CANADA: ALBERTA - BLACK BEAR

These Alberta Black Bear Hunts occur during the prime spring season window, spanning May 1- June 1. Rutting activity typically begins around May 20. The weeks prior to the rut offer excellent hunting, as bears are very hungry upon emerging from hibernation.

-Second Black Bear: Supplemental Black Bear tags come with every Alberta Black Bear hunt, allowing clients to harvest 2 Black Bears if desired. The second bear being on a trophy fee basis upon successful harvest or mortal wounding/loss. 
-Wolves: Bonus targets of opportunity on all hunts, with no additional costs.   
-Fishing: Pike fishing is available on location, either in the mornings or if tagged out early, as desired.

These Alberta Black Bear hunts come standard at 6 full days. Hunting commences in the early afternoon as late spring daylight hours are extremely long this far in Northern Canada. But also, Black Bear hunting is most active in the evening. Enjoy a hearty lunch at basecamp then gear up and travel by ATV to the selected pre-scouted stands overlooking strategically placed and maintained bait sites for the long evening hunt. Experienced local guides use their knowledge and trail camera intel to position hunters on a known target bear, recently frequenting the area. 

Alberta Black Bear hunts often provide bonus fishing opportunities, and this hunt is no different. For those interested, trophy Northern Pike fishing is available within walking distance of camp, and is a popular option in the mornings, before the evening Black Bear hunt commences. 

Stands typically consist of large, sturdy, hang-on tree stands with wooden ladders, allowing for easy and safe access. While Black Bear hunting in Alberta, Canada, rifle or archery equipment are both allowed, and each stand accommodates this, as typically shots only range from 20–30 yards. Clients will sit alone and judge bears themselves on this 2x1 guided hunt, or upon request, a non-hunter can accompany a hunter. The guide’s time is best spent checking cameras and topping up other bait piles, should a plan B location be needed, or of course, working on clients' Black Bear trophies.

Most clients bring their own firearms from home. However, rifles are also available to borrow at no cost if needed. Shots are very close range. Usually under the 30 yards, but in low light scenarios, a lower powered scope with illuminated reticles is certainly beneficial versus iron sights. Cartridges ranging from 7mm-08 to .30 caliber and up are all great options. Lever action guns are quite popular on these Alberta Black Bear hunts, as shot opportunities are at such close ranges. 

Archery gear is welcomed by anyone wishing to bring it. Compounds, crossbows, and traditional bows are all acceptable. No archery equipment is available from the outfitter other than archery targets for practicing at camp.

Black Bear hunting in Alberta, Canada’s northern Boreal Forest is a vibrant ecosystem of jack pine-dominated stands, covering endless sandy hills, muskegs, and mosaics of wetland habitat. Scenic waterways intertwine throughout this immense remote landscape. The region is home to more than just Black Bears. Hunters may also see Woodland Caribou, Western Canada Moose, Wolves, Lynx, Foxes, Pine Martens, Whitetail Deer, occasional Wolverines, Great Grey Owls, Bald Eagles, and migrating Waterfowl. Overall, these hunts are not physically demanding, comfortably accommodating hunters of nearly every physical fitness and experience level.

During the spring Black Bear hunting season, the days are very long. Trees are only beginning to green up around the second week of May. Insects typically only hatch in the second or third weeks of May. The first half of the season can see mild temps throughout the day, but may hover around the freezing mark overnight. The last half of the season begins to warm up, with nighttime temperatures consistently staying above freezing, as spring transitions into summer. An equipment list can be provided upon request.

These Alberta Black Bear hunts are based from semi-permanent camp locations. Hunters stay in comfortable outfitter-style tents, complete with a wood stove, lanterns, and cots for sleeping. The main cook tent is large with many of the amenities of cabin lodgings, even equipped with a hot shower! A common area allows hunters to gather for meals or provide a social place to relax and commute. For those that need it, full cellular coverage is present anytime while in basecamp, as well as in most of the stand sites. Clients will be able to check rifles at a nearby shooting area, and archery hunters can practice on 3D targets at any time in camp.

These Alberta Black Bear hunts offer x3 full meals daily. Start the morning with a hearty home cooked breakfast, featuring favorites such as bacon and eggs, homemade bread, pancakes, French toast, quiche, omelets, or breakfast wraps. Lunches are brown-bagged for the field, and typically consist of a roving variety of sandwiches, fruit, granola bars, baked goods, candy, and bottled water. For dinner, enjoy home-cooked meals made from scratch, such as fried chicken, ham, pork chops, and steaks, with sides like scalloped potatoes, rice, noodles, and salad, followed by tarts or pies for dessert!

Destination City: Fort McMurray, Alberta has a full-service airport that receives daily flights from both Edmonton and Calgary. Basecamp is located approximately 2 hours’ drive roughly northeast.  Round-trip airport pick-up and drop-off shuttles are provided and already included in every Black Bear hunt package. 

Travel Suggestions: Calgary or Edmonton would be the best options for connecting flights to Fort McMurray. Driving directly to our camp is also an option if preferred, but requires a capable SUV or 4x4 truck for the final legs of the trip.

Upon successfully concluding this northern Alberta Black Bear hunting adventure, hides and skulls are carefully skinned, labeled, and salted by the outfitter, and skulls are frozen. Great care is taken when skinning hides for the hunters' desired final products, which are then turned and salted, providing the safest option while traveling home. Hides and skulls can also be left with the outfitter, and then taken to a capable local taxidermist in Alberta, Canada as desired. At this point, the taxidermist can either do the final work or simply prep the trophies for shipping as per each client’s specific requests.

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