SEPTEMBER 2012 PHRA 13 HCU s Scott Steinkruger took this impressive 162-inch Kansas buck on Hunt WD564. KANSAS OUTFITTER ONLY TAKES 2 ARCHERY AND 2 RIFLE HUNTERS PER YEAR Here is a very small start up outfitter that only wants to take a couple archers and rifle hunters per year on his family s 2,000-acre farm in central Kansas along the Arkansas River. He also has an additional small private lease just for hunting and another 1,000 acres they farm. At press time he had a 170-inch 6x6 on trail cam along with a wide tall 10-point, another buck in the 160 s and a big framed 8-point. HCU s Scott Steinkruger and a friend will rifle hunt in 2013. Price for 2014 will be $3,000 for a 6-day archery hunt. Rifle hunts are 5 days guided 2x1 and priced at $3,500. Hunters will pay for their own motel and meals in the nearby town of Great Bend. Archery hunts could be from early November up to Thanksgiving. Rifle hunt would start the first Wednesday after Thanksgiving. He hunts Units 5 and 560 where tags are almost 100 percent draw. Hunters fly into Wichita and rent a vehicle for the 2 hour drive. Hunt WD564. MISSOURI WHITETAIL $2700 MID-NOVEMBER RIFLE RUT HUNT 2013 proved to be a little tougher, but over the course of 2 rifle hunts they had 17 hunters tag 12 bucks, including a 151, 148 and a 141. 2 hunters left early and one buck was crippled and lost. The first hunt was also hampered by warm weather and up to 45 mile per hour winds with a full moon. They lost one farm lease, but picked up two more. In 2012 they had 11 hunters take 11 bucks and the top 5 bucks scored 170, 153, 148, 142 and 140 inches. Inexpensive, good deer numbers, private land, fantastic accommodations and great guides. They have lowered the number of hunters taking only up to 8 for each of the two hunts to improve quality. In 2012 they had 8 on the first hunt and only 3 on the second, due to late cancellations. In 2011 on the first gun hunt they took 8 bucks. On the second hunt they killed 6 bucks and the best buck grossed 158 inches and the overall average was in the 130 s. These hunts take place on 2,500 wellmanaged private acres in northcentral Missouri located in Howard County. 4-day rifle hunt is priced at $2,700 and add extra days at $300 per day if available, it is an 11- day season. They have 15 enclosed heated box blinds on 10 to 15-foot stands. They take up to 8 rifle hunters on each of the 2 hunts. Lodging is an incredible 9,000 square foot log chalet with 5 bedrooms and 3 baths, with meals included. Hunters fly into St. Louis or Kansas City and rent a car for the 2 and a half hour drive. Openings are very limited. Hunt WD660. ADAMS COUNTY OHIO 9000 PRIVATE ACRES ARCHERY RUT HUNTS $2500 GUN HUNTS $2750 At press time 19 bowhunters had scored on 8 bucks ranging in size from 115 to the low 160 s. Many of the hunters are repeat customers looking for better deer and pass on bucks up to 140 inches. Gun season had not started at press time. This outfit is unique as they prefer hunters wanting to assist in their own hunt. 80 percent of the archers that hunt here bring their own climbing stands and assist in setting them up. Some hunters come every year and the area they hunt is set aside for their group and only their group, it is not hunted any other time. They assist in stand placement and come out at different times just to scout. The outfit is looking for real hunters that want to contribute to their hunt. The outfit also has about 40 stands, 180 acres of food plots and feeders on the property. This family operation owns 9,000 deeded acres in Adams County, which is considered one of the top producing counties in Ohio. It is located in the south-central part of the state near Kentucky. Accommodations can be a nice ranch house Mark Woods took this Alberta buck November 23 and notice the bark in his antlers. Glen and Matt House with their Missouri bucks on Hunt WD660. known as Poplar Flat that sleeps 12 with 2 bathrooms or they also have a couple cabins at separate locations equipped for groups of 4 or 5. 5-day early bow season October hunts are priced at $2,250. Rut hunts from October 25 to November 27 are $2,500. Shotgun or muzzleloader hunts starting November 28 are $2,750 and late season muzzleloader hunts January 7 to 10 are $2,500. Hunters arrive on Sunday, hunt Monday through Friday and depart Saturday. Tags are over the counter, no draw. Hunt WD430. TEXAS WHITETAIL HUNT 4-DAYS ONLY $3250 30,000 FREE-RANGE ACRES This outfitter has 2 ranches totaling over 30,000 private-acres, all free-range, located 30 miles south of San Angelo. You can sit in your tower stand and look over plenty of bucks before pulling the trigger on this hunt. He takes about 35 hunters per year over the course of 6 weeks. Success runs near 100% on bucks averaging 135 or better and the top bucks taken break the 150- inch mark. High deer numbers, nice comfortable ranch house lodging, good weather and fun guides make up the recipe for a very enjoyable hunt. 4-day hunt starting the first weekend of November is only $3,250 and runs to mid- December. We prefer the rut dates just around Thanksgiving. Openings are very limited due to repeat customers. Some repeat hunters have been with this outfitter for well over a decade. Airport pickup in San Angelo included. Hunt WD233. $2500 TEXAS FREE-RANGE HUNT ON 2200 PRIVATE ACRES This ranch has not been commercially hunted since 2008 and has been in the family as a working cattle ranch since in the 1930 s, but the drought forced them to sell off the cattle in February of 2012. The rancher would like to take a group of 4 hunters for a 3-day hunt priced at $2,500 each anytime from early October until the end of February. The ranch has 8 hunting blinds with spin-cast feeders with most bucks being mature 8-points in the 110 to 120-inch class. Hunters can take one buck of any size and possibly a doe for meat. The ranch is located in the western Texas Hill Country, 20 miles northwest of Junction. Modern bunkhouse accommodations, nice cookhouse with meals furnished, airport pickup at San Angelo is included. Hunt WD944. Scott 806-353-3634 Bob 330-730-3473 Cliff 724-538-8686 Craig 412-606-9551 13
Long time HCU hunter Duane Paul with a monster 186-inch Texas buck on Hunt WDP806. $3000 TEXAS WHITETAIL HUNT 100% SUCCESS AND BARGAIN PRICED Here is a HCU exclusive that has been a fantastic hunt and all past HCU customers have had nothing but praise for this operation, in fact, all of the hunters have rebooked this hunt at least one more time and quite a few have hunted here several times. This is not your normal piece of property leased out to an outfitter to run hunts on solely to make a profit. The ranch owner only allows a very select number of hunters each year to hunt his ranch, run by him, mainly for enjoyment and to manage a healthy deer herd. Fantastic accommodations coupled with Black Angus steaks grilling over the mesquite fire at the end of the day along with a cold beer or a glass of fine wine. It just doesn t get any better. Here is a great bargain, something not common for Texas whitetail hunts. This 3,000- acre private ranch under high fence is located in the Texas panhandle near the town of Clarendon. Arrive on a Thursday, hunt Friday, Saturday, Sunday and depart on Monday. Three hunting days are priced very economically at $3,000 and that includes a buck of 8 or 9 points and gross Oklahoma hunter Roland Chaffin took his Alberta buck on Hunt WD832. scoring less than 150 Boone and Crockett inches, very nice accommodations, food and 1 on 1 guide service. Deer grossing from 150 up to 169 Boone and Crockett points have a trophy fee of $2,000. Top trophy bucks scoring over 170 have a $4,500 trophy fee. Limit of one deer per hunter. This ranch has limited hunting and is very brushy where as many mature bucks are not seen all year except for during the rut. HCU s Scott Steinkruger has been on this ranch several times and he reports it as being a special place. Quail hunting or red stag can be included with this hunt. Texas non-resident license is $300. Hunters are met in Amarillo. Extremely limited openings, call for availability. Hunt WDP806. 1000-ACRE PENNSYLVANIA WHITETAIL AND ELK PRESERVE This preserve has over 1,000 acres under high fence where they conduct whitetail and elk hunts in the mountains near DuBois in west central Pennsylvania. They operate out of a very nice rustic lodge with private bedrooms and baths. 3- day hunts are the norm and they will give you 4 to 6 days for groups of 4 or more. Whitetails taken that gross score up to 140 inches are priced at $3,000, 141-159 is $4,000, 160-179 is $6000 and 180-199 is $8,000. Elk scoring up to 300 inches are $4,000, 330 inches $5,000 and 350 inches $6000. Cow elk hunts are $1,500. Season dates are typically Sept. 25 to Jan. 1. Hunting methods include treestands, blinds and spot and stalk. Pheasants can be added to any big game hunt. Airport shuttle $100. Hunt EKP/WDP290. Massachusetts hunter Barney McDevitt with his Missouri buck on Hunt WD660. or if you hunt private land the hunt cost is increased by $400 plus a $700 harvest fee. Archery hunts are December 26 to January 31 for 5 days and gun hunts are 6 days. Archery hunts are conducted by mainly ground blinds, with some treestands and spot and stalk. Gun hunts are basically spot and stalk for the last week of October, second and fourth weeks of November. Archery tags are over the counter and gun licenses are on a draw that is near 100%, with a May 30 deadline. Hunters are picked up in Tucson at no additional cost. Hunt CD404. This outfitter has now leased a 90 square mile parcel in Old Mexico east of Hermosillo strictly for trophy Coues hunts. In 2014 the price will only be $4,350 plus a $700 harvest fee, but we expect prices in 2015 to increase to $5,500 with a $1,000 trophy fee. He will offer both archery and rifle hunts on an alternating schedule. He expects this property to produce some top end trophies with the feeding program he is implementing. Hunts will be from December 1 to January 31. Hunters can fly into Tucson where they will be met and driven across the border to the ranch or fly into Hermosillo where they will pick you up. Hunt CDMX404. 14 Christine Pohopek made a fine shot to take her first whitetail buck on the last day on Hunt WDP290. ARIZONA COUES SPECIALIST 100% DRAW AND NEAR 100% SUCCESS ARCHERY AND GUN HUNTS Here is the best opportunity for a quality Arizona Coues deer without going across the border into old Mexico and you can get a tag. This outfitter specializes in archery hunts, but his gun hunts tend to run 100% success on bucks averaging over 90 inches and topping out in the mid-teens. His archery hunts generally run a 90% success rate and one of his hunters took the new World Record buck in 2010 scoring 135 7/8. He normally takes 10 to 15 rifle hunters per year and 30 to 40 archers. These southern Arizona hunts include lodging, meals and 1x1 guide services for $3,950 Send All Deposits To Hunting Consultants Unlimited Chuck Behary made a 350 yard shot the last day to tag his Arizona coues deer on Hunt CD404. www.besthunts.net
SEPTEMBER 2012 PHRA 15 Dale Robison took this Pope and Young archery pronghorn on Hunt PGB427. ANTELOPE k Most of the western states that offer antelope hunts have been experiencing a lengthy drought the past several years and it has really taken a toll on the pronghorns in both numbers and quality. Some states have reduced the number of tags available making it harder to acquire a license through the draw. WYOMING PRONGHORN $1850 OR MOUNTAIN RANCH IS $2200 DRAW HAS BEEN 100% ON TAGS 2013 proved to be another year with 100 percent success on decent goats despite the 2- year drought that has been hampering horn growth. Pronghorns here averaged 13 1/2 to 15 inches, with the best gross scoring 79 inches, not real tall, but heavy. 2012 quality was down due to the severe drought. All pronghorn hunters were successful on bucks ranging from 13 1/2 to 15 inches. The 2011 fall produced the best pronghorn bucks on both ranches for the past several years. This outfitter has 2 private ranches, one in the plains and another in the mountains. Success has been 100% both archery and rifle for years and quality is a little better on the mountain ranch. He typically runs about 8 gun and 2 or 3 archery pronghorn hunters on the 65,000-acre plains ranch, but plans on cutting it down to 6 total for 2014. 3-day gun hunts are $1,850 guided 2x1 and include airport pickup in Casper, house accommodations and meals. Archery hunts are 5 days priced at $1,850 and he only takes 2 or 3 bowhunters during the start of gun season. He sets them up on water holes in blinds. The ranch is located between Douglas and Gillette. Hunts start September 24 and applications are due March 15 for the draw, which has been 100% past years. Next opening is in 2015. Hunt PG157. His mountain ranch is 20,000 acres located between Cheyenne and Laramie and has a little better trophy quality, normally averaging about 15 inches. 3-day full service hunt October 7 to 9 guided 2x1 is $2,200, including airport pickup in Cheyenne. 2014 is booked full, next opening is in 2015. Hunt PGC157. Josh Gonzalez took his Wyoming pronghorn on Hunt PG157. $2500 NEW MEXICO PRONGHORN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER DATES GUARANTEED TAG NO DRAWING Drought affected horn growth in 2013, but all 6 hunters took home bucks averaging almost 15 inches. In 2012 all 11 pronghorn hunters took home bucks averaging in the mid-70 s. He only took 6 hunters in 2011 due to the drought and all took home bucks averaging 70 plus inches. In 2010 he took a total of 8 hunters over the course of 2 hunts on 150,000 acres and all 8 took nice bucks. The better ones came in at 15 1/2-inches with good mass. Many years they took up to 25 hunters on these ranches, but they cut the numbers back to improve on quality. Northeastern New Mexico has always produced heavy horned antelope and the numbers have been consistently high. This area offers 2 seasons, each are 3-day hunts, August 20 to 22 (perfect for students) and September 17 to 19. Price is very reasonable at $2,500 guided 2x1 with a new lodge equipped with trophy room and all the amenities. Guaranteed landowner voucher is included so there is no draw. Hunters fly into Colorado Springs and rent a car. Hunt PG278. WYOMING OUTFITTER HUNTS 3 UNITS ONLY $1850 This small family run operation offers hunts in 3 areas of southeastern Wyoming. All are priced the same at $1,850 for 3 days guided 2x1. They take a very limited amount of hunters and last year took a total of only 13 hunters. One is west of Laramie in Area 50 where they hunt 6,000 acres of private land. Accommodations are a nice log lodge just recently built. Season runs Sept. 15 - Oct. 15. In Area 103 near Wheatland they have 60,000 private acres. Accommodations are a nice cabin next to the outfitter s home. Season is Oct. 5-31. They are in the process of acquiring another 16,000-acre lease in Area 42 with good pronghorn numbers. Accommodations would either be in their log lodge or the cabin in Wheatland. Drawing odds have dropped from 100 percent to between 60 and 85 percent depending on the areas and hunters can apply as a group. Hunters fly into Denver and rent a car for the 2 1/2 hour drive or fly into Cheyenne where arrangements can be made for pickup. HCU s Cliff Graham has hunted with this outfit. Hunt PG703. Mike Dyer with his representative Colorado pronghorn on Hunt PG226. NEW MEXICO RANCH 25,000 PRIVATE ACRES This had been our premier pronghorn hunt until the drought of 2011. Last fall in 2013 they only took 2 bucks off the 25,000 private acres, both scoring in the mid-70 s. In 2012 they took 4 bucks off the property, but quality was down. In 2011 HCU s Cliff Graham and Bob Wodzisz were on this hunt. Bob did take a buck grossing 82 inches, but the others were not the caliber of bucks normally taken on this hunt. In 2010 before the drought, 3 of the 4 bucks taken had 16-inch horns and grossed 80 inches or better. In 2009, 3 of the 4 bucks taken gross scored over the Boone and Crockett minimum of 82 points and the best grossed 87 with 2 more at 85. In 2008 all 4 bucks grossed over 82 with the best coming in at 87 and 86 inches. The outfitter is expecting the ranch to improve with positive weather conditions and the genetics are definitely superb, but until then the price will continue to be down from $4,000 to $3,000 guided 1x1 for this 2-day hunt that includes nice ranch house accommodations, home cooked meals and airport pickup in Midland or fly into Lubbock, Texas and rent a car. Season is the second or third weekend in September. 2014 is available. Hunt PG685. COLORADO PRONGHORN HUNT STARTS AUGUST 15 ONLY $2500 GREAT FOR STUDENTS OR TEACHERS This 20,000-acre ranch is in the Ranching for Wildlife program guaranteeing you a pronghorn tag. Rifle hunts start August 15 and continue to run into early November. Early dates are perfect for students or teachers. In 2013 all 14 hunters took home bucks. Past 3 years success has been 100% on bucks 13 to 15 inches and averaging gross scores in the mid-70 s, top bucks near the 80-inch mark. 3-day hunts guided 2x1 are only $2,500. Elk can be combined on this hunt for an additional $3,500 and this includes a fourth day of hunting. This has been one of our most popular hunts due to the guaranteed tag-no drawing, liberal season dates, 100 percent success on quality bucks, nice accommodations with great guides. New lodge accommodations with family style meals and airport pickup in Hayden. Guaranteed tag, no draw. Openings are available for both pronghorn and elk in 2014. Hunt PG226. Scott 806-353-3634 Bob 330-730-3473 Cliff 724-538-8686 Craig 412-606-9551 15
Mike Rensch took his black bear in Manitoba. COLORADO PRONGHORN HUNT GUARANTEED LICENSE-NO DRAW STARTS AUGUST 15 ONLY $2450 This has been a very popular hunt due to the guaranteed tag-no drawing, liberal season dates, 100% success on quality bucks, nice accommodations with great guides. These couple ranches combined total 200,000 acres and they are in the Ranching for Wildlife program allowing rifle hunts to start August 15 and continue to run into November. Perfect dates for students or teachers. Success has been 100% on bucks in the 13 to 15-inch plus class gross scoring in the 70 s and top bucks usually make 80 inches. 3-day hunts guided 2x1 are only $2,450. Nice ranch house accommodations include family style meals and airport pickup in Hayden. Guaranteed tag, no draw. Hunt PG373. 5-DAY MONTANA ANTELOPE ARCHERY ONLY $1750 Here is a no frills 5-day bowhunt for trophy sized pronghorns. This rancher/outfitter runs a small personal operation in southeastern Montana on private property that has produced many trophy bucks. The genetics are very good and he typically doesn t rifle hunt these ranches, only bowhunts. Last fall his 4 archers took 3 bucks and it looks like all should qualify for Pope and Young. The unsuccessful hunter could only stay for 3 days and was hampered by high winds and rain. This was the first unsuccessful hunter in the past 4 years. In 2012 his 9 archers took 9 pronghorn bucks, including 6 that should make the Pope and Young record book and one may go 80 inches. In 2011 he had 11 archers take 11 pronghorn bucks and 7 should make Pope and Young. In 2010 his 7 archers took 7 bucks, with 5 making Pope and Young and 2 more that may qualify. This is a no frills hunt with trailer house accommodations, meals and guide service, all for only $1,750. Hunt dates are August 15 to late September. Hunters need to apply for tags by June 1. Fly into Billings or Rapid City and rent a car. The outfitter has decided to offer a whitetail/ pronghorn archery combo hunt. Price would be $3,500 for a combo and if you didn t draw a pronghorn tag the deer hunt would drop to $2,800 or if you didn t draw the deer the pronghorn hunt would drop to $1,500. Deer draw deadline is March 15. HCU s Bob Wodzisz has been on this ranch. Hunt PGB427. Greg Blazosky took his big British Columbia blackie on Hunt BL140. BLACK BEAR ALBERTA 2 BEAR LIMIT ONLY $3800 PLUS LICENSE/TAGS SPRING AND FALL HUNTS IN 2014 The late spring of 2013 hurt the first hunt here as well, going 0 for 2, saw some small ones, but no shooters. The second and third hunts were the norm with all 4 hunters on each hunt tagging 2 bears. Finishing out with 8 hunters taking 16 bears. The biggest bear taken was a monster 8- foot brown phase and the bowhunter that took him also took a 7 footer that same evening, both with the bow. His son-in-law took a 7-foot black and a blonde with archery gear. Overall they ended up taking more off colored bears than black, including 4 in the blonde phase. Fall hunt was 3 hunters, 2 archers and 1 rifle hunter, and all took home bears averaging 6-foot. Spring of 2012 the outfitter only had 3 permits and all 3 hunters took 2 bears for a total of 6. Of the largest 3 bears the best one squared just under 8-foot, 7-foot 8-inch and a 7-foot 6-inch. This hunt allows you to take 2 bears so be especially selective on your second bear. Normally the main reason an outfitter takes really huge bears like this is because of a new area or he is up against an area that does not allow hunting, like a park, that he can pull old bears out of or his area is extremely under hunted. Here is a hunt for two bears at a very reasonable rate. The outfitter will continue to drive daily over an hour north for his 5 spring hunters in Unit 509. He is looking to moving his 4 hunters in Unit 506, right by his home, to a fall hunt utilizing his normal bait sites and possibly adding some spot and stalk in the grain fields. 6-day hunt for 2 bears plus license/gst tax ($300), includes lodging, meals, guiding and airport pickup in Edmonton is only $3,800. HCU has worked with this outfitter for several years with very good results. Limited openings. Hunt BL832. SASKATCHEWAN BEAR ONLY $2500 INCLUDES LICENSES AND TAX SPRING OR FALL DATES INCLUDES EXCEPTIONAL FISHING Spring of 2013 was tough due to the late winter and most outfitters, including this one, couldn t even get out baiting well into May. His first group of 6 hunters took 4 bears, second hunt went 2 for 3, third hunt the same at 2 for 3 and the final hunt only 1 for 3. The best bear taken was a big old boar with a 20-inch skull. They also took 3 more bears over 300 pounds throughout the season. On the later hunts they had 4 bruiser bears on trail-cams that they just couldn t get killed. Late September he had 5 bear hunters and 4 of them also had deer tags. Overall they took 3 bears, all in the 300 to 350 pound class and 3 bucks, including a 140-inch 8-point, 10- point in the 140 s and a small buck. Spring of 2012 he only had 4 hunters and they all took bears over 300 pounds, including a monster of 475 pounds with a skull measuring well over 21 inches, taken by a young girl. Spring of 2011 his 9 hunters harvested 8 bears, including a record book 450 pound Boone and Crockett bear that scored 21 4/8 inches. One third of the bears taken weighed over 300 pounds and that number would be higher if hunters kept their finger off the trigger and didn t shoot the first off-colored bear that came in. Off-colored bears are quite plentiful; in fact, they have outnumbered the traditional black phase. In 2010 he had 10 bowhunters take 8 bears and the 2 unsuccessful hunters missed. Best bear weighed in at over 400 pounds and the average bear harvested weighed over 250 pounds. 6-day hunts are priced at $2,500 for rifle or archery and include nice cabin accommodations, meals, license and tax. The cabin is situated right on Tobin Lake and fishing is just outside the door. The Saskatchewan River is also boat accessible from the lodge and it holds some fantastic walleye fishing. He provides boat, motor, gas and good days have produced as many as 100 walleyes per boat. One of our most frequent requests is black bear hunts that include good fishing, well here it is. Spring hunts are the last week of May and the first 2 weeks of June. Fall hunts are the last 2 weeks of September into early October with the option of adding whitetail with archery or muzzleloader for the $4,900 combo or start your combo October 1 when you can rifle hunt the deer. Deer are hunted in the mornings from ladder stands or ground blinds until you score on your bear and then you hunt deer morning and evening. Combination hunts tend to be conducted in more farm country. Rifle, archery or muzzleloader hunters are welcome. Airport pickup is available for $300 per vehicle roundtrip or rent a car. Hunt BL577. 16 Send All Deposits To Hunting Consultants Unlimited www.besthunts.net
SEPTEMBER 2012 PHRA 17 Andy McDonald and Lew Shanks with Andy s bear on Hunt BL140. SOUTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA SPOT/STALK 2 BLACK BEAR $2500 SECOND BEAR ONLY $800 SPRING ONLY HUNT The outfitter had 12 spring bear hunters in 2013 and all took home bears and the few that wanted a second bear took 2. In the spring of 2012 all 8 bear hunters scored and only one hunter wanted a second bear and he took home two. Top bears squared out in the 6 1/ 2-foot class. The area has plenty of bears with a high color phase of about 45 percent. This small family run outfit runs a high success spot and stalk black bear hunt in southern British Columbia. Baiting is not allowed in British Columbia so the main method of hunting is driving logging roads and glassing clear-cuts or watching feeding areas. If a hunter would like to experience hunting with hounds that is typically available, but most prefer spot and stalk. 7-day hunt includes nice house accommodations, meals and guiding for $2,500. Another great feature of this hunt is you can hunt a second bear for only $800. Spring hunts run from May 1 to June 15. Hunters fly into Spokane, Washington and rent a car for the 2 and a half hour ride north just across the border, no expensive airline tickets or charter flights. Hunting license and bear tag is around $400 plus 6 percent tax. Next available opening is in spring 2015. HCU s Bob Wodzisz has hunted with this outfitter. Hunt BL140. MANITOBA BEAR $2500 HCU HUNTERS 100% SUCCESS 4 OR 5 SIGHTINGS PER NIGHT SPRING OR FALL HUNTS Past HCU hunters have been 100 percent success over many years. The outfitter has 11 permits per year and can be distributed between spring and fall. Success has been basically the same, so it is just a preference as to when the hunter wants to come. Spring of 2013 he had 4 archers take 3 bears, including 2 over 300 pounds and a 250. One hunter using a recurve missed a bear estimated to be 350 pounds. In the fall his 2 hunters tagged out in 2 days with a 250 and 205 pound bear. This was their first bear hunt. In 2012 he only had 4 hunters and they booked for the fall hunt. They took 2 bears over 300 pounds and 2 more in the 250 pound class. In 2011 he had 4 hunters take 3 bears and the unsuccessful hunter had gun problems. The spring of 2010 he had 2 hunters and the best bear they took weighed in just shy of 300 pounds. This hunter scored on the fifth evening and passed on 39 bears before taking this one. In the fall of 2010 he had 2 hunters and the best bear went 266 pounds and the hunter saw 37 in 4 evenings. Bears typically average in the 225 to 250 pound class, but it is not uncommon for them to take bears over 400 pounds. Normally about 50% of the hunters are archers. 6-day hunt is $2,500 and includes the 6% HST tax, but hunters pay for a $335 license. House accommodations in Hodgson, meals and airport pickup in Winnipeg is included. Spring hunts are mid-may into early June and fall is the first 2 weeks of September. Fishing is not an option on this hunt. Hunt BL44. MANITOBA MONSTER BEARS AVERAGE OVER 300 POUNDS CLOSE TO 100% ONLY $2800 SPRING AND FALL HUNTS Spring of 2013 they elected to cancel the hunt due to the freak late winter that dumped a large amount of snow. They moved the hunters to the early September fall hunt that produced 9 bears for 11 hunters. 3 bears WEIGHED IN RIGHT AROUND 600 POUNDS including 2 that will make Boone and Crockett, 2 were in that 300 pound class and the rest were 225 up to 300 pounds. 2 hunters passed on small bears. Spring of 2012 he had 6 hunters tag 5 bears, with the LARGEST GOING 525 POUNDS AND AVERAGING 300. HCU s Bob Wodzisz was unsuccessful on this hunt, but passed on plenty of bears. In the fall he had 4 HUNTERS TAG 3 BOARS FROM 350 TO 500 POUNDS. 2011 spring his 5 hunters tagged 5 bruins, 4 were color phase, and the LARGEST WENT 530 POUNDS. He had 3 HUNTERS ON THE FALL HUNT AND THEY HAD 50 SIGHTINGS IN ONE EVENING AND SAW 439 BEARS OVER THE COURSE OF THE WEEK. All 3 scored and the best was just shy of 500 pounds. This outfitter runs his operation up against one of the largest national parks in Manitoba. Hunting is prohibited in the park and by baiting he pulls lots of big bears into his area. On his spring hunts the average bear taken weighs in at 300 pounds and on the fall hunts an amazing 400 Archie, Jim, John and Pierce Banbury with Jim s bear on Saskatchewan Hunt BL577. pounds. They have taken quite a few in the 600 pound class and the largest weighed an amazing 711 pounds. His tags can be used in the spring or fall and stands are setup for archery hunters. Spring hunts are the last 2 weeks of May and the fall hunt is the first week of September. 6-day hunt is $2,800 with nice lodge accommodations, meals and GST. License is $320 plus $25 Canadian gun fee. Fly into Winnipeg and rent a car for the 2 hour drive. Hunt BL204. NEW BRUNSWICK SPRING BEAR ONLY $1700 INCLUDES FISHING Here is an inexpensive bear hunt that includes fishing along with a very high opportunity rate to take a bear. Over the course of last spring his 60 hunters had 162 bear sightings and 42 were harvested. Opportunity rate was around 95 percent. The largest bear taken weighed in at 360 pounds and 4 more topped the 300 mark. 2012 spring over the course of May and June his 45 hunters had 158 bear sightings, killed 37 and hit and lost 23. The largest bear taken last spring would go 400 pounds. In 2011 his spring bear hunt was outstanding. They had 30 hunters score on 27 bears and only one hunter did not see a bear. Best bear taken weighed just over 300 pounds. Spring of 2010 he had close to 50 bear hunters and they bagged 33 bears. 7 bears were wounded, 3 missed and 2 hunters did not see a bear. 107 bears were seen from stands and one bowhunter saw 13. 5-day hunt takes place in May and early June, no Sunday hunting. Permanent tree stands 12 to 14 feet high are setup for both gun and bow hunters. They also have numerous ground blinds that offer more comfort with longer shots. Main lodge with 3 cabins is located on Palfrey Lake. Cabins can accommodate up to 6 hunters. Meals and guide service included. Although they do not guide fishermen, they provide you with boats, motors and gas at no additional cost. You need to bring your own life jackets and fishing tackle. During the day you can try your luck with landlocked salmon, smallmouth bass, white perch and pickerel, before heading out for your afternoon bear hunt. Bear license $148, fishing 3-day $25, 7-day $40. Fly to Portland International or Banger and rent a car. Hunt BLNB322. Scott 806-353-3634 Bob 330-730-3473 Cliff 724-538-8686 Craig 412-606-9551 17
BROWN - GRIZZLY BEAR Mike Scavnicky took this big brownie in Alaska s ABC islands on HCU boat Hunt BR957. MANITOBA BLACK BEAR HUNT SPRING OR FALL PLUS ALBERTA HUNTS Last spring was tough due to the long lasting winter causing cold temperatures and bears coming out later than normal. First hunt only 2 bears were taken for 5 hunters. The next 2 hunts everyone scored. Overall on his lodge based hunts 11 hunters took 8 bears. 6-day lodge hunts are $2,800 plus 5% tax, $335 license and airport pickup in Winnipeg is included. Spring hunts are mid-may into June and fall dates are early September. The outfitter also is offering a very unique early May bear hunt/beaver trapping combo for two adventurous hunters that would enjoy catching upwards of 100 beavers and hopefully taking a couple big bears. This would be an evening rifle hunt on baits set about 100 yards out to try and take some big old boars and check trap line during the day. Price is the same at $2,800. HCU s Bob Wodzisz has been in these camps. Limited openings, call for availability. Hunt BL372. This same outfitter also offers Alberta hunts, where you can take 2 bears. Opportunity is typically 100 percent and past seasons have also produced a wolf or two. Land-based hunts are $3,500 plus car rental of about $300 and fly-in hunts are $4,200 plus tax and license. Hunt BLAB372. ALASKA SPRING BLACK BEAR BOAT HUNT HCU s Bob Wodzisz, took a couple buddies up on this southeast Alaska black bear hunt last spring and came away with rave reviews. In fact, both hunters tagged out on the first day of the hunt. The first bay they started into produced a bear that squared 6-foot 8-inches. After some picture taking the outfitter suggested that the other guide and his hunter continue on further back into the bay before leaving, a good suggestion, as they put a 7-foot 4-inch bear into the salt. 2014 spring hunts will be available from May 23 to June 5. This is a very high success hunt priced at only $5,500 for 7 days guided 1x1 with a minimum of 2 hunters or if you have a group of 3 maximum the price drops to $5,000 each guided 2x1. The hunting area is the Chilkat Peninsula off the mainland just west of Juneau. There are plenty of bears and we expect success on quality bears to continue at 100 percent. Quite often some halibut and salmon fishing can also be enjoyed during the hunt. Crab pots are typically dropped so hunters can enjoy some Alaskan king crab along with fresh clams. Accommodations are on his 48-foot yacht with 6 bunks and a shower. Hunters fly into Juneau and then to the town of Hoonah for about $150 roundtrip, where hunters are met. Nonhunters are priced at $2,500. Next openings are in spring of 2014. Hunt BL957. HUNT ALASKA S PENINSULA FOR MONSTER BROWNIES 5 OVER 10-FOOT SPRING 2012 STAY UNTIL YOU KILL Last fall this outfit had 9 hunters tag 8 Peninsula brown bears. Best bear went just under 10-foot and most bears squared between 9 and 9 and a half feet. The unsuccessful hunter was 84, ran out of medication and had to leave early. Spring of 2012 this outfit took 10 brownies and 5 were over 10-foot, 10 7, and 2 at 10 6, 10 4 and a 10 1. They also took a 9 1/2 footer that made Boone and Crockett. This outfit has done tremendous past years mainly due to having exclusive rights to prime native land with 3 major bays and rivers, including over 30 miles of coastline. Just look over the past years stats. This Alaskan Peninsula hunt in Unit 9 takes place near Sand Point on the southern side of the peninsula, one of the top brown bear trophy areas. Fall of 2011 all 8 hunters took boars, including a 10 4 with a 28 1/2-skull and 4 more at 9 1/2 feet. Spring of 2010 when most outfits were experiencing very deep snows and extremely bad weather with high winds on the north side of the Peninsula, this outfitter was just fine due to their specific location on the southeast side along the Pacific. They went 10 for 12, including 2 record book bears with one measuring over 29 inches and the other over 28. 3 bears squared out over 10-foot. Fall of 2009 went 10 for 12 and 2 hunters had to leave early after only 7 days due to commitments. In the spring of 2008 his hunters went 10 for 10 and they took an amazing 6 bears over 10-foot. Normally they will take 3 or 4 over 10-foot on this hunt. Spring hunts, May 10 to 31, are $21,000 and fall hunts, October 1 to 21, are priced the same. Rates are for the entire season, stay until you kill, and most hunters are successful in 7 to 9 days. A packer can be hired for $200 per day. Hunts can be conducted out of base camp with the use of 4-wheelers or jet boats, but mainly this is a spike camp operation. Roundtrip flights from Anchorage to Sand Point run about $800 and the flight from Sand Point to base camp is included in the price. One opening remained at press time for spring of 2014 and several for fall of 2015. Hunt BR781. Ken Zitko took this big 7-foot plus bear on Alaska Hunt BL957. Lew Shanks and Andy McDonald with Lew s off colored British Columbia bear. 18 Send All Deposits To Hunting Consultants Unlimited www.besthunts.net