The Hunting Beast

Just curious as to what are the top 10 things a good bear camp should have and/or provide. What would you expect from a fall bear camp to make it a successful and fulfilling experience - especially if you didn't kill a bear? What would you be willing to pay for such a hunt in Northern Minnesota or Wisconsin? Lets say it's a five day hunt.

NOT a Bear...

Good food and comfortable accommodations. If hunters go to the stand with a good meal in their bellies, they are happy hunters.

One thing I have found that can be a negative, and I have been in a lot of bear camps across North America, is when there's a guy or two who get drunk and obnoxious, especially when others are trying to sleep or have a peaceful evening around the campfire. It can really ruin a hunt. One person in camp (owner, outfitter, guide) should be in charge of removing them. This is rare but it needs to be dealt with immediately.

I could talk about toxic attitudes in camp as well. Mostly I have met and become good friends with a lot of great people who share my same passions in bear camps. It's the little things done by the leaders that mean a lot and really add up to a great experience. Did I mention good food? Yeah, pretty important.

Freelance Bowhunter wrote:Good food and comfortable accommodations. If hunters go to the stand with a good meal in their bellies, they are happy hunters.

One thing I have found that can be a negative, and I have been in a lot of bear camps across North America, is when there's a guy or two who get drunk and obnoxious, especially when others are trying to sleep or have a peaceful evening around the campfire. It can really ruin a hunt. One person in camp (owner, outfitter, guide) should be in charge of removing them. This is rare but it needs to be dealt with immediately.

I could talk about toxic attitudes in camp as well. Mostly I have met and become good friends with a lot of great people who share my same passions in bear camps. It's the little things done by the leaders that mean a lot and really add up to a great experience. Did I mention good food? Yeah, pretty important.

Agree. The excessive alcohol use and negative attitudes are the worst in any hunting camp not just bear hunting. The experience is always so much better with upbeat clear minded individuals who are only focussed on joys of the hunt. Nothing wrong with a few beers to unwind after a hard day but unfortunately some have no limits.

I run a camp.

The main thing is excellent equipment, and good attitudes in camp. No drinking allowed here. One person can drag down an entire camp. Especially if the hunting is tough.

We don’t offer food and lodging here. We do have a few camping spots and a fire pit and grill for hunters use. We are more catered to hunting only.

You can usually tell a good camp by the number or repeat clients.

thehay95 wrote:Just curious as to what are the top 10 things a good bear camp should have and/or provide. What would you expect from a fall bear camp to make it a successful and fulfilling experience - especially if you didn't kill a bear? What would you be willing to pay for such a hunt in Northern Minnesota or Wisconsin? Lets say it's a five day hunt.

1) Skinning and Quartering services (extra fee). 2) A cooler or freezers to put bear meat in. 3) Food would be nice but not necessary (from past experience it gets very expensive and only feasible if you would charge $2500 or higher, you might have to get a catering license to serve food). 4) Good safe equipment. 5) Only the best bear bait (fresh). 6) Knowledgeable Guides and helpers. 7) A Base Camp...whether its camping or lodging (as a past guide its nice to have all hunters in one spot and not scattered all over the place). 8) Pre-hunt baiting e-mail or text updates, along with some pictures etc. 9) Should have a place to shoot or sight in weapons. 10) Number 10 is the most important. Things a good bear camp should have or provide? A lead guide or owner that busts his and takes care of his clients....That's what (as a hunter) would make me come back as a repeat customer whether I was successful or not.

One thing I just thought of, I was at a bear hunt in Manitoba and everything was great, except for one thing. The food was amazing, cabins were nice, lots of bears and fishing nearby. The one thing that sticks out in my mind about that hunt was the treestands were junk. Some were really uncomfortable (The seat cushions were gone) some seemed downright unsafe. Sitting for 6-7 hours was agony. For a $3000 hunt he should have had better stands.

thehay95 wrote:Just curious as to what are the top 10 things a good bear camp should have and/or provide. What would you expect from a fall bear camp to make it a successful and fulfilling experience - especially if you didn't kill a bear? What would you be willing to pay for such a hunt in Northern Minnesota or Wisconsin? Lets say it's a five day hunt.

thehay95 Just curious as to why you asked that question?