This outfitter offers high-quality black bear hunts in northern Alberta and nothing else. He takes no more than 16 black bear hunters a year into a part of the province that gets virtually no hunting pressure from residents, and the only non-residents are his customers. Hunter success is virtually 100 percent with most customers electing to take a second bear. In 2008 he reported taking 10 hunters, who got 17 bears.

"These bears are very unaccustomed to hunters and vehicles," he said. "First, I operate way back in the bush, and in addition to that the province shuts down all the roads to vehicles except for ATVs during 90 percent of the time of year that bears are out of hibernation. So the bears in my area readily come to my bait sites. And I also hunt each area very lightly.

"If you hunt Week 1 or Week 2, you'll be hunting from a bait site that has not been hunted before your arriva because I rotate between two camps, and I won't take more than four hunters at a time. I start preparing my bait sites in late April to get the bears accustomed to coming to the stands. I also expand bait lines each year, so some baits will have never been hunted. I put hunters on active bait sites only."

A wildlife biologist by profession, the outfitter has decided to postpone a planned price increase, so his 2009 hunts will cost the same as in 2008. His trophy fee for a second bear, $500, is also remaining the same.

"The population is probably 20 to 30 percent color phase bear," he said.

No fishing is available during the bear season. There are no lakes in the area, and the streams and rivers don't open to fishing until June 15.

"We have no problems with rubbed pelts," the outfitter said. "The bears don't come out of hibernation until the beginning of May. I'll go up and get ready about April 23. It will be an easy 10 days of pre-baiting. Each hunter will be the first hunter of the year on his bait site because I don't hunt the same bait. We do get some big bears. Many bears in my area live to the age needed to grow skulls large enough to qualify for the Pope and Young and Boone and Crockett records, and mature bears often weigh 400 and 500 pounds though the average is closer to 300 pounds."

His hunting camps are remote, accessibly by ATV only.

You'll be met at Fort McMurray, Alberta, on a Sunday. You'll then visit a license agent so that the outfitter can purchase your license and tags. Unlike most of the hunting trips that Hunts.Net promotes, the price includes the license and tags. If you want to hunt wolf, however, you'll have to buy a wolf license, which is typically less than $30 American. There are a good number of wolves in the hunting area.

Once licenses are purchased, you will be treated to a restaurant lunch, then you'll drive to the main camp and check your weapon's zero. After a 7 p.m. supper, you'll be oriented as to judging bear size, the hunting plans and hunting and camp protocol. Hunting will start the next day and continue through Saturday evening.

A typical day consists of a hearty breakfast at approximately 9 a.m. and a large dinner at about 3 p.m. After dinner, hunters are taken to their hunting areas, where they watch until dark. A hot meal will be ready for you when you return to camp.

• You must place a $1,000 deposit to book a hunt.
• The rest of the funds are to be paid upon arrival in Fort McMurray by certified check or cash.
• You must sign a liability waiver before the hunt.
• Deposit will be refunded only if the hunt is canceled 60 days before the season starts. If cancelled on shorter notice, there is no refund, but Hunts.Net often can fill cancelled slots, charging a booking fee to the cancelling hunter.
• The outfitters wants hunters to bring their own safety belts for use in the tree stands.
• The outfitter recommends having your bear tanned in Alberta to prevent hair slippage. He can put you in touch with taxidermists.

Map of area. Click on map to see larger image.