With numbers estimated at 75,000 to 100,000, Ontario has one of the largest black bear populations in North America. Black bears are distributed widely across northern and central Ontario, with a range that extends into southern Ontario’s lush Great Lakes-St. Lawrence forest region.
In all units with a bear season, hunting is open to both residents and non- residents. During the time of the hunt, bears are eating to accumulate body fat necessary to carry them through winter. Baiting can be a particularly successful hunting method, with the hunter in a tree stand or in a ground blind. We continuously keep the bait pits well stocked with “goodies” for the bear.
Spring Black Bear
Semi-Guided Hunt
Our semi-guided spring black bear hunts are run from both our remote fishing outposts on Pipestone Lake as boat-to-destinations and from main land lodge site North of Emo, Ontario. Typically, we plan to have our guests hunt in the evening, making for great opportunities to take advantage of some of the awesome fishing on the surrounding lakes and the beautiful scenery. Border Country Outfitters will establish and provide the following for your hunt:
– lodging accommodations
– bait sites
– pre-baiting several weeks in advance to your hunt
– trail cameras will be run during the pre-baiting
– erected stands
– bait for duration of your hunt
– bear validation paperwork
– current Ontario Hunting and Fishing Regulations
Upon your arrival, we will escort you and your party to all remote location(s), show you the bait sites to hunt and any fishing locations to mark on your GPS.
Available from May 1 – June 15
6 Day Semi Guided Hung – Call for pricing
Hunters are responsible for the following:
– Ontario Outdoors Card and Ontario Bear License
– food
– cooking
– transportation to and from stand sites (boat for outposts on lakes; ATV-truck for main lodge)
– GPS
– satellite communications (for outposts on lakes)
– trail cameras for duration of your hunt
– baiting stand sites for duration of your hunt
*Border Country Outfitters has rental boats and satellite communication devices available for
additional fees.
Fall Black Bear
Fully-Guided Hunt
Our fully-guided fall black bear hunts are run solely from our newly renovated, main hunting lodge. All bait sites are strategically located within close proximity to the lodge. Upon arrival, Border Country Outfitters looks after everything for you during your stay. All of our baited sites are equipped with 17’ ladder stands in dense forested areas along highly travelled bear runways within our four bear management areas (about 1000 square miles). Our stands provide opportunities of success within ranges of 20-50 yards from the bait. Hunters can utilize archery, muzzle loader or rifle for their harvest.
Available from August 15 – 31
6 Day Fully Guided Bear Hunt – Call for pricing
Hunters are responsible for the following:
– Ontario Outdoors Card and Ontario Bear License
– Eating great food, relaxing, shooting straight, sharing hunting stories at camp, seeing lots of bears and making life-long friendships during your Northwestern Ontario Bear Hunt with us at Border Country Outfitters. Typically, we plan to have our guests hunt in the evening, making for great opportunities to take advantage of some of the awesome fishing on the surrounding lakes and the beautiful scenery. Arrangements can be made with Border Country Outfitters for an additional cost.
Hunting Region
We hunt 4 bear management areas that total over 1000 square miles. This is an exclusive area for Border Country Outfitters as it is strictly managed for quality bears. The Rainy River District is famous for big, mature bears and unique colour phases of the black bear. Each year there are several Pope and Young bears harvested, and there is a good chance to harvest a Boone and Crockett bear. Come and take a trip fo the lifetime and be a part of this great experience.
Hunter orange
All licensed hunters, including bow hunters, falconers, bear hunters, and trappers who are hunting under their trapping licence during a gun season for deer, elk or moose, are required to wear hunter orange. This requirement does not apply to persons who are hunting migratory game birds, except woodcock.
In addition, all licensed bear hunters hunting during the open season for black bear, that is not a gun season for deer, elk or moose, are required to wear hunter orange except when in a tree stand.
A hunter orange garment and head cover must be worn. The hunter orange garment must cover a minimum of 2,580 square centimetres (400 square inches) above the waist and be visible from all sides. Open mesh or camouflage hunter orange must not be part of the 2,580 square centimetres (400 square inches). A hunting coat or vest generally meets this requirement. The hunter orange head cover may have: open mesh, a peak or brim colour other than hunter orange, and a crest or logo which does not completely cover the hunter orange on the side where it is affixed. The head cover must not contain camouflage material.
Hunters using ground blinds should take steps to make their blind clearly visible to other hunters who may be in the area. Use of hunter orange material on the outside of the blind is an appropriate method to mark a ground blind.
Ontario Black Bear Hunting – Gear List
Here is a list of equipment and clothing you may want to bring along to Border County Outfitters. If you are hunting bear, we can have a wide range of temperatures in the same week so we strongly suggest that you come here prepared.
- Light Weight Camo
(predominately green patterns) - Bug Suit
- Head Net
- Rubber Boots
- Light Gloves
- Wind Proof
and Water Proof Over Pants - Waterproof Over Jacket
- Weapon of Choice
- Ammo or Arrows
- Hunting Knife
- Multi-Tool
- Flashlight
- Emergency Kit that includes First Aid and Fire Starter
- Binoculars
- Compass
- Two Way Radio
- Cell Phone if you have access to one (we advise that you access a Canadian plan for your trip to Canada)
- Toilet Kit
- Prescriptions and Spare Eye Glasses
- Hat and Face Mask
I have bear hunted three times at Border Outfitters. It is not if you will get a bear but which bear to shot. I saw bear every day. The guides are very helpful. The cooks make some of the best meals I have had real home cooking. You are treated like family with great accommodations. Duane Boysen
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Border Country Bear Hunter
I have bear hunted three times at Border Outfitters. It is not if you will get a bear but which bear to shoot. I saw bear every day. The guides are very helpful. The cooks make some of the best meals I have had real home cooking. You are treated like family
BCO – Pipestone Outpost
Our remote outpost gives you a centrally located base to explore a crystal clear chain of 11 lakes that offers great fishing for walleye, pike, muskie, smallmouth, and even lake trout.
Spring and Fall Ontario Black Bear Hunts
Border Country Outfitters is located in the heart of black bear country in Northwest Ontario. We maintain over 80 baiting locations with options to hunt with firearms or archery on over 20,000 acres of private lands.