Dan Moultrie Offers Canada Bruin Tips
Bob McNally 05.17.16
“Without an outfitter, a hunter is wasting his time trying to take a bear over bait in Canada,” says Dan Moultrie, famed hunter and the man behind Moultrie game feeders, cameras, and other hunting gear. “Too much time must be spent setting up stands and establishing bait stations, and that’s time very few hunters have. A good outfitter, however, has the time to set-up bait sites and stands correctly. It can take weeks to get stands and baits ‘hot’ for hunting. Also, once a good bait station has been established, it continues to draw bears to it year after year. A lot of outfitters who have been in business for a long time have traditionally good stands and baits that a hunter trying to do it on his own could never hope to equal.”
Choosing a bear outfitter can be a little perplexing these days because there are so many people in the business. The smart way of choosing an outfitter is to hire one that’s been in operation for a number of years and who specializes in bears.
Don’t be shy asking a potential bear outfitter for references, and make sure you understand everything about the operation before making the trip including costs, shipping trophies home, accommodations, food, transportation, etc. Be sure to follow up on references, too. And don’t skimp on expense. Trying to save a few hundred dollars by booking a “bargain” bear hunt likely will be false economy, turning what should be a wonderful trip into something less.
“Black bears are smarter than many hunters believe,” Moultrie states. “They are much more sensitive to changes in smell than a deer. That’s why a hunter never should go near a bait. Go directly to the stand and stay away from the spot where a bait is located. Stay as clean and odor free as possible with your clothing. I change clothes regularly during a hunt, and I wear only clothes that have been washed in no-scent soap. I wear no deodorant or after shave and don’t use fragrant shave creams on a hunt.
“Most bears that have been coming to a bait for a few weeks are very familiar with the stand site so I never cut branches or limbs around a stand that an outfitter has established.
“Another thing beginning bear hunters should do is listen carefully after they’ve made a shot. Every bear I’ve taken has made a clearly audible ‘death grown’ soon after the shot. Hearing that low, gurgling call helps locate the animal and makes you confident the shot was a good one. A properly hit bear usually falls very quickly, but a bruin normally runs until it drops. So listening for the ‘death grown’ is very helpful.”
