Black Bear Hunting in Northwestern Ontario

Black Bear

Merkel's Camp has been providing fishing/Black Bear hunting packages since 1963 and is one of the original Black Bear hunting outfitters in this area. Our bear management area has over 250 square miles of prime Black Bear habitat. We offer an exclusive bear hunt package tailored to specifically suit you, whether rifle hunting or archery hunting.

Our stands are pre-baited a minimum of 2 years in advance of your hunt, which is why our bear hunting guests experience an unusually high success rate. Sightings at our stands are so plentiful that hunters can have the confidence to pass on smaller bears and wait for the big old boars to come in. Some stands are baited 5-7 years before they are hunted. We limit the number of hunters we guide; therefore, combined with our extensive baiting, knowledge and great service, you can be assured a quality hunting experience! Most of our bears range in the 275-500 lb range with the potential for a huge bear. Bears in the 400+ pound range are considered trophies. Ontario's vast wilderness, combined with all the berry bushes growing in the logged areas, has produced enough food for bears to get bigger than ever before.

Just a couple of years ago a 780 pound bear was harvested by Ken Loya Jr., which turned out to be an Ontario record for crossbow. An 850 pound Black Bear was found dead at the dump and a 1000 pound Black Bear was hit and killed by a logging truck on highway 17 nearby. We don't want you to think you are going to be able to see an extraordinary trophy bear like these but our baiting efforts do bring in much bigger bears than most other outfitters. We bait years in advance while most outfitters only bait three weeks in advance.

Black Bear Hunt includes:
• Guaranteed active bait stations on arrival
• Extensive baiting
• Assistance with and tracking and retrieval
• Bear meat and hide freezer space

Black Bear Not Included in the Black Bear Hunt:
• Accommodations (not included in hunt $)
• Export Fee
• Meals
• Tree Stands
• skinning
• Bear Hunt license - $235.96 (Buy on-line)
• Outdoor Card - $9.68 (You have to buy one with your hunting license)
• Fishing license - Different prices (Buy on-line)

Open rates in Adobe .pdf for printing

What is an Outdoor Card:
An outdoor card offers conservation officers a quick way of authenticating your identification and Black Bear hunting license. This card is good for 3 years and must be presented to purchase your fishing or hunting license every year.

Price & Reservation Payments:
• A deposit of $500 is required 15 days after booking and $500 - 60 days prior to hunt.
• All hunts are Saturday to Friday
• Bear Hunting season is August 15 to October 15

Please click here to download .pdf reader

Ontario Hunting Regulations:


Visit the MNR website at www.mnr.gov.on.ca for hunting regulations.

Should you have any general questions pertaining to the hunting regulations summary please contact the Natural Resource Information Centre at 1-800-667-1940 or by emailing mnr.nric.mnr@ontario.ca

Canadian Firearms Declaration Form:


You will be required to fill out a temporary gun permit to bring firearms into Canada (Firearm Declaration Form). The fee is $25 payable at the border crossing.

Non-Resident Firearm Declaration Forms

are available by emailing cfp-pcaf@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, or by calling 1-800-731-4000 (Canada and U.S.) or 1-506-624-5380 (other countries) and from all Customs offices across Canada. Visit the RCMP web site for more information

Please Note: Do not sign your declaration form until the customs agent asks you to.