Planning For A Baited Bear Hunt in Maine

Thought I would share some thoughts on planning for a Bear Hunt in Maine this fall. I have already been on a couple of UNsuccessful Maine bear hunts on the cheap. Our primary interest in planning those  hunts was the cost, and we found out that there is a relationship between the cost and the quality of the hunt.

The biggest thing I learned in retrospect was that it isn't important, whether the meals and lodging are included, or how nice the accomodations are. The most important thing is really not the particular week you book your hunt whether it is the first week, or second week etc. I honestly do not think it is the knowledge of the guide or his experience although that certainly leads into what I think is most important.

I think being guaranteed a bait site that has not been hunted the week before you arrive is a big factor. I think knowing the guide has been baiting his sites for at least 30 days prior to season is important. I think the location and remoteness of his operation are important. I think looking at success ratios, talking to references (both successful and unsuccessful) is important. Lastly, if you can find an outfitter who uses trail cams in his operation, I think that is a plus. It doesn't hurt to take a look at the photo gallery either.

My son and I booked our hunt this past week with "Carey Outfitters" in the Rangeley area of Maine. I did a fair amount of research on the internet, and David Carey seems to to have most of the above. His accomodations are excellent, including satellite dish, internet access, meals included. The price is right which at the time of this post is $1200 for a baited bear hunt (hunting with hounds is $1500) Hunts are 6 nights lodging and 5 days hunting, 3 meals a day, transportation once you arrive,  and complete care of your kill.

Dave uses "trail cams" and advertises that you might possibly be able to see your bear, before he sees you. There are NO guarantees of course, however at least one can know that bear are hitting the bait and have an idea of WHEN they are hitting the bait site. You are also guaranteed a bait site that has not been hunted prior to your arrival. I realize that many outfitters have had decent success ratios putting guys and gals on bait sites that HAVE been hunted prior to their arrival and still taken multiple bears of the same site. Recognizing that, I personally prefer to go on a hunt where the bait site has not been hunted.

Here is a link to Carey Outfitters:

http://www.careyoutfitters.com/02-bear-hunting.html

Now, all that being said, I consider myself a gun nut first and a hunter second. Half the fun of planning a hunt is deciding what rifle and load to use. Jeremy and I  plan on taking (3) rifles with us:

One is a Savage Model 111 30:06,  and we will be using either Remington 180 grain PSP corelokts or possibly 180 grain accubonds.

This rifle also wears a Muller RED Dot scope which aids in shot placement on those late to dinner bears in the woods.

A Marlin model 1895 45-70 with a 1.5XX5X32 Bushnell Mdl 3200 scope with rainguard and firefly,  probably using Buffalo Bore 405 grain JFN (as recommended by Tim Sundles of Buffalo Bore) OR possibly their 350 grain JFN Penetrator load. I haven't nailed down a for sure load yet, and am also considering:

Corbon's DPX 300 grain JHP - uses Barnes TSX hollow point bullet for deep penetration and expansion
Garret's 350 grain Woodleigh JSP at around 2000 fps


And for a backup rifle (in case of a scope problem, or other unexpected problems with the first two) we are taking a Ruger Hawkeye .338 Federal wearing a 3X9X40 mdl 3200 scope with rainguard and firefly,  using 210 grain Nosler Partitions. I have 2 boxes of these on hand, however would not hesitate to also use their 200 grain Federal Fusion load

I am one of those guys who would rather "Have it and NOT need it, than to need it and NOT have it".

I have been taking spare rifles on hunts for years and never needed one. If the truth be known, sometimes I just like to switch rifles midstream during a hunt because I convince myself it might change my luck.

YES, I know that most black bears over bait, EVEN the BIG ones, are taken with deer rifles in the .270., .280, .308, 30-30 class and if that was all I had, I would go hunting anyway.

In my case, part of the fun of going on an out of state hunt and owning more than one suitable rifle, is spending time trying to figure out which one to take and why, That is part of what makes me a "gun nut".

Dan

Song of Solomon 12:13-14 KJV "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man (14) For God shall bring every work into judgement, with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil"