Bear Talk

Ethical hunters, anglers, trappers and outfitters have a strong interest in conservation. Without a doubt, these folks spend the largest amount of time and money ensuring the resources are sustainable. After all, without the resources, their businesses would fail, and their way of life would not exist.

Outfitters were first outdoorsmen with a passion to be in the wilderness, exercise their right to hunt or fish and in many cases carry on a legacy passed on for many generations. They now contribute to the economy, create local jobs, carry on family businesses, do something they love and be a part of the sustainable management of our resources. We’re proud to be a part of this group and represent what professional outfitting looks like here in Manitoba.

Bears, like wolves, do not have a natural predator and will often have up to 3 cubs. Thus, there population can rise very quickly and without human involvement to manage the resource, the entire food chain can be upset. With expanding cities, communities and human populations, gone are the days of wildlife living with populations unmanaged.

Common concerns when bear numbers rise:

• increased human-bear interactions often reported by hikers and bikers
• property damage to cottage owners and rural communities
• predation on livestock
• significant crop damage
• Moose calf predation – this is just what bears do, as they should; however, balance in all things is important and with the health of the moose population a concern, high bear numbers pose a significant threat

No. It is illegal to harvest a sow with cubs, which is logical and welcomed by hunters and outfitters. As with most species and seasons, the goal is typically to harvest a mature animal, in this case a mature boar. Doing so, leaves the younger breeding males and the reproductive females to ensure a sustainable, healthy population. New cubs will be very small, typically 5-15 pounds in the Spring and will be very near their mother. If she feels threatened or gives them permission to play, she may send them up a nearby tree, but otherwise you will see them at her side. Once they get to be yearlings, they will tend to get pushed off by boars as she is coming into estrus. They will then be forced off to live on their own.

Outfitters look to set up their bait sites far away from any risk of human contact. It’s certainly the safest thing to do, but it also increases the odds of a successful hunt and a mature bear harvest. Hunting at a bait site by no means ensures a hunter will see a mature boar, however. We can assure you it’s not like shaking a pail of oats to your horses and the big guys just show up.
Baited hunts allow the hunter to ensure it is not a sow with cubs, properly judge the maturity of the bear and make an ethical shot. Research has also shown that large males exhibit behaviors in the Spring, such as cannibalism, that contribute to cub orphaning and mortality. Utilizing baited hunts to target these mature boars has the potential to help reduce these occurrences.

Outfitters look to set up their bait sites far away from any risk of human contact. It’s certainly the safest thing to do, but it also increases the odds of a successful hunt and a mature bear harvest. Hunting at a bait site by no means ensures a hunter will see a mature boar, however. We can assure you it’s not like shaking a pail of oats to your horses and the big guys just show up.
Baited hunts allow the hunter to ensure it is not a sow with cubs, properly judge the maturity of the bear and make an ethical shot. Research has also shown that large males exhibit behaviors in the Spring, such as cannibalism, that contribute to cub orphaning and mortality. Utilizing baited hunts to target these mature boars has the potential to help reduce these occurrences.

Yes! We trim all the fat, render it down and store in glass jars in the freezer. Once opened, it is kept in the fridge to keep it firm. Bear fat has a significantly longer shelf life than other oils. We use it for cooking, baking, skin moisturization and any skin irritations that arise. It’s also a great leather conditioner.