Vancouver Island, boasts one of the densest populations of black bears anywhere in North America. Yet, it’s one of the most under utilized hunts within the province. With such a healthy population of bears, it’s not uncommon to see several in a day during the peak of the season, making it an excellent opportunity to take out a newer hunter, or a younger hunter into the field for some experience.
It’s illegal to hunt bears with bait in British Columbia, and bears are very rarely hunted out of a stand. On the Island Black Bear hunting will be an exciting opportunity for spot and stalk. Bears will be spotted within the clearcut slashes left over from the logging industry. Because of the vast network of logging roads available, access via trucks and quads is very easy, making Island Black Bears an excellent hunting opportunity for disabled hunters too.
When’s The Best Time To Come?
Bear hunting on the Island is broken down into two seasons, the Spring Bear season which starts April 1st and goes to June 15th and the Fall Bear Season which goes from Sept 10th to Dec 10th. There is also a special bow hunting only season which starts on August 25th – Sept 9th. If you want to see lots of bears then generally the spring season is a better time to come.
For early hunters the month of April can produce the odd big boar, and they usually have a really nice coat of fur but these bears are few and far between. You’ll spend several hours in the field for each bear sighting.
As the weather warms up through May the hunting starts to get much better as the sun starts to heat things up and the bears start getting active. Through mid May and into June the bears are out in full force and it’s not uncommon to see 10-20 bears in a single day, into June it’s the bears mating season and it’s easier to find a big boar as somewhat like deer they get a little silly. This can make for exciting hunting, if you’re trying to introduce somebody new to the sport. And there’s nothing that gets the blood flowing then having multiple chances to stalk trophy Black Bears in a single day!
If it’s a rug you’re after the later spring bears can have rubbed hides, and this is not desirable for a rug or mount. With such an ample supply of bears this won’t be a problem if you can commit a few days or weekends to choose the right bear. Your taxidermist can do a little to make it look better but you’re better off carefully selecting your bear.
What Should You Bring?
Because most bear hunting on the Island is accessed via the logging road network, a truck and camper are a good choice, with a quad or dirtbike to explore all the little spurs you’ll have at your disposal. Here are a few more items in addition to your regular hunting gear that are a must have for hunting on the island.
- Spotting Scope – Spotting Scopes are helpful when trying to judge bears from a distance. You’ll spot many bears during your trip, and have plenty of time to study them through your glass. I always have my spotter, along with a tripod and usually a window mount in the glovebox of the truck just in case.
- 200’+ of Rope – If you shoot a bear, there is a pretty good chance you’ll be close to a road, and even small bears are very cumbersome to drag out of our clear cuts. The rope will come in handy to use a winch on your truck, or ATV to drag the bear out. It’s come in handy for us many times.
- Tarps – If you’re going to quarter your bear up in the field and pack him out it’s nice to have a small tarp to work on. Keeps the meat clean and helps keep the hide clean which is nice for taxidermist too.
- Chainsaw – If you’re into exploring all of the little spur roads with your truck or quad, then a chainsaw is a good idea because you’ll likely have to cut some blow down off the smaller spur roads, especially for early spring hunts.
- Backroads Map Book – These are probably the most detailed maps of our logging road network and will be very helpful in navigating your way around the Island Backroads.
Where Should You Go?
There is more access available the further north you go on the Island. From Nitinat, to Port Hardy is ALL good bear country, aside from a couple parks which are clearly defined in the regs. If you’re driving here from the mainland I would suggest picking up your copy of the Vancouver Island Backroads Mapbook as it provides detailed maps of our logging roads, campsites, fishing holes and more, an invaluable little tool for any out of town bear hunter.
Some popular areas that come to mind for Island Black Bear Hunting would be Port Renfrew, Bamfield, Nitinat, Gold River, Sayward, Campbell River and pretty much any northern town north of Nanaimo is going to have some logging roads accessible close by.
What Can You Do With The Bear?
Many hunters that harvest island bears have the meat prepared into sausauges, hams, pepperoni and other smoked delicasies. The bear we took last year was turned into a rug, and the meat ground up and boiled, and made into a very healthy and natural dog food, which my dog absolutely loves.
If you plan on having your bear turned into a rug or 1/2 size mount it will cost you $1000 or more to have a taxidermist prepare it for you. If you intend on caping the bear yourself, this bear caping tutorial might be helpful. Be sure to take your time and use lots of salt if you can’t get it to a taxidermist right away.
Vancouver Island Black Bear Hunting Tips
1. 3pm till dark seems to be the best time to see lots of bears in the spring time, especially during the month of May.
2. Look for recontoured roads, where the logging companies have reseeded with grass and clover. During the later hours of the day bears often go to these areas to feed, you can find them on these patches at all hours.
3. If you’ve had lots of rainfall on your hunt, it’s tougher to find bears. When the sun shines, get your ass out there and start glassing. The bears come out of the bush and into the sun, to get a quick feed and dry off. We’ve always had good luck finding bears during these short sunny spells.
4. Just because you glassed a clearcut and didn’t see a bear the first 10 minutes doesn’t mean there isn’t one there! The clearcuts these bears live in are littered with stumps and deadfall and it’s not hard for a bear to be swallowed up by the hillside for several minutes, even hours at a time. If at first you don’t see a bear, give it a rest for a few minutes and check back.
5. Before you pull the trigger on a black bear ask yourself if it’s going to be easy getting him out… Do you have enough hands to help? Can you get help? MANY newer black bear hunters learn this the hardway, myself included.
Please Let Us Know If You Have Any Questions Or Comments Below
This is awesome info for a first time black bear hunt! Thanks for sharing a little info for us new bear hunters! I just found this site it’s great! It will be in my favorites now for sure!
Ryan
No problem Ryan, I am glad you found it useful. If you have any questions about your upcoming bear hunt feel free to ask.
Carl
I was just wondering what your thoughts where on alpine bear being a better tasting than a lower in the valleys bear ?
Hi Springbear,
I’ve been in on bears killed down low and also up high in the valleys and am not a fan of the meat in either instance. If you’re looking for a great tasting bear I would say shoot one and then have the meat made into pepperoni/sausage etc… No matter if the bear is up high or down low in the springtime they are all eating the same types of feed so the meat quality myth isn’t something I buy into.
Carl
Ya pepperoni is what I had the last years bear made into and it was and alpine bear it was quite good I just thought that the bear that r in on the salmon runs and such might have a fishy kinda taste.. And also just wondering weather u had and better ideas about how to identify a bore from a female I have found it difficult to tell from any distance even with my optics
Springbear,
The pepperoni would probably be good! In the springtime though I think most the black bears are eating pretty much the same things… Clover, Greens and any Carrion they can find. If you are having trouble identifying the difference between a Boar and a Sow I put together this article on Field Judging Black Bear Size there are some good tips on identifying good sized bears (which will more than likely be boars).
A few pointers.
1. Boars will act like they own the place. They will not be very cautious and their movements are very deliberate. They have nothing to fear and often act as such.
2. Boars will have a much bigger, blockier head than a sow. Think of the softer features on a womans face… Bears aren’t much different and the ruggedness of their head usually gives the boar away.
3. Boars will almost always be travelling alone, unless you are hunting late may, early june. Then they will be shacking up with a sow and the bigger boars start acting a little stupid.
Carl
Thanks that will help alot I always went by the head size but the other pointer will definitely help and go to good use in the new season here in a few days …good luck out there and be safe. Doug
I am trying to get some info on bear hunting Vancouver Island, we are experienced bear hunters and would like to hunt the island. Are tags a draw on over the counter? Are there cabin rentals up north in good hunting areas? Thank you for any info.
Hello Bill,
Thanks for your comment! If you are a resident of BC then you can buy Black Bear tags over the counter, however for non-residents you will require the services of a guide. The outfitters on the Northern end of the Island are usually always producing the biggest bears. Late April/Early May seems to be the best times to go, but if you link up with a reputable outfitter they will be able to tell you when the best dates would be for their bear area. If you come in May you’ll have plenty of selection, my best day was about 28 different Black Bears in one day!
Let me know if you have any other questions!
Carl
How much are black bear tags
Hi Braeden,
Your Hunting License will cost you $35.84 and the Black Bear tags are $22.40 each. These are the prices I paid for my 2011 license/tag and taxes are included as well.
Good luck for this Spring season!
Carl
Me and a couple friends are coming to vancouver island for a spring bear hunt, were going easter weekend and would like to increase our odds of seeing many black bear. since none of us know the area is there a certain spot you could recomend?
Hi Jesse,
Thanks for your question. Easter Weekend might still be a little early if you want to see tons of Black Bears. Spring is coming a little slow this year and there is still quite a bit of snow up high. With that said, there are bears out but mostly in the lower elevations. If you are coming this weekend, Port Renfrew, Lake Cowichan or Nitinat areas might be ok. If the sun is out, and the weather is nice there is a good chance you’ll see some bears but generally it needs to be a little warmer to get them really moving.
Good Luck!
Carl
Hey Carl
Thank you for your input, we think we will try Cowichan lake. The forcast looks great, so we are hopeful for a successful hunt.
Jesse
Hey Jesse,
Cool. Cowichan is a good area, there might be some gated roads around there though. If you can heading toward Nitinat might be a better go… Flora Main, Franklin Main, Gorge Main are all good roads to check out as well and are all within 1 -1.5 hours of Cowichan. Get a backroad mapbook and you’ll be good to go. Here’s hoping you get a couple nice sunny days, they really draw the bears out! Keep me posted on how you guys make out!
Carl
Thanks for the tips, Carl. Looking forward to my trip out to BC.
Hi Carl,
You have a very exciting post here. I have tried black bear hunting and it’s really cool and full of adventure. One of the best place to hunt the bears in Vancouver Island is in the Lake Cowichan . I am really interested of talking to you about Hunting Licenses and Black Bear tags. Those prices you mentioned above is really the real price now or it goes lower? 🙂
Thanks.
Rayj
Thanks RayJ,
The prices I mentioned in the article are for Resident Licenses only… If you are not from BC then you’d expect to pay $5000+ for a guided black bear hunt on the Island. Lake Cowichan is a good area, but also see’s quite a bit of hunting pressure. Another hour or two on the logging roads puts you out of the way of other hunters.
Carl
Carl,
How is the black bear hunting around Port Alberni in late May or early June?
Hi Drake,
Thanks for your comment late May or early June would be great times to be hunting around Port Alberni… It’s a pretty good road out to Bamfield with LOTS of spurs and clear cuts venturing off. You’ll see lots of bears but they might not have the best coats you’ll have to really look them over for signs of rubbing.
Carl
Hi, looking for some good locations for a fall bear hunt on Vancouver island I was thinking the mt arrowsmith area or great central lake area. what are your thoughts?
-Scott
Hey Scott,
Thanks for your comment. For fall black bear I am not so sure that Mt. Arrowsmith would be the best choice… If it were me, I’d be heading closer to some rivers that will have Salmon in them. Bamfield, Nitinat, Gold River, Tahsis areas would probably be good places to start.
Carl
Hey Carl I was wondering when u buy a spring bear tag does the tag carry over to the fall season as well.
Thanks Mark
Hello Mark,
Thank you for your comment. So long as you purchase the tag in the same year you plan to hunt you are OK.
Example… You purchase a Black Bear tag in March 2011 in preparation for a spring bear hunt… You don’t kill a bear that spring. You go hunting in September of 2011, then YES your Black Bear tag is still good. It will NOT carry over to a subsequent year though.
Carl
Hi Carl,
I am a New Zealander and have promised myself a bear hunt in Canada.
$5000 +, American dollars is a bit expensive for me, can I not just hunt with a local hunter rather than a guide ??
Hello Dave, Thanks for your comment. Yes, it’s pricey but unfortunately that’s what it costs for a non-resident to hunt bears here. If you had family here you could get a permit to accompany. Hunting with an unlicensed guide is illegal here.
Carl
Is it true that a bears muzzle becomes darker as the bear ages? Most black bears have the lighter blond muzzle, but some bears have a much darker, almost black muzzle.
Hello,
Thanks for your comment. I am unsure about this one. There are other clues about their demeanor and behavior that could tell you it’s an older bear.
Does killing a bear make you feel like a big man?
Hi James,
No, it’s actually quite a humbling experience when you walk up to the animal that just gave it’s life. The bear you are referring to was skinned, quartered we removed the meat, the hide and the skull. The meat was ground up into a healthy dog food and the hide turned into a rug to preserve the memory for my friend who’s bear it was. We have a very healthy population of Black Bears on our Island (more than 10,000) with an abundance of food and no natural predators here, there is an imbalance. Hunting bears in BC is a big part of bear management here and ensuring they don’t also hurt our Island’s local deer and elk population (which the bears are quite hard on the newborn young). More people should be hunting Black Bears here. We are allowed 2 per year.
Carl
many near renfrew this time of year? fall likely near the river?
Carl,
Thanks for the good info. Please feel free to contact me if you’re looking for someone help you out/company on your next bear hunt. I would love the exposure. Thanks. Cheers
Hi Dylan,
There are bears all over the lower end of the Island out Renfrew way. I’ve not hunted it very much though. Yes, you will find bears near the river in the fall. Check the regs though as some areas close to rivers are no hunting/no shooting.
Carl
Hi Rusto,
Thanks for your comment. We usually head out in late April and May for Black Bears. I am not too eager to shoot another bear unless he’s big but am happy to help others get a bear.
Carl
Planing a may hunt (thasis). What are the pro and cons of quartering to remove from the bush verses whole removal? We do eat the meat (there are many tricks to make it tasty) and I have wondered if there is a differance in the two ways of feild procesing.
Thanks.
Hi Travis,
We’ve broken down bears both ways, it really just depends on your circumstances. We’ve had bears die right beside the logging road so they are fairly easy for a few guys to load into the pickup. We’ve had other bears that we shot 100 yards from the logging road in a slash and then we usually try and quarter them and do the gutless method of quartering. You can find YouTube videos that will explain that method to you.
Carl
Hey Carl,
I am new to hunting and this winter season was my first season out. Was fortunate to get a Muley out in Merritt and I really have the itch to get out and harvest some more meat. As the only season that will be open soon is the Black Bear I was wondering what your thoughts were on harvesting for meat. I’ve read from your convos above that most get it sausaged and peperronied, is there any hams on a bear that could be roasted up? And do you know what average prices are for getting one butchered? I know that the alpine bears in the interior can have a tastier fat because of the more ample berries, was just wondering also if that were the case here and what the best time of the season would be to hunt them for more quality meat? Hopefully im not overwhelming you her with questions, any info will help.
Thanks,
Mitch
Hi Mitch,
Congrats on your Muley! I didn’t get much time to hunt this season. Lots of guys hunt Black Bear for the meat. I’ve had pepperoni and sausages that were good, I’ve heard really good things about bear hams, also bear bacon. The fat can be saved and rendered down and used in many ways. I am not sure what the prices for butchering are in Merritt but down here it’s hard to find a butcher that will handle bear. You really have to search around for someone that will do it. Straight butchering can be had between .70cents and up per pound cut/wrapped. If you want cured meats then you get up into the $2.50+ per pound range. An averaged sized bear turned into cured meats etc.. would probably run you over $300. I jerkied and pepperonied up 1/2 of my first bear and it cost me $350 I think.
Good luck only a couple more months!
Carl
Hi Carl,
I am going to hunt bears this year with my friend and dad. My dad and i have hunted bears our whole life, however, never on the island. We already know that we want to hunt the north end of the island but would you have any suggestions of where the best 2-3 spots would be for the end of April? Ideal locations would have little to no other hunters, lots of good logging roads, plenty of areas to glass and spot, stalk a bear.
Thanks for your time
Hello,
Good for you. I noticed you have an Alberta email. You’ll need to be a BC resident or be with a BC resident and possess a permit to accompany if you want to hunt Black Bears on the Island. If you get the red tape cut and have the legalities in place then you can certainly hunt here. The North Island is crawling with bears, just pick a logging road that isn’t gated and start driving and glassing during prime times. Everybody wants to be away from other hunters but those special spots take time, effort and gas or boot leather to find. It’s also a great amount of luck too. Get a Vancouver Island Backroads mapbook and start checking out the road networks and then go to Google Earth (lots of high res images of the island) and you can really hone in on areas. Good luck!
Carl
Thanks for all the comments and insights. I got lucky with my first Island black bear just north of Duncan. A quick shot between the eyes at dusk created the challenge of extricating a 6’8″ monster in the dark. I was hooked instantly. I have not matched that bear yet but your articles get me planning on it. Happy hunting, everyone.
Thanks for all the information. It’s always exciting to get out bear hunting. I’ve shot bear in the spring and the fall and the only real difference I’ve found is the quality of the pelt. I’m one of those guys that eats it and likes it. I’m looking forward to getting out to Bamfield area and finding another one. It is also my son’s first year so I’d love to get him lined up on one.
Happy hunting
Hey Ken, thanks for stopping by! Best of luck to you and your son this season!
Thanks for all of your tips, advice and suggestions.
Here’s my situation, I am a American from Oregon who has 3rd cousins living in and around Campbell River. They are my father deceased cousins sons and daughters.
Here’s the question, would that be considered family if they were to be host or what is considered family?
Next question, how much would the license, elk, bear and cougar tags
Why isn’t fall bear more popular then spring? I am meat and decent pelt.
Are there lakes in the area that benefit from using a 14 boat, smokercraft style?
What about fog? do they come and go?
Thanks again!
Hi Timothy,
Thanks for your comment. I am not sure how far the permit to accompany extends but there is more information here: http://www.frontcounterbc.gov.bc.ca/guides/fish-wildlife/accompany-to-hunt/overview/
Your cousin would need to be a licensed BC hunter to begin with. The cost for the licenses and tag fees are right here: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/wildlife/hunting/non_resident/#Licences
You won’t be able to hunt Elk on the Island though, they are a limited entry hunt on a lottery system. If you can get the permit Bear and Cougar are huntable, although the Bear will be a lot easier to get unless you have some hounds or know someone with hounds.
Spring Bear hunting is popular because the weather is nice and the bears have not been eating much fish. There are also lots of them. The hides are decent if you get the bear earlier in the spring or find one up in the high country that hasn’t rubbed yet.
There are many lakes on the Island, a 14 foot boat would probably be fine but you’ll have limited hunting opportunities out of it. Most the bear hunting here is done by truck or atv along logging roads and clear cuts.
Best of luck to you!
Carl
Thanks for the great info, 2016 will be my 3rd hunting season, looking forward to spring bear hunting. Saw a big boar last year while out scouting – very exciting.
Hey Russ,
Thanks for the comments. Good luck out there this season! A big bear is where you find him!
Carl
Hello I was wondering if you could help me out. I have a friend who has a cabin at Mount Aerosmith I am new to the island and I’m wondering how the spring bear hunting is in this area? Thanks a lot for your help.
Sean
Hi Sean,
There are bears on Mt. Arrowsmith but not sure about access or where to go. You’ll have to hit the logging roads with an ATV, dirt bike or 4×4. If you go out towards Port Alberni and Bamfield way there are many places to go.
Carl
Just wanted to encourage you with the excellent articles! I’m a green hunter and really appreciate old heads willing to help out!
Will definitely try to get my first bear this spring!
Brad