Black Bear Hunting

Spring Season Opens May 1st – June 15th
Fall Season Opens August 15th – October 31st

Ontario has been overrun by Black Bears. In the last ten years, Black Bear numbers have doubled or even tripled in some areas. Some say it's from a combination of milder winters, absence of spring hunting and better-managed forestry. To bear hunters, all that matters is there are more bears and a greater availability of really big Trophy Black Bears, which is the main factor in the success of your hunt. Our town "Dryden" was named after all the bear dens in the area. Traveling to the Dryden area in the fall to prepare for hibernation is an ancient migration, which the bears cannot resist.

Here at Wabigoon Lake Outfitters, we are responsible for managing a bear management area (BMA) of 250 square miles. That's a big BMA and baiting bears from such vast surroundings lures great numbers of bears to our stands and gives our hunting guests an unusually high success rate. We limit the number of hunters per season. This enables us to give your hunt a more personal touch and maximize your success. All baits are active weeks prior to our hunter's arrival and we discuss in detail with each hunter the patterns and habits of each bait site.

Black Bears in our BMA are usually between 150 and 350 pounds. Sighting rates are usually 100% but most of our bear hunting guests pass on smaller bears and wait for a big old male. On occasion Black Bears over 400 pounds are harvested.

Bear Hunting Details

Bear Hunting Dates

  • Our non-resident bear season open May 1st for the spring hunt and August 15th for the fall hunt (archery, rifle or muzzleloader)
  • We run our hunts from Saturday to Saturday
  • Check in is 1 pm, check out is 8 am.

Hunting will be performed on our exclusive 250 square mile Bear Management Area (BMA) (WMU 9A)

Includes:

  • Lakeside cabin for the week, fully equipped for housekeeping
  • Pre-baited stands
  • Orientation on hunting area
  • Freezer service

Not Included:

  • Export Fee-$35
  • Firearms Declaration Form - $25 CAN

    Do not sign the forms until the customs agent asks you to.

  • Non-residence hunting license $250
  • Bear Skinning - $80.00
  • Taxes
  • Ground Transportation
  • Food & Drink (Housekeeping Accommodations)
  • Boat & motor

What To Bring:

  • Tree stand (Steps/Rope + Safety belt)
  • Ontario Outdoors Card
  • Warm Clothes (Never know what the temperature will be)
  • Hunter Orange hat and vest (camo orange is not acceptable in Ontario)
  • Previous hunting license CN or US
  • Weapon of choice, gun, bow or crossbow
  • Soft guncase or bowcase (legal requirement)
  • Scentlock suit/Scent Killer
  • Bug jacket and repellent
  • Rain Gear
  • Extra Footware/Gloves
  • Flash lights (Batteries)
  • Binoculars
  • Coolers & Freezer Bags for meat
  • Hunting knife/sharpener
  • Scentlock suit/Scent Killer
  • Fishing rod and tackle
  • Food & Drink

Canadian Firearms Declaration Form:

You will be required to fill out a temporary gun permit to bring firearms into Canada (Firearm Declaration Form). The fee is $25 payable at the border crossing.