French River Bear Outfitters
"Black Bear Canada"
Contact us:
(519) 831-3989
frenchriverbear@yahoo.ca
300,0000 Acres of Bear Territory
French River Bear Outfitters now operate 5 exclusive Bear Management Area’s. These wilderness-hunting areas total over 300,000 acres of some of the most sublimely beautiful shield country Ontario has to offer. Most bait sites are within a � hour drive from camp.
A 1989 study estimated a conservative bear density of 160 bears/per 100 sq. miles. Over the following 10 years the bear population in my area continued to grow and flourish. In 1999 the Ontario spring hunt was cancelled. This reduced our annual harvest of 12000 bears by up to 75%. Spring hunter numbers far surpassed that of the fall hunter. This reduction in hunter pressure left more sows in the bush to produce a bumper crop of cubs. This lack of hunting pressure, combined with a long cycle of mild winters has caused our population to explode far beyond that of the 1989 study!
Not only are the total numbers of bear growing, but also so are the numbers and availability of mature adult bears. With this lack of hunting pressure, plus 22 years of guiding only bow hunters, its no wonder that our bear density is increasing astronomically, that our average size is increasing, that the opportunity for you the hunter to connect with that trophy bear is at an all time high!
Baiting Bear
FRBO uses only biodegradable matter such as meat scraps, beaver and sweets for bait. The sites are cleaned and maintained daily. Baiting commences one month in advance of your arrival, and are replenished daily. Each individual will be provided with a number of active sites to ensure his or her success.
For bow hunting all bait sites have been designed and set up with you, the bow hunter in mind by our team of professional bow hunting guides. Long ago, we honed the art of enticing black bear before the hunter. Our experience coupled with this areas extremely high bear density (one of North Americas highest), offers the best bow/firearm hunting for black bear available.
You will be hunting over baited sites on safe comfortable stands approximately 12 - 20 yards from the bait for bow hunters and 12-75 yards for firearms. We use quality commercially manufactured, metal lock on stands with climbing sticks and also metal ladder stands. Absolutely no home made monstrosities. Lock-on stands are more practical then climbers for bear hunting. If you would like a dual person or multiple stands at a site please inform us as early as possible. Please feel free to bring your own tree stand that you feel comfortable with. Comfort is one of the main secrets to success.
The black bear can be a cagey critter, particularly if wounded. It is my opinion that this game animal by virtue of it’s size and inherent ability to inflict injury must be taken seriously and treated with a great deal of respect. For this reason, it is my policy that no hunter shall track a wounded bear without my assistance.The fall bear hunting season is an excellent time to hunt as the bears are actively preparing for winter, and looking for any easy meal such as baits. These animals have been packing on the pounds all summer and are at their heaviest of weights. The northern woods are beautiful at this time of year and it is an excellent time to try for that monster bear we all hope for.