Allagash Bear Hunt

[dbHunterNY]

Going up into the Allagash way up in northern Maine to hunt black bear. Likely stick to rifle and not bring the bow. Sounds like the outfitter not setup for bowhunters as well. Despite I've gotten them on trail cam and there's more each year around here in eastern NY, I have yet to see one. Just not as prevalent. Trip starts opening day, the week before Labor day.

[Skillet]

Good luck!

I killed two bears up around Shin Pond, Maine. Back in 2000-2001. 

It was a great time. Both hunts, I scored on opening day.

You made the right call going the first week. 

Bring your thermacell. 

[BizCT]

Good luck! Post lots of stories and pics


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[mowin]

3 hours ago, dbHunterNY said:

Going up into the Allagash way up in northern Maine to hunt black bear. Likely stick to rifle and not bring the bow. Sounds like the outfitter not setup for bowhunters as well. Despite I've gotten them on trail cam and there's more each year around here in eastern NY, I have yet to see one. Just not as prevalent. Trip starts opening day, the week before Labor day.

I've taken two in Maine. First was with a outfitter, we hunted out of Escort Station. The second I hunted with a buddy of mine who set up the bait sites.  Fun times. 

[mowin]

3 hours ago, Skillet said:

Good luck!

I killed two bears up around Shin Pond, Maine. Back in 2000-2001. 

It was a great time. Both hunts, I scored on opening day.

You made the right call going the first week. 

Bring your thermacell. 

Shin pond pub... Oh the stories... 

[dbHunterNY]

I've taken two in Maine. First was with a outfitter, we hunted out of Escort Station. The second I hunted with a buddy of mine who set up the bait sites.  Fun times. 

Escort station is up there for sure. Ill be right next door to the SSE.

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[dbHunterNY]

Good luck! Post lots of stories and pics


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Not much at all for service. Likely post stuff when I get back.

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[dbHunterNY]

So none of my 30-06 rifles shoot a that well with Hornady eldx ammo despite I've gotten that ammo to shoot great in other rifles. Switched back to federal fusion (bonded) 150gr for this bear hunt. Got it dialed in dead on at 50 yards and real close to 200 yards for a zero. Pic is last shot at 50 yards.

Wanting to bring a safe queen Remington 742 that was my grandfathers but it didn't shoot well with either of that ammo. Another trip to the range to dial in a backup 7mm-08 or see if the 742 will like green box core-lokts i have for my dad's gun better.

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[Judoka95]

1 hour ago, dbHunterNY said:

So none of my 30-06 rifles shoot a that well with Hornady eldx ammo despite I've gotten that ammo to shoot great in other rifles. Switched back to federal fusion (bonded) 150gr for this bear hunt. Got it dialed in dead on at 50 yards and real close to 200 yards for a zero. Pic is last shot at 50 yards.

Wanting to bring a safe queen Remington 742 that was my grandfathers but it didn't shoot well with either of that ammo. Another trip to the range to dial in a backup 7mm-08 or see if the 742 will like green box core-lokts i have for my dad's gun better.

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I have a 724 Woodmaster and I use Winchester Supreme ballistic silver tips in it and I have not had an issue. I thought I was the only person on this forum who would admit to using a 742

[518BowSlayer]

Good idea bringing a backup rifle. Wish I'd thought of that when I went to Maine for my moose. Rained like hell on opening day and ruined my cheap Bushnell scope. I ended up just using my guide's gun so it all worked out but it's always good to have a backup

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[G-Man]

On 7/19/2022 at 4:07 PM, dbHunterNY said:

Going up into the Allagash way up in northern Maine to hunt black bear. Likely stick to rifle and not bring the bow. Sounds like the outfitter not setup for bowhunters as well. Despite I've gotten them on trail cam and there's more each year around here in eastern NY, I have yet to see one. Just not as prevalent. Trip starts opening day, the week before Labor day.

Good luck .its not they are not as prevalent.  You can't bait here.. bear are lazy and will go great distances  for a free meal. 

[dbHunterNY]

Good idea bringing a backup rifle. Wish I'd thought of that when I went to Maine for my moose. Rained like hell on opening day and ruined my cheap Bushnell scope. I ended up just using my guide's gun so it all worked out but it's always good to have a backup

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Definitely. Bringing a remington woodsmaster 742 for fair weather and nostalgia. Also bringing my browning abolt that's normally my primary hunting rifle. Both 30-06.

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[mowin]

Why not bring your bow for the first couple days. Got both mine with the bow, it definitely adds to the excitement.  

[dbHunterNY]

Good luck .its not they are not as prevalent.  You can't bait here.. bear are lazy and will go great distances  for a free meal. 

Definitely go far for a free meal. Hell they can smell it from the next county over. I've hunted deer over bait twice which hasn't impressed me. Both times I was better off ditching the pile of bait. It'll be a different experience which is why I'm doing it. You might be right about numbers. I just read that Maine has over twice as many bear taken compared to NY in a season is all. Pretty dependent on natural food available each season though. This year being a drought I'm thinking bears should be hitting bait pretty hard. I have my reservations about big bears being more visible because of that though.

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[dbHunterNY]

Why not bring your bow for the first couple days. Got both mine with the bow, it definitely adds to the excitement.  

It's been on my mind this whole time. I'm a bowhunter first. I have my grandfathers gun though that recently passed. Before he did its always sat in the safe, but now I'm pretty set on using it.

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[G-Man]

52 minutes ago, dbHunterNY said:

Definitely go far for a free meal. Hell they can smell it from the next county over. I've hunted deer over bait twice which hasn't impressed me. Both times I was better off ditching the pile of bait. It'll be a different experience which is why I'm doing it. You might be right about numbers. I just read that Maine has over twice as many bear taken compared to NY in a season is all. Pretty dependent on natural food available each season though. This year being a drought I'm thinking bears should be hitting bait pretty hard. I have my reservations about big bears being more visible because of that though.

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I use to go to new Brunswick for bear..  bait for bear is  best and most effective way to get one..  the bear  ive taken in ny are on trail and incidental during deer season.. if  i could bait  i could consistantly know when a bear was here vs trail cam photos about every 2 weeks.. and try and guess day its coming back thru. 

[Daveboone]

Have a great time! I love bear hunting...been up to New Brunswick spring bait hunting half a dozen times, gotten five bears.

It shouldnt be as bad as spring bear for bugs, but plan on them still being real bad! I would bring a bug suit if you have one, head net and light leather gloves and a roll of duct tape if you dont (tape up all seams , boots to pants, glove to sleave, etc....not joking! ...or a thermocell, just in case. Have patience when you see one...they all look big in the woods.  And sit still....like a rock! Many stand sites are in the same spot for literally decades, and the bears know they are there. 

[dbHunterNY]

So it was hot 80-90 degree heat. Aroostook County in Maine had the worst season in 20+ years. Typically they down 250+ bears the first week of the baiting season and they were only at 50 something checked according to wildlife staff reports. The county is 6,800+ sq miles big!

My hunt went better than half the others in camp as I at least saw bears. Nothing for me as whatever cam in was either a sow or cub. No boars. One guy in camp of 14 hunters did take a 185lb sow that was dried up and therefore fair game.

Saw lots of moose. Both cows and bulls. I got busted by one deer and also saw lots of Grouse and woodcock.

Great trip though. We did some canoeing and kayaking down the allagash and st John rivers. Huge 40+" muskie. Shouldve ponied up for fishing license.

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[dbHunterNY]

Crazy how deep we were. driving 1-2 hours into "northwoods". Then after you hear your guide drive off on the distance it's crazy silent. At times the ringing in your ears is louder than anything else.


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[BizCT]

Damn. At least you had fun. Weather is so unpredictable 

[mowin]

I seen tons a grouse on my trips too. Then I was told that a good portion of those were actually spruce grouse and are protected. 

Glad you had a good time. Hot weather definitely keeps movement down.  

[sbuff]

You weren't at north country lodge were you by chance?

[518BowSlayer]

Crazy how deep we were. driving 1-2 hours into "northwoods". Then after you hear your guide drive off on the distance it's crazy silent. At times the ringing in your ears is louder than anything else.


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I know what you mean about the silence. When I went up for my moose hunt the silence was deafening... until the squirrels started acting up... that made me feel at home

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[dbHunterNY]

15 hours ago, 518BowSlayer said:

I know what you mean about the silence. When I went up for my moose hunt the silence was deafening... until the squirrels started acting up... that made me feel at home

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seemed like there were a lot of red squirrels around. all i heard most of the time.

[dbHunterNY]

19 hours ago, sbuff said:

You weren't at north country lodge were you by chance?

nope. i did a google search and i'm not sure they were at all close. we were in allagash, ME up by the canadian border. about a 30 minutes WSW of Fort Kent. Allagash Wildlife Sporting Camps (Bobby Hafford) is were we stayed.