Black Bear Hunting
Ontario has the highest population of Black Bears in the world. The greatest concentration of Black Bears in Ontario is in the Chapleau region. Chapleau has been called the Black Bear Capital of Canada for many years and the reputation is justified. There are four main reasons why we have so many Black Bears.
First, the Chapleau area has a diverse landscape with many streams, rivers and lakes all located on typical Canadian Shield landscape. The rocky landscape produces the perfect environment for wild Blueberries, Strawberries and Raspberries to grow in great quantities. Berries are a staple diet of the bears. There is also selective logging. The logged areas open up new growth that produce grasses that the bears need to eat in order to keep digestive enzymes in balance and aid digestion. This is crucial to their overall health and longevity. Second, since the fall of the fur trade we have seen an amazing rebound in the populations of critters that the Black Bears like to eat. At the top of the list is Beavers, which is a bear's top source of meat. Third, the area has thousands of naturally occurring den sites. A good area to den in the winter reduces the mortality rate for both adult bears and cubs. Finally and most of all, we are next to the Chapleau Crown Game Preserve.
The Chapleau Crown Game Preserve is the largest game preserve in the world with over 2,000,000 acres of protected land where no hunting is allowed. The preserve is a Black Bear manufacturing machine. The amount of hunting that takes place at our lodge and other lodges in the area does not even put a dent in the bear population. As soon as guests harvest a Black Bear another takes its place within hours. This is why the sighting rate of our hunting guests is well over 100%. Most hunters will see multiple bears. Guests who have hunted with us for a long time generally pass on smaller Black Bears and wait for the big males to come into the target zone. Because of this we do not achieve a 100% harvest rate every year. It's usually between 85% and 100%.
With such a high population of Black Bears just about every possible size can be seen. Most Black Bears range from 150 to 300 pounds. On occasion bears in the 400 pound range are harvested. There is always the chance for a super bear. Chapleau is home to the largest Black Bear ever recorded in Ontario. In 2010 a 1000 pound Black Bear was hit and killed by a logging truck on highway 101 about 20 miles west of our lodge. We don't want you to think you will ever see a bear that big but it sure is fun to dream.
In Ontario you can hunt with a bow, crossbow, rifle, muzzleloader or shotgun. You cannot hunt with a hand gun. By law in Ontario bows have to be a minimum 50lbs. Shotguns need a 50 caliber pellet. A rifle should be a 207 or bigger. Muzzleloaders should use a minimum of 100 grains within 25 yards of a bear.
Black Bear hunting is an exercise in stealth and patience. You are hunting an animal that can smell 700 times better than a Bloodhound. The more invisible you become the greater chance you have at a big trophy bear. The big older bears are smart and have a much better sense of smell than younger bears. Seasoned bear hunters that are fanatical about stealth find more success. Black Bear hunting is a lot of fun, especially for first timers.
Bear Hunt Includes:
- Fully equipped housekeeping cottage with all bed linens
- Baited target zone before and during your hunt
- Orientation on hunting area
- Boat
- Walk-in freezer for meat & hide
Not Included in Bear Hunt:
- Must bring own food, towels, dish towels, toiletries & soap
- Tree Stands
- Ground Transportation