Our professionally organized Black Bear Hunts preparations begin in the early Spring, with scouting for new areas, updating stands and bait sites and clearing trails and access points. With all aspects of our Bear Hunts being very labour intensive, we still offer a very reasonable price for our package. Our goal is to develop a friendship with our Hunters, so that they will return annually to hunt with us, and enjoy the surroundings of our beautiful Northern Ontario wilderness area. Although we have a large Bear Management Area, we limit our Bear Hunters to 4 per week for our 1 week spring hunt and also 4 per week for our fall hunt. We do have many trophy Black Bears … but we exercise good management conservation for our bear population so as not to disrupt Mother Nature’s delicate balance.

After checking into camp and getting settled into your accommodations, we will organize our Saturday evening Hunter Orientation Meeting in our Main Lodge, where you’ll get to know your Outfitter and Guide. You’ll learn how we operate our hunt, and together choose a hunt location. We’ll then go over the scenarios, hunting regulations & licensing to prepare for the next day’s hunt.

Every Hunter will be guided to their stand, guaranteeing that they will be hunting over an active bait that has been prebaited for weeks prior to arrival. Our new stationary ladder stands are constructed of lumber and very secure. Stands are only accessible from our Lodge by our UTV side by sides. Groups over 4 hunters may need to bring an ATV for transportation, keeping in mind that we insist on keeping our area quiet and undisturbed as possible before and during the hunting season. We do not allow ATV’ing on trails or remote lake trips during the hunting season for this reason.

Ladder Stands are constructed of wood and are very sturdy and comfortable. Your eye level while sitting in your stand is 20 feet. Pull up ropes are provided along with metal hooks to hang your extra gear. Bow hunters should bring a mounting arm if you choose to hang your bow.

Bear Hunted at Thunderstock Outfitters

When it is time to hunt, you follow your Guide to your stand who will then set up your bait. It is not advised to add any extra scent or change baits that would negatively affect the bear’s feeding habits due to the fact that this could shut the bait down. Bears become comfortable with OUR scent and accustomed to the usual bait … but your new human scent at their dinner table will make the bears coming to that bait very hesitant to come back – so bring an abundant amount of scent cover spray!

After your successful kill, we are happy to help in retrieval and transportation back to camp, where we will also offer our guidance and assistance in the gutting, skinning and quartering of your Bear at our processing area.

Along with a very memorable wilderness experience, you will find that we work very hard to assure not only your hunt success, but also your comfort at camp.

Click To View Our Bear Hunt Videos & More !

Find out more…

Questions

What’s your success rate?
Overall success rates vary from 85% – 100%. Rates are calculated by not only harvested bears, but also bears that could have been harvested at the bait while hunters were in the stand. Many hunters see multiple bears at the bait – so bring your camera !

What’s your average sized bear?
Average size for Black Bears across Northern Ontario are 225lbs with mature boars ranging upward to 600lbs.

How many hunters do you have in camp each week?
We reserve 4 hunters for the week of the Spring hunt, and 4 hunters normally each of the 3 weeks for the Fall Hunt – but at times we are asked to host 6 hunters in a group, but 6 is the maximum.  We have 30 bait sites / stands – 220 sq. kms. of Bear Management Area.

What’s the best hunt week?
All 4 weeks of our hunt have equal success – 1 week in Spring & 3 weeks in Fall.

Should I bring my own tree stand?
No – we supply sturdy, wooden stationary ladder stands, but if you intend on bring along a Jr. Hunter or Photographer, they will need a climber or hang on stand.  We do not recommend having 2 people in the tree due to double the scent, movement and size of silhouette.

Should I bring my own ATV?
It is not necessary for Guided Hunts as we supply transportation to and from your stand, but for Unguided Do It Yourself Hunts, you are required to bring ATV’s or Side by Sides for transportation to and from your stands.

How far is my shot distance?
All stands are set up for 20 – 30 yard shots.

Can I hunt with my Bow and my Rifle?
Yes – you can have both with you in the stand.

How high are the stands?
The ladder stand platform is 16′ with your eyes at 20′ while sitting. Standing your shot would be from  22′.

Hunting Ladder Stand

Will I have to bait my own stands ?
No, unlike many other Outfitters – we bait the stands daily – you are guided to your stand, and we service it daily at a scheduled time that we have done so for the previous 4 – 6 weeks. You … relax and enjoy your hunt. (Guided Hunt)

Unguided Hunt you will bait your own stands that have been prebaited for a month before your arrival.  You will also be responsible for your ATV transportation, tracking, retrieval and processing of your bear.

Can I bring my own bait?
No – we do not ever change the bait that we’ve used for weeks before your arrival. Experience has taught us that NEVER change the bait or the scent at the bait or there is a good chance that the mature bear(s) that have become comfortable there – will leave the area.

What can I do after I shoot my bear?
Fishing is always a great pass time when your Bear is in the freezer.

Why do you not allow all traditional archery equipment?
Experience has taught us, that due to poor performance from some long bows and recurve bows, the percentage of wounded animals that are not retrievable increases. Thus, we take no chances.

Why do you not allow lead slugs for shotgun & muzzle loader hunters?
Again, experiencing wounded animals that are not retrieved has shown us that lead sabot slugs will tend to shatter into lead pieces on impact of bone – thus, we only allow copper solid slugs that “mushroom” and do not come apart at impact.

Do Bow Hunters have a spot to practice shooting a target at camp?
Yes – in fact, we insist on practice for all Bow Hunters. A duplicate stand is erected at camp with a block target for each Hunter to practice daily before their hunt. We require that all Bow Hunters and their equipment be accurate and consistent, so we ask that you shoot your bow daily before leaving camp. A good test is to place a square “sticky note” on the target – and impress us and your buddies by putting 3 arrows through the paper !

What time can we arrive at camp on our scheduled Saturday date ?
You can arrive after 2 pm – get settled in – then attend our Saturday evening, 7 pm Hunter Orientation Meeting.

How do I pay my balance on arrival along with license and tax?
Cash, Debit or Credit On Arrival (no cheques please).

What to Bring

What to Bring for Your Black Bear Hunt

  • Sleeping Bag & Pillow for each person in your group
  • Camo hunting clothing and camo Rain Gear
  • Camo mask, belaclava, or face paint
  • Camo gloves
  • Blaze orange vest & hat (going to and from the stand)
  • Cushion for the stand
  • Weapon & ammo, weapon case
  • Tree stand safety harness
  • Cover scent/scent killer
  • Old hunting license for us to keep
  • 1 XL cooler/1 medium size cooler per hunter
  • Heavy plastic clear bags (for meat transporting in cooler)
  • Food & beverages for the week
  • Warm waterproof boots
  • Flashlight with extra batteries
  • Skinning/butchering knives
  • Camera/film
  • Thermocell/spare cartridges and pads
  • Driving directions
  • Personal items and toiletries
  • Cash for balances owing (NO cheques on arrival please)

What to Bring for Bow Hunters

  • 3 or 4 blade heavy grain broad heads preferred (150 grain)
  • NO long bows or recurve bows

What to Bring 12 Gauge Shotgun and Muzzle Loader Hunters

  • Copper solid slugs ONLY

Rates


2023 Guided Hunts:  SOLD OUT
2024 Guided Hunts:  SOLD OUT
NOW BOOKING for 2025

GUIDED HUNT PACKAGE DETAILS:

  • 7 day stay, 6 day hunt
  • Full fishing package
  • Fully equipped group accommodations
  • Hot and cold running water
  • Furnishings
  • Appliances
  • Electricity
  • Freezers
  • Access to main lodge lounge
  • Hunter orientation meeting
  • Newly constructed ladder stands
  • 1 bear tag per hunter
  • 2 personal guides for group
  • Pre-baited 6 weeks in advance and baited by guides daily
  • Tagging instructions
  • Assistance with retrieval and processing
  • Assistance with skinning and quartering
  • Use of freezers
  • Information & Orientation Meeting
  • Overview and introduction to area
  • Success photos posted on website

Guided Hunt Pricing
$1799.00 US per hunter

$2099.00 CAD per hunter

Minimum of 2 hunters in a group.
License and taxes not included.
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SELF GUIDED HUNT PACKAGE DETAILS:

10 prebaited areas reserved for your group of 4 hunters.
All prebaited before your arrival
Fall:  4 weeks of prebaiting
Spring:  2-3 weeks of prebaiting
Stationary, secure hunting ladder stands supplied
Bait top up is supplied during your hunt

  • 7 Day Stay / 6 Day Hunt
  • Must Have Group of 4 Hunters
  • Fully Equipped Cabin
  • Full Fishing Package Included
  • Boat / Motor / Fuel – 1 Boat Per 2 Hunters

HUNTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR:

  • Transportation To and From Your Bait Sites With ATV’s
  • Maintaining / Baiting Your Bait Site / Transporting Bear To Camp
  • Tracking, Retrieval / Gutting / Skinning & Processing of Bear

Self Guided Hunt Pricing:
$1399.00 US per hunter

$1699.00 CAD per hunter

Minimum of 4 hunters in a group.
License and taxes not included.

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SELF GUIDED BEAR HUNTS
Click Here For Details & Availability
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Our Promise

Being smaller in size than most Lodges, it allows us to be more personal with each and every Guest.  Keeping things more personal, being committed to our Guest’s needs and meeting great new friends along the way, is our ongoing intention.

To Every Hunter…

  • You will be assigned areas that are active baits and hit consistently
  • You will begin your hunt in a stand that no other hunter has sat that season
  • You will be assigned comfortable, safe and sturdy stands
  • You will be guided to your stand daily and stand baited
  • You will be assigned a second stand after 3 days of no activity at your first stand
  • You will have 100% effort from guides and staff for a successful hunt
  • We will track and retrieve your bear to the best of our ability
  • We will assist you with gutting, skinning and quartering your bear with directions and suggestions
  • We will make your week’s stay as comfortable and memorable as possible.

Experience the thrill of the hunt
with Thunderstock Outfitters

Now Booking For
2025

Our Bear Hunts are very
popular and spots fill up
fast. Don't miss out, contact us
today to book
your reservation.