Rick's 2009 Bear Hunt A Productive season with a hunter success rate of 82%. The success rate is based on individual hunter success and does not include sightings.  Many of the bear harvested weighed in the 300-400 lb class. The largest bear was 440 lbs.  The largest skull measurement was 20-2/16, taken by archer Mike Weber (photo on left) from Mishawaka, Ind. Considering that the provincial hunter success rate is 34% (MNR Statistics) it was an outstanding season for my clients.

The bear season in the Province of Ontario opened on August 15th.  We started to tend the baits in June and were ready for opening day.

Once again, Gary and Judy Slater (Marion, MI), Dan and Tina Mikelewicz (Freeland, MI) and Frank Smoltz (Leroy, MI) hunted the Dubreuilville area and all were successful in tagging trophy boars.  Gary and Judy's bear were in the 400 lb. class.

The Joe Arbic party (Battlecreek MI) went 8 for 12 and everyone had an opportunity for a bear.  They hunted the same baits as the previous 22 years.

Dan Abbott, Bangor MI, enjoyed another short hunt.  Five minutes into the hunt Don arrowed another Pope & Young Trophy that weighed 440 lbs.

Bobby Fawlkes, Flint MI, had bad experiences on previous hunts with other outfitters.  This year, Bobby would not be denied.  After passing bear on the first evening Bobby bagged a 350# trophy the next day.

Chip Reese, Whitehouse Ohio, Matt Stevens, Mesick MI, David Beck, Holland Ohio, and Patrick Jobie, Howell MI all tagged nice trophies.  Chip is an ardent hunter and continuously passed bear until the right one presented a shot.  Patrick's bear was the largest, weighing in the 300# class

Eric Roth, Jackson MI, requested the particular baits on the Hornepayne Hwy.  Eric bagged a trophy boar that should make Boone & Crockette.

Ken Lehman, Stanton MI, saw 16 different bear while hunting the baits.  This experienced hunter was looking for a particular animal and returned home without filling his tag.

Mike Ritter, Lakeville Ind, Mike Weber and Bruce Thompson, Mishawaka Ind, all arrowed Pope & Young Trophies.  Mike Weber's bear scored 20 2/16

Every year Ken Ward, Schoolcraft MI, hunts the same baits.  This year was no different and Ken was rewarded with another nice trophy.

Ed Peters, Mt. Pleasant MI, Ken Peters, Grand Haven MI, Mark Marlette, Kentwood MI, Brian Wilson, Mt. Pleasant MI, and Scott Raymond, Shepherd MI have successfully hunted the same baits the second week.  This year was no exception as they returned home 4 for 5, with all seeing bear.

John Pate, Litchfield MI, wasted no time tagging a trophy on his favourite bait, the Gully.

Joe Catenacci, Watersweet MI, had successfully hunted the Hornepayne Hwy. bait on a previous trip.  This year Joe tagged another 340 lb trophy on the Gourlay bait.

Jim Ordway, Freemont Ind, hunted with Geoff Lee, Oscala Ind, David Brauard, Bristol Ind, Steve Bravard, Newark Ohio, Jim Prentkowski and Jeff Herman, Elkhart Ind.  Jim and his party returned home with 5 nice animals.

The hunters at the Pukaskwa Camp did exceptionally well.  Brad Snoderly, Swanton Ohio, and Ralph Boulton IIIand Jason Grames, Toledo Ohio went 3 for 3.  Matt Robinson and Robert Bailey, Farewell MI and Bob Edmonds also went 3 for 3 with Bob tagging a 320 lb trophy.

David, Lucas, Todd and Eric Sturrus & Brandon Wisser, Grand Rapids MI, Mike Helbeck, Walker MI and Bob Gingrich, Rockford MI, all saw bear during their Pukaskwa Hunt and were rewarded with 5 nice animals.

This was the first time Ben Hershberger, Temperance Ohio, Dave Mack, Toledo Ohio and Matt Elson, Port Clinton, Ohio hunted with me.  All three were rewarded with nice animals.  Not bad for a bunch of rookies.

At the conclusion of the hunt, I kept busy replenishing my bait for next year, training my black lab pup Shilo, trapping and chasing whitetail and moose. 

We thank all our clients and friends who used our service and helped to make 2009 a successful and memorable year.

Best wishes to you and your family.

Until we meet again.

Sincerely,

Rick and Darlene

	Dave Mack Toledo OH
Eric Shaw, Grandville MI

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