Bowsite.com

This was my first Black Bear hunt. The weather was great all week and the bugs were non existent. We went up with a couple of guys who have hunted there several times. Several gun hunters were leaving when we arrived. Ivor (the owner) puts gun hunters in seperate areas from the bow hunters. We hunted at the Ritchie Falls main camp, they also have Moosewa Outpost camp which is more remote, but with it's own lodge and cabins. We brought our 4 wheelers which are not mandatory, but highly recommended to increase your bait sight options. Ivor has dozens of baits in all directions from camp. Once taken out to the bait sights on the first day to set up we were pretty much on our own, which we didn't mind.He baits with a popcorn and fresh blueberry syrup/jelly mixture. The baits were getting hit pretty well. The second night 3 guys from our group got shots(all bow) at bear. 2 were recovered and the third was trailed a long ways the next day , but not recovered. 2 muzzle loader hunters in camp took their bears and left early. On the third night I finally saw my first bear. A sow and 2 cubs skirted my bait and then (in my mind) a big bear well over 300lbs came to within 20 yards of my bait and suddeny bolted. I later screwed up and wounded a good bear hitting him high in the back. We did not recover him. Those were the only bear I saw all week. 2 guys in our group did not see a bear all week and another guy took a small bear the last day. The price of the trip was great and the food was excellent. I had my chance and did not make it count. Ivor has since gone exclusively to Moosewa Outpost and he sold Ritchie falls, but the new owners are still doing bear hunts. All in all for the money this is a decent hunt with great food and great people. If you are looking for a hardcore bear hunt this is probably not what you are looking for, but for an inexpensive trip with a real good chance at a bear it is worth it.