I had been thinking if I didn’t get a bear by the time I turned 60 I would go on a guided bear hunt. Getting a black bear had eluded me; I had seen a few, but was never able to get a shot with my bow or gun. To prepare, I took a friend, who I hoped would go on the hunt, to the Harrisburg NRA Great American Outdoor Show in 2022, met with the various guides and discussed what each had to offer. After the show, I had determined I would like to get my four sons and some friends together for a Maine baited bear hunt that included the youth Saturday (originally three youths would be going). That spring, I did some more research, and started speaking with guides and references. I also lined up the others that I hoped would go with us. That August, I booked a hunt for 10 of us with Maine Blackwater Outfitters for 2024 that would start just after my 60th birthday.
In the intervening two years, a lot transpired. I got a black bear in November 2022 on our hunting property—go figure! The friend I took to the show had health issues and was now in assisted living. The one dad-and-son team had to cancel due to a work obligation. Lastly, my one son in the Air Force was at a new command and could not get leave because his unit was on alert with a two-hour call back. So of the reconstituted 10, we ended up with two 12-year-olds, three of my four sons (one being 12), and five veterans (two of my sons, me and two of our friends). We came from all over—Utah, Connecticut, South Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania and England.
We had a great time! There were three other people in camp with us and they were great company. We all shared stories and laughs at meals and around the fire at night. Of the 13 in camp, everyone but two saw at least one bear and six were taken. From our group of 10 only one person didn’t see a bear and we took four.
While I got a bear, the best part of the trip—besides being together with everyone—was watching the bait with my youngest son. One night we had seen a bear at 6 p.m., but he came and went without going to the bait or offering a clear shot. That got his breathing and heart rate up. However, just over an hour later, at sunset, another bear came in with 30 minutes of shooting time left and even less of good shooting light. This bear was a big one. He came into the bait head-on and was facing us, but my son was not comfortable with a neck shot, so we waited for a broadside shot. He waited and watched the bear for 20 minutes through the scope at 35 yards. While he was settled in behind the scope, he was breathing fast and shaking with bear fever. I put my hand on his shoulder to calm him down, but I am not sure it helped much. He finally said it was too dark for a shot, and I had to agree. Not too long after this was said, I could tell through the binocular the bear had finally turned broadside but couldn’t tell his head from his rear end. So we waited for the guide to come get us and just sat and enjoyed listening to the bear in the bait pile.
A successful hunt doesn’t always mean you get something on the meat pole. The success of the hunt is personal, based on your expectations and what you experienced. And we all had a very successful hunt, great time and experience.
If you haven’t done a guided hunt yet, I would recommend it. This bear hunting trip was one of the most relaxing vacations I have ever had. It had never really clicked that this would be like an all-inclusive hunting resort, where I would have no worries, except for making a safe, ethical shot! The staff, lodging and food was great—no worries about meals or keeping the family busy. We shot clay birds, went fishing, played cards and learned things—some of which you never wanted to know—and of course went bear hunting. I guess that is why one of the other hunters in camp has been going there each year for 12 years and the 10 of us plan on doing it again, real soon! Just remember, what happens at bear camp stays at bear camp.
