• The SH Membership has gone live. Only SH Members have access to post in the classifieds. All members can view the classifieds. Starting in 2020 only SH Members will be admitted to the annual hunting contest. Current members will need to follow these steps to upgrade: 1. Click on your username 2. Click on Account upgrades 3. Choose SH Member and purchase.
  • We've been working hard the past few weeks to come up with some big changes to our vendor policies to meet the changing needs of our community. Please see the new vendor rules here: Vendor Access Area Rules

Ontario Bear Hunt

shmelton

shmelton

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Joined
Jan 5, 2020
Messages
540
I’ve never bear hunted before. I got invited to go to Nestor Falls on a bear hunt. I have no clue what I’m in for. I have been across the CA border since 2004. I need to know what to expect?

What I do know:
-Dates 8-25 thru 8/29
-We are flying into International Falls, MN and driving across.
-Archery hunt

What do I need to know about CA laws, border crossing, clothing etc? Any help, or advice would be appreciated.
 
I have that thank god.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I have flown into Interational falls many times. I am assuming you will fly into Minneanapolis then into IF.
There are very few flights. If you miss your connection, that time of year getting on another plane may be impossible. One time we missed our flight and had to rent a car in Minneanapolis and drive up.
To reduce this chance try and get a direct flight to Minneanapolis and give your self a two or three hour window in case your flight is a little late.

I will be up there Aug 8th.
Weather that time of year can be anything. I have seen 90 and 45.
Crossing the border now is no big deal other then a passport. Declare any excess beer. Be sure to declare your bow. No hand guns. No mace. Bear spray is OK if you declare it and it says for bears on the can.
 
a few thoughts from my last trip.
no guns allowed
Pack for bugs and rain
Temps mild
Tree stands very low < 10ft
Shots very close. I mean in your face close.
bears are very quiet. Listen for their jaws clicking.
When you shoot a bear. Take a compass reading since they don’t usually leave a good blood trail.
Death moans mean a dead bear.
Only thing customs cared about on the return was that we did not have any gall bladders.

Have Fun
 
Did an archery bear in Saskatchewan before. Shot was close as previously stated, 18 yard shot.

Passing through customs both ways with a bow is simple. Firearms are more complicated at the border. When returning to the US, we only had the hides and skulls, passed through without an issue. However, another hunting party that hunted with a different outfitter was crossing the border at the same time. They had all kinds of issues because they tried to bring multiple species back because the outfitter said it was okay. Not sure what the end result for them was because we made it straight through after hearing about 20 minutes of their story while we waited. We were just happy it wasn't us and we brought back what we knew for sure we could, nothing more.

As previously stated, passport made it easy as well.

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk
 
Interested to see what effect the fires going on will have on hunts in the next year or two. Best on your hunt! Let us know how things go for you.
 
Swampwalker said:
Interested to see what effect the fires going on will have on hunts in the next year or two. Best on your hunt! Let us know how things go for you.
Click to expand...

I haven’t read anything on the fires other than Yankee Karen’s whining about smoke, and flight delays…are they prescribed burns smoking up the North East or are they wild fires?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I just returned at the end of June. Going into Canada, they seemed more interested in what we had with us (booze, guns, drugs, etc) and will repeatedly ask the same question in different forms. How do you know the other person(s) in the car with you? Make sure to take multiple thermocells, though I've heard you can't fly with the butane so find a place to pick it up after the flight (we drove the whole way so didn't affect us but others warned me about this).
Return trip, make sure you have your paperwork in place to bring the bear across. They were perfectly fine with us having the meat, hides and skulls. They did make us park and go inside just to rubber stamp our paperwork just so it isn't a surprise to you.

Good luck and post up once you return on the experience.
 
There's also rules against pepper spray in Canada. If you have any questions about any of the items you're planning to travel with - including bear parts - call the International Falls Port of Entry (USA) or Ft. Frances Port of Entry (CAN).
 
Gator said:
I just returned at the end of June. Going into Canada, they seemed more interested in what we had with us (booze, guns, drugs, etc) and will repeatedly ask the same question in different forms. How do you know the other person(s) in the car with you? Make sure to take multiple thermocells, though I've heard you can't fly with the butane so find a place to pick it up after the flight (we drove the whole way so didn't affect us but others warned me about this).
Return trip, make sure you have your paperwork in place to bring the bear across. They were perfectly fine with us having the meat, hides and skulls. They did make us park and go inside just to rubber stamp our paperwork just so it isn't a surprise to you.

Good luck and post up once you return on the experience.
Click to expand...

Has anyone tried the rechargeable thermocells yet? Are they worth the $50?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top