BEAR HUNTING IN NEW BRUNSWICK

   

New Brunswick. Canada has a very high density of trophy black bears, and offers a very generous seventeen weeks of bear hunting in three different seasons: spring, fall, and a special September bow season.

While New Brunswick bear hunting season runs for seventeen weeks, Northway Outfitters, only books hunters for those weeks that normally offer our clients the best chance at success. This varies depending on whether we have an early or late spring.

The weeks we normally hunt are:

  • Spring Season: The first full week of May through the last Saturday of June
      

  • Special Bow: The second Monday of September for two weeks
      

  • Fall Season: The first Monday of October for two weeks

Our guided black bear hunts all are five days, beginning on a Monday and ending the following Friday. Hunters are to arrive Sunday afternoon and leave on the following Saturday by 9:00 AM. 

Most bear hunting takes place from mid-afternoon until dark from baited tree stands or comfortable ground blinds. Stands and blinds all are positioned to take advantage of the prevailing winds, and set at 15 to 20 yards for bow hunters and 20 to 60 yards for gun.

We maintain a maximum of 40 to 50 baits at one time, and hunters are guarantee two active baits each. Bait stations are placed from 1 to 45 miles from our lodge.

The bait stations all are baited regularly with fresh meat scraps, pastries and other sweets for two to three weeks and every day for five days prior to being hunted, to be sure the bears are visiting regularly. 

Our success ratio has been averaging around 65 percent over the past few years with better than 90 percent of hunters having shots and sightings. The average adult bear taken in New Brunswick is 150-175 pounds. Our clients also have taken many bears in the 300-550 pound range in the many years that we have been in business..

Most bear hunters spend their free time in the mornings by enjoying the fantastic fishing the area has to offer for smallmouth bass, brook trout and perch, while some choose to accompany the guides on their morning runs to check their baits (those wishing to help do bait runs should bring ATV's). Others take a shopping trip to either our capital city of Fredericton (35 miles) or Woodstock (20 miles).

For our clients' convenience, we have all the required fishing and hunting licenses for sale at the lodge and we look after all the registration and skinning. If you choose to have your bear professionally cut and wrapped, we will deliver it to the meat processing shop.

NEW BRUNSWICK BEAR HUNTING RATES:

American Plan Black Bear Hunt: $1,500.00 US per person ( includes: accommodation, guides, bear bait, return transportation to hunt areas, 2 meals per day in lodge (breakfast & dinner), and 1 bagged lunch to take out.) 

Housekeeping Plan Black Bear Hunt: $1300.00 US per person includes everything that the American Plan (full service) does except the guest is responsible for purchasing food and preparing their own meals! 

Prices do not include bear license $148.35 or 6 1/2% HST (taxes)

NON HUNTERS WELCOME: Our rates for non hunters during the hunting seasons are $100.00 per day for meals and lodging and $60.00 per day without meals. 

CABIN RATES: Our off season rates for cabin rentals are $90.00 per day for small cabin that holds up to 3 persons.
$120.00 for 2 bedroom cabin for 4 or 6 persons.

Sorry! due to health problems, the Benoit Brothers whitetail hunting school will not be held this year. We may be holding this event next year so keep checking back for news.

RESERVATIONS: To book, we require a $400.00 US non-refundable deposit for each person 16 years of age or older. The balance is due upon arrival and may be paid in cash, certified or travelers checks. Personal checks are accepted as deposits only and should be made payable to "Northway Outfitters."

Please Note: While deposits are non-refundable, they can be used as a credit on a future hunt within 12 months of the cancellation date. To book, call, write or e-mail stating number in your party and requested dates.