I want to state that this has NOTHING to do with any of the outfitters that have been mentioned on this thread; NOTHING. I would like to suggest asking some questions when selecting a outfitter/guide for bear hunting (or any hunting trip) to help make your hunting experience a rewarding hunt. If you are buying the meal plan always ask what is on the menu, who is doing the cooking and ask to see the menu. I suggest that you don't just accept
"home cooked meals"; tater tots, wings and pizza are not home cooked meals (yup been there/done that!). One outfitter gave us a good breakfast, lunch within a couple of hours from breakfast, then gave us a sandwich for our dinner out in the field; and, dessert when we came in from hunting at 8:30-9:30 PM.. My son is allergic to turkey, and was given a turkey sandwich for out in the field; didn't work to well for him. Another outfitter gave us prepared food from CASCO and BJs stores; that's not home-cooked meals. Presently we take the option of preparing our own meals
if it is available. Usually it is $300-500 less than a hunt with the meal plan. We prepare great breakfasts, and make a decent lunch. We bring a number of frozen home cooked meals for dinner, but also bring a large jar of peanut butter and our favorite jellies or jam. Usually by the time we get in from hunting, put all of our gear away in totes and change up we're not really into having a large meal and going to bed; PB&J always works
I have been bear hunting in Maine for many years and have used a few outfitters. I found the most important question to ask is
"what is the hunter to guide ratio". I recommend nothing more that 4-5 hunters per guide. One outfitter that I hunted with had a 15-1 hunter/guide ratio, out of 30+ hunters 7 bear were taken; this was the only year that I did not harvest a bear. The hunter/guide ratio is important because if you are the first one put in to the stand, that means you are the last one picked up. With the 15-1 ratio hunt that I mentioned earlier, I spent one night out until 10:45 PM waiting to be picked up with a 45 minute ride back to camp. Fortunately I had a backpack with snacks and a fleece jacket strapped to the top of the pack; the fleece jacket save my *** that night. There was no phone service, I didn't know if I had been forgotten and had no way to contact anyone; and, I was at least 10-15 miles in the woods, and due to the numerous turns and roads didn't even know where I was. There was a hunter who shot a bear, it went off running in the woods, he decided to go in and track it down, it got dark, the guy got turned around and the
"idiot" got lost. The guides had to find him, and due to the hunter/guide ratio there was no one to come pick my up until he was found.
Other good questions to ask for bear hunting Maine is when the baiting season started for the outfitter (when did the outfitter start his baiting season) it ought to be at least three weeks prior to hunting season, how often are the sites baited (ought to be every day whether the site is used or not), and how many sites are available for hunters; what is the hunter/bait site ratio. Sometimes you will can be put on a site where you have a nocturnal bear that you will never see, it is good to have the option of another site (or no bears hitting the baits). If your site is changed for any reason, a good question to ask is when was the new site last hunter hunted off, and also how when was the new site opened and how often had it been baited since it was opened.
It may not mean too much to some hunters, however asking what the wash room/toilet facilities are like
"might" be a good idea. Doesn't sound like too much until you find a hole in the ground with a tarp over it as a latrine!! Our last outfitter had four outhouses with 30+ guys using them; try getting into an outhouse right after breakfast and three cups of coffee
!!! We were the second week of hunters in, so the place had 30+ guys using them the week before us; nice. We like to shower with Scent-away or DOWNWIND before we go out into the field. Some outfitters will advertise showers, a good question to ask about is how many hunters are going to be sharing facilities is going to be for stuff like showers, again we had 30+ hunters sharing "1" shower; so by mid-week guess what the place looked like? Again knowing how many hunters are going to be in the camp during your week of hunting is important to know. I'd just like to add that we are not primadonna's, we've done our share of primitive camping, it's just that we feel that if we are paying good money (and it's advertised) for a hunt, we ought to be getting what we pay for.
I think that the best way to find a good outfitter is a site like this, or word of mouth from another hunter. I like to hunt with an outfitter who has no more than 8-10 guys for the week if at all possible. It only takes one idiot to spoil a great hunt. Whether we like it, or realize it or not, you're/we're pretty much married to these guys for the week; so....I suggest that you do your research and homework before booking. Asking about additional fees like skinning or processing of meat or hides also is a good question. Sometimes contacting the local game warden for the area you want to hunt in is a good resource; ask if there had/have been any infractions. I've had some great hunts with some great outfitters, my last outfitter went out of business after many years. I can only suggest that if you find a good outfitter stay with him. I hope that this dissertation has provided some good questions and insight about what to look for when booking a bear hunt (or any hunt) with an outfitter.
