Bear Hunting

  

  

  

  

View more photos of our
2012 Season Bears below
or in the gallery.

The Jackman area has a large population of black bear, many reaching trophy size. In Maine, the average adult black bear runs between 150 and 200 pounds. Here at Cedar Ridge Outfitters our bear weights have been averaging 200 pounds, and every year we take a few over 300 pounds. Our bear baiting is done in remote areas with no competition from the other outfitters. Our fall hunt starts the end of August and goes into September and is limited to a small group of hunters. Our stands will accommodate rifle -- bow -- muzzle loader and handgun.

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People ask what is the best week for bear hunting. The success rate is exactly the same all 4 weeks. It's no different, 1st week from 4th week. We have baits in 4 different areas and we hunt a different area every week. There are times when we do hunt a pre-hunted bait, but that's because there are multiple big bear coming to that bait. We kill bear every year that were hunted out of a pre-hunted stand. Ask the references and they will tell you the same thing. We have killed a bear one night and killed another one the night after. There are a lot of bear in this area and very little in competing outfitters.

The biggest "killer" in hunting bear, as in most things, is the WEATHER. High winds, heavy rain or very warm temperatures are what will keep the bear from coming to the baits. And weather, we cannot control. That is why you really need a week to bear hunt. But, if the weather is good, most people kill, see or have a chance at a bear the first night on thier stand.

Bear hunting is very relaxing. Being that you hunt only late afternoon into the evening, you the hunter have all morning to play.

Many hunters bring their spouses for some nice R & R. It's a great place to bring families, too. September is a nice time of year. Early in the month the weather can be quite nice with day time temps averaging around 70 to 75 degrees. The heated pool is still up and going as well as the hot tubs.

Later in the season, it is cooler. I've seen it be in the 70's but I've also seen it in the 50's day time. A little cool for laying out at the pool, but to see the gorgeous foliage is well worth donning some warmer clothes for your vacation. The foliage starts getting nice the third week of September.

The gals love it because they get the best of it all; 1/2 day with their honeys and 1/2 day to do what they want - relax, read, watch a movie, go for a walk or lay by the pool. Plus, they get away from the kitchen and enjoy Chef Debbie's cooking.

We love it when the kids come, too. Most of the kids we have here hunt. We have at least 2 young ones kill a bear every year.

Plus, families get their own private cabin so they are away from the "guys" doing their guy thing.

A Few Photos from Our 2012 Season

2013 prices for Guided Bear Hunt Over Bait
$1,950 per hunter for a 6 day hunt, 7 nights
$750 for a non hunter includes meals & 7 nights lodging

2013 Big Game license cost is $114
and the bear tag is $74

For more information and purchasing, go to www.mefishwildlife.com.

Price Includes: guide, active bait site, transportation to site, 3 hearty meals a day, lodging, sales tax, hide skinner/care of bear, skinner skins bear for taxidermy & quarters the meat to freeze. (care of game does not mean butchering).

Price DOES NOT include Big Game Hunting License with Bear Tag and all Gratuities.

$650 deposit (check or Credit Card) is required at the time of booking. Deposits are non refundable, unless your cancelled spot is filled with another hunter.

Looking for taxidermy services? We recomend master taxidermist Dick Galgovitch. Visit him online!

Click Here for more detailed prices & information on cabins.
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Contact us for more info
Location & Directions
207-668-4169 ask for Hal or Deb

"Hal and Deb,
We have had such a great week with both of you at your camp. Barb has now set out to join weight watchers :) no just kiding. Meals were world class and the hospitality was there too. Deb has some very good help helping her too. It seems that you two work well together and Hal is a very good guide. My bear was a great sucess story for me on the hunt. Hats off to the two guides you have it is hard to find such good help that cares that much about the people and your business. These two guides make such a impact with there positive attitude toward the guest. The week we had was a trip we will talk about for years and years. Where else can you go and get treated like kings and queens. You two have made a very good business to be proud of. We can step out of your world and say yes you two have a very sucessful business. It seems that you run the business with your hearts. This will make people return year after year good luck in the following years. Hope to see you in a couple years." Thanks, Friends Always
The "Iowa" People
Les and Barb Hansen 2010

"Hal & Debbie,
I wanted to thank both of you again for the hospitality,great hunting, and top notch cooking. I wish I had capitolized on my opportunity but I believe my nerves won that round unfortunatly. Tommy was awesome and joining him while he tracked Kims bear was a true joy. That was tough terrain to track in but he refused to give up which ulitmatly resulted in finding that bear on a mariginal hit. It was a pleasure meeting both of you and I hope you all have a safe successful season ahead of you. I would love to get the opportunity to redeem myself. I am now a bear hunter for life, it was alot of fun."Thanks Again,
Kyle Bors
Pro-Staff Advisor/Property Manager
Advisory Staff
Coleoutdoors.com

"I just want to tell you that we all had a great time at your lodge. This was the fifth bear hunt that Mike and I were on (and my first bear) and you were the third outfitter that we went with. The week we spent at your lodge was by far the best. Your accommadations and food were superb and Hal and his guides were the best. We liked drawing the stands out of a hat (we never did that before) and your guides were nice and helpful as was all your staff. Well, I have gone on enough, I'm sure you folks are very busy right now."Yours in Sports,
Frank Kopeski

"We wanted to thank you for a excellent week at Cedar Ridge. From the accomodations, hunting, guides, food, and other hunters in camp. They were all first class. The experience was great, the knowledge and wisdom that we gained from the experience will not only make us better hunters, but better people as well. Once we recovered from the 15 hour drive home, we began planning for next year and will contact you shortly to make a deposit for next year."Thanks again,
Gary and Jessica McHenry

"We wanted you to know that for the 4th time at your place we had a wonderful time. Bruce and I always take these trips as you know. But this year bringing my daughter Amanda with us was the best trip I think I have ever had. It was so relaxing and fulfilling as a father to set in the stand with her and watch her eyes light up as she saw the fisher's and other animal's. Tell Hal, Kevin and Tommy the guides, that I appreciate the efforts that they put into this season. Those guys really made Amanda feel right At home."Tony Irving

"For myself, without taking a bear this year I could say it wasn't a success, but that is far from the truth. Please, let me explain how I see my total experience for the week spent at Cedar Ridge as both gratifying and successful. I know success is sometimes measured in pounds or by the numbers taken, but to apply those same measures to last weeks hunt would be to blindly say it was less than it was. Just to measure the experience in those terms says nothing about northern Maine's spectacular views, the accommodations available to us, the gourmet meals overly enjoyed by all nor does it speak to the professionalism of the guides and staff who help to make it such a fulfilling time while with Cedar Ridge Outfitters. The making of new friends and the renew of old friendships. The time I got to spent with the other hunters, their spouses, the guides and the staff, whether it was traveling to or from our stands for that evenings hunt or dinning on Debbie's gourmet meals helped us to grow closer over the week as we listened and shared our story's of the night's hunt with each other."Frank Harrison

"Just a quick note to let you know I had a great time as your guest for the past week!   The food and accommodations were great!  The scenery was breathtaking and people were friendly and down to earth.  And on top of all that, I was fortunate enough to bag a beautiful Maine black bear!  It is an experience I shall never forget as long as I live. Please pencil my name in for next year and include my wife (as a non hunter) and my son as well!"Bob Pajerowski

A Few Photos from Our 2011 Season

A Few Photos from Our 2010 Season

     

     

     

Check out the video for this hunt.

                   

A Few Photos from Our 2008 & 2009 Seasons

Click here to see more Black Bear Hunting Photos.