Black Bear in Minnesota

[northland archer]

Does anyone know a good bear outfit that has some knowledge of traditional equipment.  I should draw this year, for black bear here in Minnesota and need to make a few contacts early.  Thanks for any help you can give me.

Thanks Much

[pete p]

PM sent.  i guide stickbow only on 2000 acres 25 mi north of duluth.

[Schultzy]

Most of the guides that I know have there stand's with In 15 yards of the baits. I don't use a guide but I know a good amount of them In the area that I hunt In. I think you'll be alright pretty much anywhere you go as long as you talk with the guide first and tell him/her that your an up and close hunter.

[nockinaround]

Frank House from Ray Mn has a baiting operation. I think he still has a resort on Kabetogama. He baits around the ash river and rat root river.

[Gordy]

All I can say is do your homework......and wish you the best of luck.
Since you're in the state, I wouldn't rely on published and internet info and such. Go take a look for yourself. Anyone in the state can become a bear "guide" so tread carefully.

Last time I steered a trad party to an area "guide", it didn't turn out so good.  I've always done it myself on private land and used to be 50% (hoping to draw next year   :D  )

Pick your area and talk to the locals. Find out who can help and who is the real deal....and 20....30? .....( a hundred I once read) bait sites they start off with. I always wondered what that meant about how much homework they do before the season....if any. But it doesn't matter.....ANYONE can buy a guide license...even yourself or anyone who has never prepped a bear site in their life.

Hate to be the bearer of truth here, but some of the bear hunting rules here in MN simply stink and I hate to see people get screwed.

On a positive note, there are some really nice areas and bears to harvest in MN and bear hunting is a heck of a lot of fun ! From McGregor, up northwest to Northome....and all across to the north shore is great habitat.

Here's the last one I teamed up on for my buddy Ken. His first bear... not a bruiser by any means but the pay-off of a lot of sweat equity and he couldn't have been happier.  We had an absolute blast that season !

[oneeye]

Take Gordy's advice - be carefull with the outfitters.  If it is at all possible for you to do the baiting yourself I highly recommend it. To me, it is as much or more fun then the actual killing of the bear.  I ended the '08 season for the second year in a row with an empty tag.

The number of hunters in my area (51) was way down last year.  But, it was also a tough year for baiting due to the amount of natural foods in the woods.  Late season was productive for many people after the food sources dried up.

[Fallguy]

I do not have a phone number but Chris Ford out of Williams Mn. He is a big time bow hunter himself. He like getting close. He sets all his baits for bowhunters. The gun guys only need a shotgun and slugs.