Any non-resident bear hunter who has an existing Ontario hunting outdoor card can purchase a bear hunting licence online. Click Here. We do not sell bear hunting licences at the lodge. You can purchase them on-line or purchase them on the way up either at Tunnel Lake Trading post on Hwy 129 from Thessalon or Sault Trading Post on Great Northern Road if they are coming via 17 and 101 from Wawa.
We are now booking for the 2025 spring bear hunt.
(May 24th - May 31st BOOKED), (May 31st-June 7th).
2024 success rate was 85%
2023 success rate was 90%
Ontario has the highest population of Black Bears in the world. The greatest concentration of Black Bears in Ontario is in the Chapleau region. Chapleau has been called the Black Bear Capital of Canada for many years and the reputation is justified. There are four main reasons why we have so many Black Bears.
First, the Chapleau area has a diverse landscape with many streams, rivers and lakes all located on typical Canadian Shield landscape. The rocky landscape produces the perfect environment for wild Blueberries, Strawberries and Raspberries to grow in great quantities. Berries are a staple diet of the bears. There is also selective logging. The logged areas open up new growth that produce grasses that the bears need to eat in order to keep digestive enzymes in balance and aid digestion. This is crucial to their overall health and longevity. Second, since the fall of the fur trade we have seen an amazing rebound in the populations of critters that the Black Bears like to eat. At the top of the list is Beavers, which is a bear's top source of meat. Third, the area has thousands of naturally occurring den sites. A good area to den in the winter reduces the mortality rate for both adult bears and cubs. Finally and most of all, we are next to the Chapleau Crown Game Preserve.
The Chapleau Crown Game Preserve is the largest Crown game preserve in the world with over 2,000,000 acres of protected land where no hunting is allowed. The preserve is a Black Bear manufacturing machine. The amount of hunting that takes place at our lodge and other lodges in the area does not even put a dent in the bear population. As soon as guests harvest a Black Bear another takes its place within hours. This is why the sighting rate of our hunting guests is well over 100%. Most hunters will see multiple bears. Guests who have hunted with us for a long time generally pass on smaller Black Bears and wait for the big males to come into the target zone. Because of this we do not achieve a 100% harvest rate every year. It's usually between 75% and up.
With such a high population of Black Bears just about every possible size can be seen. Most Black Bears range from 150 to 300 pounds. On occasion bears in the 400 pound range are harvested. There is always the chance for a super bear. Chapleau is home to the largest Black Bear ever recorded in Ontario. In 2010 a 1000 pound Black Bear was hit and killed by a logging truck on highway 101 about 20 miles west of our lodge. We don't want you to think you will ever see a bear that big but it sure is fun to dream.
In Ontario you can hunt with a bow, crossbow, rifle, muzzleloader or shotgun. You cannot hunt with a hand gun. By law in Ontario bows have to be a minimum 50lbs. Shotguns need a 50 caliber pellet. A rifle should be a 207 or bigger. Muzzleloaders should use a minimum of 100 grains within 25 yards of a bear.
Black Bear hunting is an exercise in stealth and patience. You are hunting an animal that can smell 700 times better than a Bloodhound. The more invisible you become the greater chance you have at a big trophy bear. The big older bears are smart and have a much better sense of smell than younger bears. Seasoned bear hunters that are fanatical about stealth find more success. Black Bear hunting is a lot of fun, especially for first timers.
Black Bear Hunt Details
Last Year's Bear Hunt Stats & Addition Information (.pdf)
Black Bear Hunting Galleries
Black Bear Hunting Regulations
Hi Roxann,
Unfortunately I did not get to hunt with you this past year, and I don't know when I will be able to make the return trip from Texas for a bear hunt. I heard that all three of the Texas hunters got their bears this past season. That just goes to show how you two have continued to provide an outstanding place for the serious North American hunter every year. My bear rug is on my wall today, and it will always be one of my most-valued trophies.
I hope to get back up to the North Country again in the future. If not, I can assure you that my bear hunt at Moose Horn Lodge in August of 2008 will always be a very pleasant memory. The food was superb--- the accommodations were outstanding---and the bear sets were freshly baited and productive. Thank you for providing a great place for hunters to come each year. May God's blessing always be with you and your family.
Dennis Luton
Elgin, Texas
Dear Roxann,
Thank you so much for helping us have the honeymoon of a Lifetime! Our hunts were amazing, the fishing was great, the lodge and scenery were beautiful and the hunters here were a blast to get to know! We had fun from day one! We are already thinking about coming back in a couple of years for round two! We are also planning on having you cook for us, from what we hear, your meals were spectacular! We will definitely be telling everyone about Moose Horn Lodge and all of the memories we have made here!
Thanks so much for everything and we hope to see you again soon!
Love,
Levi & Melissa Pitford
Roxann
Thank you so much for an incredible week. I have hunted Whitetails all over the US, but I now learned that hunting Black Bear is nothing alike. Thank you for your knowledge and your seemingly tireless support. Weather baiting a site or cooking the most incredible dinners you guys were always there to help.Between this and the cabins I can't think of any better way to spend a week. Thanks again, and by the way, That was the MOST incredible blueberry pie I have ever had. When I tell folks about the hunt, I talk about all the bear I saw but then I give every intimate detail about that bluberry pie. Hope to see you again next year and God Bless
Frank
Roxann,
I thank you for the great hunts. I have hunted bear at Moosehorn Lodge with Roxann and Doug three times and each time was great. If anyone is interested in hunting black bear, then I would recommend that you hunt with Roxann and doug. Each time I hunted I saw a good black bear. The accommodations are great and do not skip eating dinner with Roxann, it is always great. As you see I feel I got a good deal from Roxann and Doug and I highly recommend this hunt to everyone.
Sam Dunkin
Lessons Learned
Last year was my first adventure in hunting black bear. I joined a friend who had previously been to the Moose Horn Lodge and we drove to Chapleau, Canada. Once we arrived, we were guided to our hunting locations and set up our blinds for the hunt. Each day we departed by 2:00 p.m. from the lodge to hunt our location until dark shortly after 9:00 p.m., and then walked the trial back to the main road to be picked up. Each day I sat patiently at the bait sight waiting to encounter a black bear. Everyone else was having success in seeing and harvesting a black bear and I listened to their stories and sought their wisdom. I learned that that you have to remain still and that you will not hear the black bear as they approach, they just show up. If they get spooked they will probably return.
Each day, I sat quietly in my blind 14 yards from the bait sight hoping to harvest a black bear with my bow and arrow. Nothing seemed to be working. The bear were not coming to my bait site. Doug continued adding bait each day and I was encouraged to hang in there. On the last day of the hunt, I sat quietly. As the hours passed by, I began to doubt that I was going to see a bear. With 10 minutes left of hunting light, I gave up. I removed my release, put the arrow in the quiver, and placed my bow in the soft sided case. I began to zip the case close and looked up and saw a large boar (male bear) 25 yards from me. With my heart pounding, I hurriedly got the archery equipment back out of the case. By the time I was ready; the bear had approached to 14 yards and was standing next to the bait site, facing my direction, cautiously sniffing the air. I waited for the bear to turn towards the bait and was going to draw once it stopped at the bait. He turned and passed behind the bait, quickly disappearing into the woods. The last five minutes of my hunt I waited for him to return. My hunting buddy arrived and signaled for me. I gathered my belongings and departed. I learned that you need to have confidence in your hunting location and never give up hunting until it is time to leave.
I returned this year with excitement. On the way to the lodge, we spotted several bears. Doug guided us to our hunting locations and we set up our blinds. The bait sites had already been hit at each of our hunting locations. On the third day, I experienced a close encounter of the furry kind. A large boar (male bear) approached my blind from behind to check me out. When I began moving slightly he quickly ran away and returned immediately back to the bait sight that was 14 yards away. As he stood sideways at the bait, I drew back and placed the arrow behind his front leg for a double-lung shot. He ran twenty yards and dropped. There laid my first black bear; a seven foot - 300 pound bruin. What a trophy.
Thank you Roxann for hosting a memorable hunting experience. I would greatly recommend this hunt to anyone interested in a black bear hunt. The accommodations and meals are excellent.
In Christ's Service
Keith Mack - Fort Worth, Texas
"Very warm & friendly welcoming. The accommodations had everything needed for preparing your own meals. Doug had worked very hard in baiting the bears in which I had seen plenty on the bait stands which in turn made my hunt successful. I hope to return to Moose Horn Lodge next year for hunting bear.
Thanks Roxann for the great time.
Chad Mills
Benzonia, Mi
Roxann
I have been a guide and outfitter---and have been in many hunting camps over the years---and I have never seen any outfitter treat hunters with more respect and with such genuine care for the success of the hunt. The bait stands were freshened every day, and the dinners at night were superb. My hunt at Moosehunt Lodge was the fulfillment of a dream that I have had for many years---to take a mature bear with my bow. A hearty thanks to you and Doug for your hospitality and very hard work that made this the best hunt of my life!
Dennis Luton
Elgin, Texas
Dear Roxann
Just writing to let you know how much my son and I enjoyed our Bear Hunt. It was his first time to Canada, and first bear hunt so I was really glad that he got a bear the second day of our hunt. Since I had already gotten my bear the first day, it made for a memorable experience for both of us. Your accomodations are top notch and being able to fish after getting our bears finished out a great week for both of us. Also, the nightly food Roxann prepared was tasty and plentiful. Thanks again for a great hunt and lasting memories. If any future possible clients have any questions please feel free to contact me anytime, and I will respond promptly.
Sincerely
Doug & Greg Ferrell
Dear Roxann,
My name is Bruce Goldammer and I stopped into your office last week to find out about your bear packages and moose. Thank you for your enthusiastic professionalism. I was one of 2 guys that were hunting with another local outfitter. You were nice enough to give me some good bear hunting knowledge regarding when we should be in the stand. I followed your advice and the last night we got a nice boar that weighed around 225 lbs. The next time I want to hunt bear you will be the outfitter I contact. Maybe even moose! I was completely impressed with your knowledge, friendliness, facilities and tremendous success with your hunters which is evident by your repeat customers.
Thanks again for taking the time to talk to me and it looks like you have a beautiful place to hunt and enjoy the Canadian wilderness. I will be keeping your information for future use and will pass it on to my hunting buddies. Have a great Fall moose hunt and I hope to see you in the future!
Sincerely,
Bruce Goldammer
Roxann,
This was the first bear hunt my son Jeremy and I had been on, and we wanted to use bow and arrow. We had to trust that you would provide us with good accomodations and a great place to hunt bears. You delivered in Spades, my son seen 4-6 different bears at his bait site. I did not see any bears in 4 days ( bears were hitting the bait at night)and Doug moved me to a different site. On the fifth night of our hunt we both were fortunate to kill very nice bears. You are very knowledgeable of the bears and gave us very good instructions to have a successful hunt. I have been telling all my hunting buddies about your Lodge and we will be seeing you again to hunt bear. Please feel free to use me for a reference. Thank you for an awesome hunt, a wonderful place to stay, and lasting memories!
Dana & Jeremy Mellgren
PS-the bear meat is delicious, we slow cooked the roasts and stew meat.
Roxann,
We had a great time at the hunt last week. 2 of the 4 of us took bears. However John only saw one 5 minutes into the 1st hunt and that was it. And my dad hit one on the 2nd day but we couldn't recover it. At least everyone did see an animal. The cottage was all we needed and then some. I have to say Doug is much better at baiting and much more knowledgeable about bears than previous lodges we have been to. I've attached some of my favorite pictures. Thanks for putting on a good hunt.
Travis
Roxann:
We had a great time. It would have been nice if everyone had a shot at a bear, but 4/6 ain't bad. That's the way hunting goes. At least, we were 4/4 on shooting with no wounds. I had given everyone the exact same pictures you gave us several weeks before leaving. I had been stressing for months to wait for the right shot. Two of the guys watched their bears for 30 min before shooting. I did not want us to wound any bears. The accommodations worked out great for us. I found that I am not a very good fisherman. The scenery was beautiful. It is no fun being back at home working 80hrs a week again. All the guys had positive comments. We will certainly give a positive recommendation. I have already had two of my friends ask me if I am going back because they want to go next time. Again, thanks for a great week.
Craig
Roxann,
I just want to thank you for all your hard work and efforts at Moose Horn. The hunting and fishing was superb in both quantity and quality. Even though we didn't get a chance to sit by the fire as much as I would like, I still enjoyed the conversations we had.
Thanks for helping me fulfill two of my dreams (harvesting a Bear and landing a Northern Pike).
My stay will never be forgotten and I hope to visit you again.
I talked to my day about "Harvey" and he believes his last name was McCloud??? He hunted and fished Tunnel Lake among others in the area back in the late 1960's into the 1970's. Please let me know if this is the same Harvey.
Thanks again,
Walt Wlodarsky
Roxann
I wanted to thank you for a wonderful 1st time black bear hunting experience. Your country is beautiful and I look forward to visiting again soon.
Enclosed is a copy of the video for you of the big bear I was fortunate to have come in on my last night. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to bring him home but I can't wait to come back for another try.
The bear comes in on the video at about 4 minutes and my accidental punching of my release trigger takes place at around the 20 minute mark. People I have shown the video to can't believe how big he actually was.
Again, thanks for the memories,
Sincerely
Ed Herran
