BLACK BEARS IN B.C. CANADA

[daveycrockett]

MAY BE GETTING TO GO ON A SPRING HUNT. WONDERING FROM ANYONE WHO HAS BEEN BEFORE WHAT I CAN EXPECT TO ENCOUNTER. WEATHER, BUGS, WHAT KINDA GEAR IS NEEDED ETC. IF I GO THIS WILL BE A SPOT AND STALK AFFAIR. A HUNT LIKE THIS WILL BE A FIRST FOR ME, ANY INFO WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANKS DAVID

[AnointedArcher]

Well you can exspect lots and lots of black flies, did I mention a lot of black flies.  Make sure you have a good bug tamer suit.  Also if your camping and using a tent or screened in pourch make sure the netting is black fly proff, trust me there is a big difference.

Bring lots of duck tape as you will find plenty of uses for it, especialy for taping your sleeves to your gloves and you pants to your boots.

Bring both warm and cold gear and make sure you dress in layers.  The mornings and nights can be freezing cold and you can roast during the middle of the day.

Bring plenty of small game arrows as there are plenty of small game critters you can tag. A fishing pole and some tackle is another must, nothing like a nice mess of walleye or white fish for dinner.

Have fun and shoot straight!

[Jack Shanks]

davey,

What area will you be hunting and what outfitter?

 Haven't done a spring hunt but I would guess it would depend on the time and location in BC of your hunt as far as the bugs go.

 AnointedArcher, I may be mistaken but I don't think small game season is open in the spring.

[daveycrockett]

JACK, I'LL BE HUNTING WITH UNITED GUIDE AND OUTFITTERS, OWNED BY MICHAEL SCHNIEDER A TRADITONAL BOWHUNTER HIMSELF. Trembleur Lake Area near Prince George in Central British Columbia, Canada . HUNT IS SCHEDULED FOR MAY 10TH THRU 18TH. HE HAS HUNTING RIGHTS TO 375,000 ACRES. HAVE NEVER GOT TO DO ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE AND LOOKING FOR ANY INFO. I CAN GET. THANKS DAVID

[dogchaser]

You won't be disappointed I can assure you that. Good luck!

[bowzone]

Davey...
  Black flies wont be an issue where you will be hunting.  Mosquitos are a different story. They are brutal, so prepare accordingly.  I suggest buying 4 cans of Deep Woods Off to bring with you. You will be walking alot, and will sweat some of it off.  So have a can in your pack because when it comes time for a stalk, you do not want to be slapping your face killing mosquitos.  Its suppose to be scent free, but it still stinks.  But if they can smell your spray, they can smell you, which will send them flying.  The only fishing you can do at that time is rainbows/bull trout in lakes, and small game you cannot shoot.  Wolves you can (extra $50 for tag), and please kill as many of those as you can.  Have a good hunt, BC is an awesome place for spot and stalk black bear.  Good luck.

[AnointedArcher]

Whoops I guess I should of read the post better, we hunted in Ontario, black fly capital of the world in my opinion.  

Jack we did not actually hunt small game (like rabbits and stuff) it was small critters, I believe they where chipmunks and red squirels. However good point because we never verified if it was legal or not to shoot them in Canada.

[hunt it]

Forget the bug spray and get yourself a thermacell and a belt pouch for it. This will help reduce bug spray smell. Make sure you have some quiet form of footwear for stalking. If it's dry you could get away with lightweight mid type hiking boots. Camo paint or face mask should be on your list. I would carry a big can of bear spray in a belt holster, $40.00 worth of insurance is cheap! Carry windpowder or something for constantly checking wind during stalks. Hills and mountains play havoc with the wind. Have fun!!!

[Jack Shanks]

Bowzone should know his guiding area in BC is close to Michael Schneider's area I beleive. I would ask Michael what to expect and what he recommends that you bring though. I have hunted with both Michael and bowzone before but not for black bears.

[daveycrockett]

I'm officialy going!!! Any more helpful info will be greatly appreciated. thanks everyone so far, anymore? Thanks David

[LUCKY MAN]

Have fun my friend and take lots and lots of pictures, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

If I have anything you need to borrow to cut cost just let me know.

Good things happen to good people !

[daveycrockett]

Thanks John,(luckey man) you are right . For working stiffs like me it is a once in a lifetime trip. Just wish i could take some of ya'll with me, it would be a sho'nuff good time then!!!

[LUCKY MAN]

We'll be with you, you just won't see us !

You know Canada is a NON-SMOKING Country and they have never heard of Mountain Dew, may want to mail 3 or 4 cases ahead of time.

Hope you're putting back for the taxidermy bill ?

You know the real DAVEY CROCKETT just grinned at the bears until they fell out of the tree.

[rawshaft]

No smokes or dews for a week....

We'll be having to pick him up at the airport before he leaves.....

[LUCKY MAN]

Did I mention you have to QUALIFY with your bow also ?

Not a big deal, you've done it before.

[tippit]

Since using Theramacells in Quebec spring bear hunting, I don't even use repellents or a head net...even when walking they are great.  Be sure you have 2 pads a day and enough cartridges.

[Mooseman]

Bugs will not be a big issue at this early hunt. The later hunts at the end of May beg. of June are more effected by bugs.
Usually they are not that big of a bother but when stalking a bear I think they know that you can't move..........
I like a face net and gloves for the stalks. A pair of pull over fleece booties are a very wise investment. Day One Camouflage calls them "Creepers".

Short of your personal gear we will have everything else out there.

[rawshaft]

Go get em' DUDE...

[daveycrockett]

Gonna try...

[rawshaft]

Gettin close....

5 days and counting...