Bear Hunting FAQs

Questions about our bear hunts are always welcome. Here are some of the common ones we receive:

Q. Do I need a passport?

A. Yes. A passport is required to enter Canada by car, sea or air. You can get your passport application by going to: www.travel.state.gov or visit your local Post Office for more information.

Q. How do I purchase my Hunting and/or Fishing License?

A. For online purchasing prior to arrival visit – https://www.on.wildlifelicense.com/start.php or licenses can be purchased upon arrival at Flint Wilderness Resort.

Q. What documents do I need to obtain a Non-Resident Hunting License in Ontario?

A. To hunt in Ontario, non-residents must be at least 16 years of age and possess one of the following:

• A previous Ontario Hunting Outdoor Card.
• An Ontario non-resident’s hunting license issued after January 1, 1968 and before January 1, 2009.
• A hunting license issued to you by a designated authority (your Home State) in any jurisdiction as a resident of that jurisdiction after January 1, 1968. BE SURE LICENSE IS FOR GUN HUNTING. “ARCHERY ONLY LICENSES” AND “TURKEY TAGS” ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE. LICENSES MUST BE ORIGINAL COPIES OR NOTARIZED COPIES OF PRINTED LICENSE.
• An Ontario Hunter Examination Certificate/Report issued to you after January 1, 1968
• An Ontario Hunting License Verification Certificate showing that you were issued an Ontario license to hunt, or passed the Hunting License Examination.
• A certificate, issued to you after January 1, 1968, by a designated authority in any jurisdiction, giving you permission to purchase a hunting license in that jurisdiction. (Hunter Safety Course Certificate)

Q. What other documents do I need to hunt in Canada and return to the US?

1. US Customs Form 4457. A Certificate of Registration for Personal Effects Taken Abroad. The Form 4457 lists items of value as proof you owned them before you entered Canada. It is best to list your firearms, spotting scopes, riflescopes, etc. This certificate should be filed at your local US Customs office PRIOR to crossing the Canadian Border. Form 4457 is attached with this handout and also can be found online at: http://forms.cbp.gov/pdf/CBP_Form4457.pdf
2. Non Resident Firearm Declaration Form 5589. Fill out Form 5589 before you leave for Canada. Fill out the attached Form 5589 or fill out online and then print 3 copies. Do not sign until you are at the border. The fee for this permit is $25 (Can. Funds) For more information on firearms restrictions and to print Form 5589 go to: www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca or call 613-993-7267. As a general rule, the maximum magazine capacity is 5 cartridges. You are allowed to bring with you 200 rounds of ammunition.

Q. How do I pay the balance of my trip?

A. Your balance is due upon arrival, payable by cash, traveler’s check, money order, certified check or Visa, MasterCard and Discover Credit Cards.

Q. What currency can I use?

A. The balance of your trip with Flint Wilderness Resort is in US Funds. All licenses and permits are in Canadian Funds. Licenses are subject to change.

Q. What kind of hunting gear should I bring?

A. Camouflage from head to toe including gloves. Be sure that all of your clothing is SCENT FREE. We do not recommend any type of cover scent with an odor. We do recommend “Scent Shield”. Good bug jackets to protect from black flies and mosquitoes. Quiet rain gear. Hunting boots. Hunter orange hat (logo in front allowed) along with hunter orange vest (it must cover 400 square inches above the waist and be visible from all sides). A good flashlight. Hunting weapon to include – rifle, muzzleloader, shotgun, bow, crossbow.

Q. What caliber rifle do I need?

A. We recommend a 30 caliber bullet, 150 gr. at minimum.

Q. Do I need a gun case?

A. Yes. We recommend you bring a SOFT GUN or BOW SHEATH during the hunt for transportation to and from the hunting area.

Q. What size broad head can I use?

A. All broad heads must be 7/8 inch in width or more.

Q. When can I arrive and when do we start hunting?

A. Plan your arrival for Saturday between 12 noon and 3:00 pm. Your hunt will begin on Sunday at 2:00 pm. and hunt until one half hour after sunset (about 9:15 pm).

Q. Do you have ground blinds?

A. Yes, we do. Our ground blinds are set up with great care and offer a shot of around 50 yards.

Q. How tall are your tree stands and what are they made of?

A. All of our tree stands are ladder stands, steel constructed and sit fourteen feet high. Each stand has its own shooting rail and curtain.

Q. How far will my shot be?

A. Our bow shots are measured at 20 yards. Our rifle shots are set up around 50 yards.

Q. How big is your hunting area and how many bait sites do you have?

A. Our hunting area consists of about 1200 square miles and we maintain up to 50 hunting sites.

Q. Do you have a rifle and archery range?

A. Yes, we do.

Q. Can I use a Therma-Cell?

A. This is a tricky one. Though I have seen therma-cells work, just remember that the success of your hunt relies mostly on the scent you are putting out in that are (Less is more).

Q. How big of a cooler do I need for my bear?

A. Included in your hunting package – all of your meat is deboned, wrapped and frozen. Your average bear will yield up to 70 pounds of meat. Your hide will be frozen for transport. We recommend a 60 quart cooler per bear.

Q. Do you have a taxidermist?

A. No we don’t. Your hide will be frozen for transportation. Your export permit can be purchased at Flint Wilderness Resort.

Q. What is the weather like?

A. The spring hunt can be cold and averages between 39 degrees F. and 62 degrees F. We recommend cold weather gear. The fall hunt can be very nice weather and average between 50 degrees F and 75 degrees F. Always be prepared for a rainy day.

Q. What is there to do after I get my bear?

A. The hunt includes the full fishing package to enjoy excellent walleye, northern pike and perch fishing.

Q. How do I tip my guide and staff?

A. The gratuity or tipping averages about 10% – 15% of the cost of your hunt for guide and staff. The guides and staff at Flint Wilderness Resort are much appreciative of gratuities.

When preparing for your bear hunt, keep in mind the bear’s sense of smell is 1700 times greater than us humans. The objective to sitting in the stand is to be odorless (no cover scents with an odor). “Scent Shield” is highly recommended.