In all the nine years that BookYourHunt.com is offering hunting trips all over the world, we haven’t received so many positive reviews as after this year’s spring black bear season in Canada.
Canadian outfitters had to do without their American clients for a few years, due to travel bans during the COVID pandemics. In 2023, as things were returning to normal, we expected a great season, and it wasn’t a bad one altogether. But if you look at the reviews we’re getting about this spring season, it sounds like it may be the best one ever!
Big bears, bears with a bow, bears with a rifle, color phase bears, first bears for several young hunters, many hunts described as “best of my life so far”, the reviews are simply outstanding. In fact, although some hunters did have something to complain about in the “What I didn’t like” section, there wasn’t a single bad review! Read our selection and enjoy.
“100% my favorite hunting trip I’ve ever gone on and I have over 200 animals with my bow. I’ve never experienced anything like it. With most new hunting trips and outfitters, you’re slightly hesitant about what you’re getting into, but with Embarrass River outfitters it was truly “come as a client, leave as a friend.
The bears were plentiful. On a 7 day trip I sat only 3 times, saw about 50 bears and bowed a huge brown phase color bear with my compound and then a juicy black one with my recurve. The food was amazing and the starlink/campfire set up with a TV mounted on a tree is unlike anything I’ve ever done. You fly into a runway in the middle of nowhere made during WWII and are just constantly having a good time.
The guides were out of their way, amazing as well. They brought golf clubs, which you can smack golf balls down the runway, and throwing axes. It was the best 7 1/2 days I could have asked for”
Greg, about Embarras River Outfitters, Alberta.
“I just completed my hunt with the owner of Mossy Ridge Outfitters, Travis Vreeling, and I’m 100% satisfied. Throughout the hunt Travis demonstrated exceptional hunting tactics and his knowledge of the terrain. It was quite obvious that he spent many hours scouting the areas that we were hunting. During our 6 day hunt, my brother and I saw approximately 25-30 bears of all sizes and harvested 2 very nice bears each. The accommodations were very comfortable and the food was delicious. I felt good spending my hard earned money with Travis as he is a genuine salt of the earth kind of guy.”
Stuart, about Mossy Ridge Outfitting, Alberta
The bears seem to be not only numerous, but also big, although some of the numbers are hard to take on face value:
“Put it this way, there wasn’t anything I didn’t like. The biggest bear they have ever shot happened, which was good to see – 8’5”.”
Barry, about hunt with Trail End Camp and Outfitters, Manitoba.
Are you sure there’s not a misprint, Barry? Other hunters mention more realistic, if respectable, figures of 6 feet plus, including one harvested by a very young hunter, but of that below. However, while size matters, it’s not the only thing that matters.
What do Hunters Like about Outfitters?
Hardworking guides, hospitality, respectful attitude, as well as quality food and lodging, and of course good populations of game animals – that’s what most reviewers point out.
“Outfitter looks after you and respected what I was chasing. Good guide, great hospitality. Solid set up.”
Dan, about Tower Lodge Outfitting, Saskatchewan.
“Guides worked really hard to help everyone get a bear. Food was excellent. Great fishing was also available.”
Brad, about Clearwater Outfitters, Manitoba.
“The entire outfit was well run, the game was scouted and understood, all staff was friendly. Great food and lodging! 10/10 would recommend.”
William about Stillar’s Western Outfitters, Saskatchewan.
“Kim and Chad do their best to provide an unforgettable hunting experience. And thanks to their hard work, they are successful. The food from Diana was excellent. Big kudos to my guide Cody. Everything was perfect.”
Sara about Larson Lake Outfitters, Saskatchewan.
“Paul and his guides are awesome. They know what they are doing and are fun to hang with. We tagged out early and were able to enjoy a few days around camp. Amazing hunting experience and very kind folks.”
Chris, about Inzana Outfitters, British Columbia.
Start Them Young: Introducing the New Generation to Hunting
Several of our clients brought their children for the hunt, to introduce them to the great outdoor tradition. We won’t be surprised if the kids get hooked for life as the result:
“I took my son for his 8th grade graduation trip. He wanted to go bear hunting. We felt very well taken care of. The cabin and beds were comfortable, the food was amazing, nice, warm showers, beautiful scenery. We felt like we were part of the family. We saw a lot of bears, and I think he would have been able to get at least one bear doing the spot and stalk method, if he was more experienced. He was able to shoot two bears, both using the hound dogs.”
Mark, about Whiteswan Lake Outfitters, British Columbia.
“My 13 year-old son and I did a spring black bear hunt with Ram Creek Outfitters in May 2024. I immediately felt like we were hunting with a long-time friend and not an outfitter / guide. The entire hunt was absolutely wonderful! The cabins were rustic, warm and comfortable. Food was great, home cooked and plentiful.
This was my first guided trip outside of Africa and was everything that I wanted. Hunting was truly free range, fair chase and felt like I was hunting at home in Idaho and Montana with the added bonus of seeing new country and not having to worry about all the details. We only had to concentrate on hunting and let Steven, Stefanie and their crew worry about everything else.
This area was loaded with game. I cannot count the number of deer (muleys and whitetail) we saw, along with plenty of elk, bears (black and grizzly), moose and sheep. My son shot a beautiful bear about half way through the 7-day hunt. It had everything one could ask for: size (6’3″), beautiful color phase and excellent quality hide.
If you are looking for a real hunting experience, I cannot recommend Ram Creek Outfitters more highly. The quality of the camp and food was excellent. Quantity and quality of game was great and Steven was a pleasure to be around. I hope to hunt with Steven again in the near future.”
Brian, about Ram Creek Outfitters, British Columbia
Repeat Clients
It’s a common maxim in business that the true measure of success are the clients that come back to you, time and again. That means you’re doing it right – and there was no lack of it in the reviews.
“Two bears in two years. This was my second year in a row going on a bear hunt here and they delivered again! Big bears, great fishing, wonderful hospitality, and a lot of fun!”
Andrew, about Horwood Lake Lodge, Ontario.
And as far as BookYourHunt.com is concerned, many clients are returning to our website to book their hunts again and again, too.
“The fifth time using BookYourHunt.com to find an outfitter, and this was the best! Everything was great with the outfitter Brock, his staff, game quantity and quality. The meals were top notch delicious. First night I saw 6 bears & enjoyed watching 3 black bears come right up to the bait. Third evening I notched my tag.
I brought back home a nice bear and am happy it is at the taxidermist. We caught several fish from the lake and they were added to our dinner meal. Thank you Brock & staff for a memorable week & wonderful hunting experience.”
Scott, about Northern Echo Lodge, Saskatchewan.
And lots of hunters voice their intention to do it again:
“Allen and his guides were top notch people. Very hospitable and great hunters. Our group is looking forward to the next time we can get out with and hunt with them again.”
Matthew, about Chilanko Forks Outfitters, British Columbia.
“I plan to go back as it was possibly the best guided hunt I’ve been on. Dale, Rose Marie and their sons provided great conversation and a trip I want to do again. Can’t say enough good things about this crew! 350,000 acres of hunting area!”
Anthony, about Bear Country Outfitters, Saskatchewan
Was there anything that they didn’t like?
Well, of course. Even though, as mentioned, we haven’t received a single bad review from the 2024 black bear season so far, all things can’t be perfect all the time.
“The weather did not cooperate with us for the first few days, but this is completely out of anyone’s control. Steven remained dedicated and optimistic the entire trip, even when the rain was making it tough”
Brian, about Ram Creek Outfitters, British Columbia.
We have already looked into the causes of hunters’ dissatisfaction (click here to read the blog), and most of our clients fitted the pattern. “Having to leave” tops the list, as well as “gaining weight because of all the good food”. Warning – looks like bear lodges are especially threatening to weight watchers!
“Didn’t like that the stay had to come to an end, and that I gained 10 lbs from the good eats” –
Scott, about Northern Echo Lodge, Saskatchewan.
And even when the hunting is be good, there may be other areas where the trip could be more perfect.
“What I liked: Amount of bears. What I didn’t like: Would have liked to got more fishing in”
Robert about Northern Echo Lodge. Saskatchewan
Robert ist obviously keen on fishing, as on the review photos he’s proudly posing not only with the bear, but also with a respectable northern pike.
In Canada, black bear hunting and fishing are two outdoor pursuit that come together like toast and peanut butter. However, balancing the interests of hunting and fishing in the course of one trip is not an easy task. In fact, we dedicated one of our blogs to this topic (click here to read it). Serious fishing enthusiasts who want to focus on catching the scaly underwater things may be better advised to book a dedicated fishing trip – on our sister website BaitYourHook.com.
Most hunters wisely don’t let minor misunderstandings ruin the whole experience:
“A couple of time mix ups in booking early on, as for the time differences. Otherwise it was a well run and organized trip like a well oiled machine. As a hunter I was well pleased. A very enjoyable hunt and experience”.
Barry, about Trail End Camp and Outfitters, Manitoba
Seriously though, everyone has different expectations and opinions on how their hunts should go, and we often see things that many people would list as “disadvantages” coming under the “What I liked” category, too. For example:
“This is a remote bear camp, little cell service, no distractions, which made for an extremely relaxing and enjoyable hunt.”
Anthony, about Bear Country Outfitters, Saskatchewan.
But that’s why BookYourHunt.com reviews exist! It help you to find just the right kind of hunt for you – whether you want to hunt over bait or hounds, with a rifle or bow, with a TV on a tree or completely out of the grid. And we strive to deliver each hunter and huntress just the experience they are looking for.
First Hunting Experience – with BookYourHunt.com!
BookYourHunt.com is there to serve all hunters, and all legal hunting preferences. Whatever color, gender, age, nation, etc. you are, you get the same service from us, and we do our absolute best to make our online marketplace work for you. But among our consumer groups there’s one that, though small, has a special significance to us: it’s the first time hunters. CONTINUE READING
