Quebec Black Bear Hunt Gear Lists, Tips, Advice, Sugguestions.

[Jon Stewart]

I have hunted Quebec twice. Black flies and duct tape is what I remember best. They were so thick that we used duct tape around our pant legs, wrists and head nets to keep them out..

[bucknut]

Thermocell for sure.  Lots of good advice so far.  I wear a 3/4 face mask over the back of my hat and tight under my eyes. Spray the bill of my hat and the mask with spray while running a Thermocell and had good results. This keeps you from having to shoot thru a mask. I have seen it go from 80 degrees and sunny to 30 and snow in one day so prepare for everything. Always wear a jacket. Another thing to think of is a rod and reel.  Canada has some amazing fishing and if you kill one the first day you may find a lot of idle time on your hands.  You may ask the guide what type of bug spray he uses.  The bear get used to smelling him at the bait sights and will have less of a spooking effect. Ask the outfitter the average shot distance to the bait and stand height and get good at that range. Usually 10 yards or less and they can ruffle your feathers at single digit yardage so make it automatic!!  Hope this helps.   

John

[dresnor]

Thanks for all the help guys. Still a long ways to go but I want to be as prepared as possible.

Does anyone have any advice for raingear? Looking at the Frogg Toggs rain gear. Looking to keep the price low. Chances are if I buy expensive rain gear it will be sunny any warm the entire trip.

Any other advice it welcome.

Jeremy

[Bowguy67]

Frogg Toggs, at least all I’ve seen are way too noisy. Don’t think of the rain gear as a one week investment. Think of it as an investment period. Get good, quiet gear. It’s gonna matter of you need it. You’ll use it here as well I’m sure

[Jason W]

Lots of great advise posted. One thing I would try on my next trip(hopefully soon) is to have my clothes treated in Permethrin. It works on ticks and they claim it works on black flys too. Defiantly take “2” thermo cells. I like the idea about the tree stand umbrella. It would hold the thermo cell around you better!
You will have a blast, and it is not like deer hunting, most of these bears know your there. They don’t really care. They are just hungry

[Bowguy67]

Lots of great advise posted. One thing I would try on my next trip(hopefully soon) is to have my clothes treated in Permethrin. It works on ticks and they claim it works on black flys too. Defiantly take “2” thermo cells. I like the idea about the tree stand umbrella. It would hold the thermo cell around you better!
You will have a blast, and it is not like deer hunting, most of these bears know your there. They don’t really care. They are just hungry

Just a FYI on permethrin. I’ve used the can stuff and it pretty much worked but not 100%. Tractor supply sells a concentrate in their horse section for livestock. It’s a concentrate and you dilute it.
I run my dogs all year long through thick brush with lots of wet spots and standing water. Since I’ve done so not one tick has made it on me or dogs. I spray my chaps, the dogs, my buddy sprays beehives, etc. The bottle comes w directions for dilution and an ounce measuring device. This aids in mixing. For 10-20 bucks depending on size it’s great stuff. I can’t say I’ve tried it on blackflies but if you were gonna try it this is great stuff

[dresnor]

I was wondering about permethrin. Thanks for the tip about the Tractor Supply permethrin.

To the Thermacell users. Does anyone use/recommend the earth scent pads? Are they needed?

Jeremy

[Bowguy67]

I used the earth scented stuff. I’ll be honest I saw no difference. Maybe other guys had dif experiences though.

[Jason W]

If you are asking about the earth scented pads for cover up scent, then no, not needed. Scent control is not really an issue hunting black bears out of stands with bait.
Fall, spot and stock...yes, play the wind!
However, I don’t use cover scents...

[STICKBENDER98]

Be sure to take something with you to help occupy yourself in the stand, a couple books to read, or a electronic game of sorts.  I borrowed a battery charger from my daughters for my cell phone, it's basically a battery you charge then you can use it to charge your phone.  We didn't have service in the stands, but was able to play solitare to help pass the time.  We were usually in the stands by 1-1:30 so we had plenty of time to kill.  Also be sure to tell the guides, outfitter if you're not comfortable waiting in the dark to be picked up.  The outfitter I went with put 3 hunters per guide, so first one dropped off was last one picked up.  I was with a father and son both older, but the Dad was deathly afraid of the dark, said he has been like that since he was a kid.  They made sure he was last one out, and first one picked up, which made my wait close to 45 minutes in the dark.  It was no problem for me, but a bit unnerving also.


Jason

[Jason W]

Outfitter I used let us on our own. We got to get to and from the stand sites and bait on our own. I kind of liked that. I like “semi” guided hunts in Canada. I like to be in control.
However, I agree with Jason above. I have heard of a lot of outfitters taking forever to pick you up.

[Bowguy67]

Last post was funny. Least it brought back funny memories., I’ve been in many bear camps for the season or most very often. Each time no matter when you go guys are afraid of the dark, the bears or climbing trees. Seems they picked the wrong game.
One fellow taped a big mag light to his rifle barrel and said he was so scared he was seeing the flying monkeys from the wizard of Oz. Think about this now. Point every gun in a safe direction. What would he do if you crunched leaves approaching him? He’d swing that gun w light attached at you. Another fellow was so scared he’d get into the truck w a barrel tip outside, the door mostly shut and unload. Two pretty unsafe and one illegal maneuver.
Tracking a badly hit bear one night some afraid of the dark guy came w us. He had the lantern. He was 6’5” mind you. He saw blood and freaked. Thinking the site would attract bloodthirsty bears and coyotes. He just up n ran out w the light. Looked like a comet going through the woods. Now someone had to walk out w a tiny light and meet him to get lantern.
Another guy in Alberta where the bears are truly aggressive at times shot one climbing his tree w the bow in the arm. A few days later he got enough nerve to re-enter the woods w a rifle. He saw a black blob approaching and defended himself. He wound up killing the biggest bear that week.
My cousin shot a bear he said was huge. I helped him go get it. He had a rifle he wanted me to take it for our protection. I informed him I only had a bow tag. He had rifle when the leaves shook in the breeze. He hipped the gun wildly. I told him I’d carry it. Better than someone carrying me to hospital.  The bear wasn’t huge. Maybe 150. There were holes everywhere and not just in the bear.  Man imo don’t bear hunt if all these type fears go through your head!! It’s dangerous for others.
Pic is the bear the guy shot cause he wanted nothing black near him

[dresnor]

Too funny. I am not afraid of the dark, but have a healthy respect for bears. I don't plan on putting myself in a position that could be dangerous. Things do happen though.

I have no idea how the drop off/pick up thing will go. I just want to be on stand for as long as needed to get a bear.

Thanks again for the tips and stories. More is always welcome.

Jeremy

[Jason W]

Funny.
Well, I love spring black bear hunting. I can not wait to go again!