainfall warning for the next 18 hours. Also some snow to Fall Friday. Baits are slowly starting to hit. Most hunters have seen and passed bears. A couple of hunters released arrows and did not connect and a few bears hit the dirt. Not all hunters this week had opportunities.
Wow, that is amazing Chris, So us in the non-metric world how many inches of rain have you received. Tell Lottie, Saxon, and Joslin hello!
Over 380 cm of snow and a bait bucket at the Bears Den says about 9 inches of rain from just the last week.
380 cm= 12.46 feet of snow
Brian, they rebuilt Wabigoon River Road, graveled Soma and graded them all. There is a community of Eton Rugby with no access to the rest of the world, this rebuilt road through my BMA gives them access. Now we have a new road but a longer ride to bma's as bridge on Eton Rugby Road is way under water.
*** to get to Red Lake you have to take a detour through Quibel Ontario, HWY 647 to 609 to 105. Light trucks only. Be ready if your pulling a boat to Red Lake as road is very muddy and closed after dark. Our Bear hunters are considered local traffic so we can always access the baits . ALSO.... they suggest those travellers going to Red Lake take a rail Bed out of Dryden to Ear Falls instead of using Quibell detour to 105. Google Ontario 511 for more info.
Bridge Bait...
Bridge Bait...
Back to Bear hunting now.... here is Bridge Bait where we have a long bow hunter hunting.
Lake Bait....
Lake Bait....
Soma #2 Bait...
Soma #2 Bait...
This Bears fresh out of the den.... First Hit of the year for this bait....
Clay Lake Bait...
Clay Lake Bait...
I noticed that the camera's are looking foggy. The nail on top of camera is dripping the coating of the nails onto lens in all the rain. I think I fixed the problem.
Colenso Creek Bait...
Colenso Creek Bait...
I noticed the Cubs all came through the winter healthy. I had these little guys on camera last Fall also.
Ear Falls this morning... May 20th.
It (Winter) just won’t end this year for y’all! : (
I would love to get some of that global warming Greta talks about!!
Chris of Missouri
Chris of Missouri
Cedar Bait...
Cedar Bait...
The group last week endured daily rain and snow. We decided to give them an extra 4 days at a deep discount of hunting to cover the rain days. It worked... 2 Bears to track this morning. 1 more hunter to go!!
What a great gesture Spike!!
Detour to Red Lake or Ear Falls
Detour to Red Lake or Ear Falls
Just for those fisherman or hunters wanted to drive to Ear Falls or Red Lake... here is the recommended detour to those towns.
We hiked to the bridge to see how much damage there was. Its unrepairable.
A couple of bowkills this afternoon...
Couple goods ones! Congrats guys!
Chaval Rd Bait... side by side needed.
Chaval Rd Bait... side by side needed.
Chris Lindsey....
Chris Lindsey....
Got some Bears last week. Some the hunters took care of so never got pictures of them all.
*** Most Bears are tracked the night of to save the meat.
Cris…….Brotsky and I have a side by side……..just sayin! ;-)
No white blaze on that bear t-roy, I'll drop you off somewhere else on my way to that bait :)
I have Brotsky and Troy hunting Chaval baits. Going there again this aft. Will post pics. Bait names are Chaval mile 5 and 17 Point.
Need helmets guys. Bring comfy cushions for stand.
Another Big Guy on Colenso Creek Bait. I will post pics later. Pic on FB Brotsky.
There might be just a hint of white peeking out, Brotsky;-)
Hunt is getting close Chris, starting to get pumped...hope there are still a few big boars roaming when we get there. I ran the gauntlet last time looking for the right one, hopefully this is the year for me.
Looks like baits are heating up and clients are putting down some great bears! Looking forward to getting up there next week
Shook Bait site...
Shook Bait site...
Soma Creek Bait site...
Soma Creek Bait site...
Colenso Creek Bait Site....
Colenso Creek Bait Site....
The big guys (Boars) are there NoDaker.... All we can do is get the bait active. Get things into place and the rest is up to the Bear and the hunter!!
Gretchen Bait...
Gretchen Bait...
Gully Bait Site...
Gully Bait Site...
A grey one on Gretchen bait very unusual. Nice now stack'em up like cord wood!
Deer Stand Bait...
Deer Stand Bait...
Mutrie Rock Bait...
Mutrie Rock Bait...
I know Chris, right place right time. The last hunt up there I must have saw 20 plus bears... The Weather looks like it should be great while we're there. Hoping that will have the bruisers up and moving!
Patrick, long range says only rain day the week your here is Friday. Lets hope it dont change!!
Tracked 2 Bears yesterday. Found one , the other we decided after jumping the Bear out of its bed, to leave until this morning. Found the Bear but there was nothing left of it. Thats why we like to track the night of the bear being hit.
Kurt Lange with his 2 sons.
Kurt Lange with his 2 sons.
Bull Moose on Deer Lake Road...
Bull Moose on Deer Lake Road...
Almost hit this guy on Deer Lake Road...
Spike Buck. What is your opinion on trailing bear. Here's mine. Once the bloodtrail hits about 70 yards I think "oh shit". Once it hits 100 yards I say, "odds of finding this bear are not good at all.
Well.... the bear they tracked last night was tracked until they thought they heard the bear get up in front of them. Was about 100 yards. Lots of blood. We also know the bear was gut shot from what we could tell. The next morning was tracking the blood trail by 6:00 am and they came upon the bear. Ran about 150 yards. Bear was all eaten by another animal.
My theory was the animal that was eating on the bear is what they thought was the bear getting out of its bed the night before. The bear was a total loss.
Got him!!
Got him!!
Chris asked me to post this pic of the bear above taken by this young man from New Mexico. George is also a Marine. Semper Fi George!!
Its a Boar Bear... only killed one sow this Spring so far.
Congrats to George and thank you for your service!
Anxiously waiting for t-roy and Brotsky to get on the board! Good luck, fellas!
Chris, is 17 from Dryden to camp still closed from the flooding?
Brotsky saw multiple Bears the first sit... Including the big guy. Yesterday everyone had to leave their stands early as Tornado warnings were posted on cell phones or was just pouring rain. Troy has not seen anything yet. Pulled sd cards off their baits today and a Bear was at Troy's just after daybreak this morning. Brotsky bait showed a good one at his bait when he arrived at his site at 3:04 pm Yesterday. Been raining since 8:00 pm Yesterday.
Hwy 17 has no water on it now. Just on shoulders.
Pine Grove Bait...
Pine Grove Bait...
Beaver Hut #1 Bait...
Beaver Hut #1 Bait...
Having a great time at Pine Acres! Just need the bear I want to give me a chance, smaller ones like this get shot with the camera:)
Segise #4 Bait...
Segise #4 Bait...
Segise #1 Bait...
Segise #1 Bait...
Colenso Creek Bait...
Colenso Creek Bait...
Wolf Snare Bait...
Wolf Snare Bait...
Monk Bait...
Monk Bait...
Beaver Hut #1 Bait...
Beaver Hut #1 Bait...
Winds are always calmer during the early morning hours. Unless there are storm fronts moving through. Winds will pick up as the sun rises and diminish towards sunset. Because of the constant storm fronts moving through our area the last couple of weeks, we have mostly morning bears showing up on our cameras, again calmer winds in early morning. So finally I have hunters going out before daylight tomorrow.
Always listen to your guide/outfitter!
Hopefully the morning hunt will produce a few bears!
Mile 48 Deer Lake Road....
Mile 48 Deer Lake Road....
Had to break up a fight today...
Picture from today...
Picture from today...
Calves have dropped...
5 Bears taken tonight.
Great week of bear hunting at Pine Acres!!
Great week of bear hunting at Pine Acres!!
Brotsky...
Brotsky...
Atta boy brotsky! Way to get it done
Some good looking bears hitting the ground! Hopefully you’ve still got a few tied up for next week. See you in camp tomorrow
Jesse Smith and his Boar. Archery.
Jesse Smith and his Boar. Archery.
Jesse Smith came in a day late because of mechanical problem on the way up to hunt. We asked him if he wanted to stay and hunt this afternoon and he did. Put him on the closest bait to camp. He got this Bear on Chaval 17 point Bait. Last minute Bear!!
Well, I was only a day late, Chris! Congrats to Jesse, on the 17pt bait!
Had a ton of fun at Pine Acres, last week. Had some tough weather conditions to deal with during our hunt. I had this guy come into the bait on the last 2 nites, and he gave me tons of shot opportunities, but I was hoping the bigger bear that was on camera would show up, but he was a no-show during shooting hours. This guy was a very pretty bear.
This is the morning view from the Chavel 17pt bait site.
The bear I passed on, came into and left the bait 4 different times, the last night of my hunt. The first time was only about 15 minutes after I crawled up into the stand at 2pm. I looked behind me, and he was standing in the opening at 10 yards. It’s amazing how quiet they can be!
The third time he left, he headed somewhat back towards where I had parked the UTV. About 30 minutes or so later, I heard what sounded like something scraping against hard plastic. Chris had mentioned earlier in the week that bears seem to like to chew on atv seats. I was positive that Yogi was molesting Justin’s Honda, so I bailed out of the stand and hustled back to where I had parked it. Thankfully, I found it no worse for wear, so I started slipping back towards my blind.
You’re required to have your bow cased after legal shooting light. I carried my bow in the case partway into the stand, and had stashed it along the trail, laying it at an angle, so the persistent rain showers would run off of the cover. As I walked past it, I noticed it was laying on the ground a little more askew than how I remembered leaving it, but didn’t study on it much at the time. As I continued back to the stand, I spied a 5gal bucket attached to a tree, back in the bush, nowhere near the bait site. I’m certain that the bear was messing around with that bucket, as it was roughly in the same vicinity as where the noise had been coming from.
While we were packing up to leave the next morning, I noticed some definite bite or claw marks on my case! Very minimal damage, but he had definitely been taste testing it! Lucky for him that I didn’t know that he had been messing with my equipment. I might have changed my mind about putting an arrow through him, just for the principle of it;-)
T-roy (Colenso Creek) Bait...
T-roy (Colenso Creek) Bait...
T-Roy Bait
T-Roy Bait
Checked the camera today Troy, he was back with a sow on Saturday. Pictures show he is a late morning Bear. Right place at the right time!! Look at the time on second picture.... checked time on camera and its right on time.
We enjoyed having you and Justin in camp, thank you!!
Un-friggen believable!!
Story of my life! :-(
At least I got a stand named after me! ;-)
Jones Rd #3...
Jones Rd #3...
Really enjoyed our time in camp with Chris and Saxon. Very knowledgeable guys who love bear hunting and run a great camp. The cabins were clean and comfortable, the stands were great, and best of all there are plenty of bears! Anyone following this thread that is considering booking a hunt, you should pull the trigger and make it happen. You won't regret your trip to Pine Acres!
Thanks Brotsky, you and Troy were great hunters fun to chat with and a pleasure to work with.
Bowhunter John took this Bear yesterday afternoon. Great Bear... Congrats John!!
Wilderness Air Escapes...
Wilderness Air Escapes...
Got this snapshot while photo graphing our bears taken last night. 7 nice Bear taken this week!! Check out our FB Page... "Pine Acres Bear Camp"
HWY #105 still flooded.
HWY #105 still flooded.
Wolf Snare Bait...
Wolf Snare Bait...
3 Bears taken last night... Troy, Chad and his dad shot a couple of nice ones!!
Good to hear, Chris! Looking forward to getting the recap from Chad!
Here are the Bears from this week...
Beaver Hut #3 Bait.... this bear makes it through Spring Season!!
Beaver Hut #3 Bait.... this bear makes it through Spring Season!!
Another that makes it to Fall....
Another that makes it to Fall....
2 out 5 bears have no hair to speak of... many Bears were passed this Spring because of it. Never seen rubbed Bears as much as this year.
Bill Berning....
Bill Berning....
Got into treestand at 4:00 this afternoon and tagged by 5:00.
Here are the Bears we were able to get pictures of. Many Bears were taken care of by the hunters, we did not get pictures of.
Had a great time! Looking forward to next year.
Enjoyed having you Steve...
Hunt went fast this Spring. Seems like it just started. About 35 more days till we start baiting for Fall 2022.
Anyone who wants to come for a Fall 2022 contact me at 1-807-221-9793. Email at [email protected].
Off the deck of Quibell Outpost
Off the deck of Quibell Outpost
End of the Spring Hunt... Thanks for all who came to Pine Acres for the 2022 Spring Bear...
MILE 8 Bait...
MILE 8 Bait...
Last day of Spring today.... went and took a few pictures on a bait. Didn't like his picture taken.
WOW!!!……gorgeous bear, Chris!
