Dad's turning 60, let's get him a hunt!

[NBK]

My Dad is turning 60 this month and for a gift we're looking to give him a hunt. We live in northern Wisconsin and I was thinking about a guided bear hunt in the UP of michigan.  Any recommendations on outfitters? Units? etc.  Any and all advice is welcome and thank you in advance.   NBK

[Jack Shanks]

Your dad would first need to draw a permit for that hunt in Michigan's UP. Then depending on which unit and hunt period you choose it could be a 62-65 birthday present hunt.

 The last time I hunted bears in the UP in 04 there were so many other hunters in the Bergland unit where we hunted we had a hard time competing with them. I swore I would never go back.

 Northern Wisconsin isn't far from Ontario. I would suggest finding an outfitter there for a quality hunt for your dad. Lots of bears and a whole lot less people.

[Tim Fishell]

Like Jack said drawing a tag in Michigan and having a quility hunt can be difficult.  I have a buddy that has applied for 5 years now for the Gwinn area and still probably has another year or two before he will draw a tag.  

Again like Jack suggested I would look into some Ontario camps.  I know people that have been to some great ones that are very reasonably priced.

[mike g]

Send your Dad to CK's in Texas....for pigs.
Probaly cheaper and a better chance to score.....

[frassettor]

NBK,

Where are you in WI?

[pronghorn23]

Don't know if Minnesota would be easier to draw? May be just as close. Or Canada just over the border.

[NBK]

I'm from Tomahawk.  It's about 3hrs. straight north of Madison, and about 1hr. south of the UP.  I'd also be interested in hearing about other hunting opportunities.  Problem is that my dad has been from saskatchewan to alaska to you name it and I'm trying to find a solid, fair-chase, archery hunt that I can afford to pay for two.  He's not fussy and we can wait a year or two in the planning phase just as long as something is there to plan!  Thanks for the replies and keep 'em coming.

[Ian johnson]

for our father\\son trip next year my dad and I are gonna try and go to CK's for hogs

[BillW]

If you want to hunt bears and try something different for us Midwestern hunters you can hunt Maine. I hunted 2 years in a row up there (got one the first year nothing the next). Long drive but I had a great time. The bears are very bait wise and no push over’s. They also have some BIG bears. On my first trip I shot a 250# bear (not huge but OK). When I checked it in, the lady told me the day before she checked in a 490# and a 494# bear… WOW. I have also found Maine to be a bargain in comparison to Canada. You would not believe the dense woods up there. Just beautiful. My guide baited in a natural looking setting like a dead stump so more aesthetically appealing than a steel drum as well.

I have hunted both US and Canada for bears. I will compare both experiences for you so you have my honest evaluation of my hunts. I would say I saw much fewer bears in Maine and you had to work hard being still to get a shot. They have great size potential and this is much more of a hunting experience (harder). For a midwestern guy who has never been to Maine I was amazed at the wilderness and beauty of the area (Ashland). I also made a life long friend in my (“Maniac” what folks in Maine are called… LOL) guide (Jim Brown). He worked hard for me, making me feel welcome and like one of his family. On the Canadian hunt I saw a lot of bears that were less savvy and that was neat due to the numbers of bears I was near. Not as challenging a hunt and it was pretty much just wait till the small bears got run off by a big bear and decide if you want him or not. The biggest negative and again maybe just my experience, was that it was obvious to me that the Canadian guide only cared about my money. He did not have an interest in what kind of experience or hunt I had….. Maybe we just did not gel. He did his job but if we passed on the street today, I doubt he would even say hello.

I doubt anyone will see as many bears in Maine as Canada (depends on guides area) but you get a more challenging hunt and if it is important to you, keep your money in the US. You just might find a friend for life as I did. I will go back to Maine and hunt with Jim just for the beautiful woods, comradery and a chance at one of those 500# bears.

Nice idea and a great gesture from your family. I am sure whatever you do your Dad will appreciate it.

Bill

[Slickheadhunter]

If its bears you want then go to Maine! Tons of great places for bears and tags are over the counter.Oxbow would be my recomendation,they have an excellent record for bear hunting and they kill some huge bears between 400 and 550lbs.