What To Expect

Read the following information prior to your hunt.

 

 

· Bear hunting can be dangerous and even deadly. Castle Creek Outfitters will NOT be held liable for anything. You must arrive with the signed waiver. No waiver – No hunt.

 

· Return Policy: On reserved hunts a $50 service fee will be charged per hunter if not drawn or for cancellation. If hunter or group cancel 14 days before opener you will not receive a refund. You will receive a refund if your spot can be filled in that time less a $50 fee per hunter.

 

· Anyone born on or after January 1, 1980 must have a Firearms Safety Certificate (or equivalent).

 

· Apply as a group if more than one in your party. The MN DNR has a maximum size of 4 for a group.

 

· Zone 26 hunts are in the Chippewa National Forest (666,542 Acres), not just state land.

 

· One guaranteed active daylight bait or you don’t pay. Castle Creek Outfitters is not responsible for bait sites turning to night bears during your hunt.

 

· Wounded Bear Policy: A wounded bear is your bear for that hunt. Castle Creek Outfitters will make every effort to assist in retrieving a wounded bear. If your bear is not recovered, that was the bear for your hunt. Castle Creek Outfitters does offer a second chance for $250.00 within the week of your hunt (This is to discourage taking a bad or high risk shot). However, we do not guarantee the bait active.

 

· Zone 26 hunts are for the first five days of the regulation bear hunting season. Exceptions could possibly be worked.

 

· Your bait station is determined by a drawing of the sites among all the hunters.

 

· The bait station is YOUR bait station. No other hunter will be using it without YOUR permission. Stations are clearly marked within 20 feet by Castle Creek Outfitters. If problems occur there is a DNR officer nearby.

 

· I apply insect repellant near the baits for the bears to get use to the smell. Contact me to purchase the same.

 

· Baits are maintained until hunting season begins.

 

· Each hunter has their bait maintained for the week of their hunt.

 

· All baits are checked everyday by either the hunter or the guide the week of the hunt. Either CCO or the hunter will freshen the bait to avoid traffic if needed. If a bait has been hit it is re-baited. I do not leave piles of bait in the woods. First come first served. This promotes the bears to come in on our terms.

 

· Hunter will be dropped off at their bait the 1st time and hunter will be responsible to find it after that.

 

· I do not promote the shooting of Sows (females) with cubs. If this is the case - you are on your own.

 

· One ladder stand with one cleared shooting path.

 

· All baits have either a trail timer or an IR trail camera. Bears tend to play or chew on these so there is a limited number of trail cameras.

 

· Portable stands are available with a $100 deposit. Deposit is returned when stand is returned.

 

· Bears range in size from 100 to 700+ pounds. Average under 200 pounds. Just like a trophy buck – you have to put your time in for a trophy bear.

 

· Most bears are taken at dusk or a little earlier. Just as in any hunting – they could show up whenever.

 

· Opener is usually the best day to hunt as well as the first week. Weather, food in the forest, as well as other factors play important roles.

 

· Enter and leave your station as quietly as you can. You do not want to spook the bears out of your area.

 

· I suggest sighting in your weapon prior to arriving for your hunt to ensure it is accurate and you are familiar with it. You can double check your weapon at bear camp.

 

· Do not force shots. Shot placement is key in bear hunting. See shot placement images.

 

· The minimum bow draw weight has been reduced to 30 pounds as of 2007 for both bear and deer.

 

· Leave the forest the same way you found it.

 

· Be smart – be safe!