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Wawang has always been synonymous with great trophies. We have also be recognized as one of the most photographed filled brag book holders amongst our peers. Believe me, when you have this much to be proud of, you want the world to see it 🙂
It is for this reason that we announce that we can now be found on Instagram! With so many photos of successful fishing and hunting, it just makes sense to share it with the world.
We have always lived by a principal here: Show me, don’t tell me! Join us and see what we can show you…..because remember, what you show, shows what you know!
Come on over and see our page WawangResort and tell us what you think!
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Planning a black bear hunt often a painstaking, long drawn out event that involves researching outfitters, contacting references, arranging for lodging and transportation, and choosing the proper weapon.
Most people must apply for tags by lottery depending on location, but did you know that if you go through an outfitter in Ontario, Canada you are GUARANTEED a tag?! With that in mind, let’s visit the outfitter planning phase.
North Western Ontario is renowned for not only population but size of black bear. In the last 3 years of our hunts, we have had 44 hunters. Of those 44, 33 harvested 6 spotted and passed up and 5 did not spot Pretty impressive stats. We go a step further when we can boast that over 45% were 300lb+ with 8 being over the 400lb mark and our record (taken last year) was 475lb (dressed weight) and squared out at 7′
Whether you choose an outfitter (suggested for first timers) or set up your own hunt, be prepared to start planning at least as early as a year prior. Do you have your area picked? Do you know the native food sources? What was the weather pattern like this hunt season? Were the bears active and what was the harvest from the season(s) prior to your arrival?
A good outfitter will have all of this information readily available as well as a list of references. That list should include people that did and did not get their bears. It should include multiple years and an honest overview. You need to know exactly what to expect when you arrive and during your hunt.
Patterning the animal by baiting is often preferred up here in the boreal forest as spot and stalk is very unlikely with our dense forest and thick canopy. The bonus to baiting is the ability to cull the size and sex necessary to help maintain and manage the population. Often times, in our area, those that spot and stalk often take the first animal they see as it may be the only one and most refuse to pass up the opportunity 😦
Baiting and sitting a stand may seem like a ‘canned hunt’ but as most can attest to, it can be a grueling experience that will test your fortitude. Most first time bear hunters assume (incorrectly) that if you feed them, they will come…..while that is often the truth, bears are as individual as people and even with food, there is no guarantee of compliance on the animal’s part….remember, you are dealing with a wild creature and trying in 14 days or less to train it to your will. Those that have children or pets know that training anything can be a very difficult task but consistency is key!
When planning your hunt, ensure that you are prepared for the task at hand. Don’t think that just because you showed up that the bear is going to get the memo. Be prepared to sit that stand! You cant harvest a bear from your cabin/tent/motel.
When you contact potential outfitters, ensure that they have answers to all of your questions and they are engaged with your plight. They should be just as focused on you getting a bear as you are. Your outfitter is your link to the area as well as in most cases in charge of ‘conditioning’ your bear prior to your arrival. A good outfitter will be promoting consistency with baiting (by example of course). We bait each and every day to ensure cycles and patterning is noted.
As mentioned earlier, bears are unpredictable to some extent and a bait that could have been hitting each time it was checked (hopefully daily) could quiet down for a day or two. Be patient, if you trust your outfitter they will help you through this phase and often have backup plans including alternate baits that may be still consistent. Ensure that your outfitter is the type that cares enough to keep up with you and your hunt and puts your success as a priority.
No hunt is guaranteed but what you can guarantee is that doing your homework can save you the disappointment of an unfulfilling hunt, bear or not!
Until next time….When the opportunity presents itself, Grin and Bear it!
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What is the Difference between Commercial Mounts (Client Mounts) and Competition Mounts (Display Mounts)
Written by Ron Shaefer
Trade shows and show rooms could be mounts they worked on just for show or something that have purchased from another taxidermist. That may not be what you get back. This is a very common. No matter how smooth the sales pitch is and what they say they can do. You want to see finished client mounts. Their finished work in the back room before it hits the display room is most likely what you will receive in return. Have the taxidermist point out what are their client’s mounts and what are display mounts or competition mounts.
When visiting a taxidermist ask why I should choose you over a different taxidermist. Let them tell you what they offer. You want someone to explain to you how they separate themselves from the rest. Then they can show you around their showroom that most likely is mixed with display pieces and pieces that are ready to be picked up by their clients. You can compare if their display is equal to the quality that leaves their studio. You may or may not want that type of quality. Ask if you can use a flashlight to check the quality of their work around the eyes and if the pupils are level, inside the nostrils, inside the ears or any shaded areas. After all most sales pitches are that, their quality supersedes the rest. Have them prove it. Have them point out their quality, not you trying to find it.
If a taxidermist knocks quality, they most likely do not have a lot in their mounts. Some may say you need to view it from 15 to 20 feet back. All though this may be true, you are just trying to determine if you are paying for the quality and not receiving it.
You will need to know the difference between a commercial mount vs. a competition mount. A commercial mount is what you the consumer will receive back. Your trophy is mounted and finished in a certain period of time in order for a taxidermist to earn a profit.
Stay tuned for Pt 3 How to understand quality in taxidermy
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So each year I have been asked by many of our hunters if we suggest a good taxidermist. Though we do have a few that we prefer, they may not be in the hunter’s area. While doing my research, I came across an absolutely wonderful article written by Ron Schaefer of Heads Above the Rest Taxidermy located in Clifton Texas. Take some time to check out some of their absolutely stunning work…..they really know what they are doing and are truly heads above the rest in the industry!
How to Choose a Taxidermist Pt. 1
By Ron Schaefer
So many hunters spend endless hours researching an outfitter or an area to hunt. Some plan for years. Hunters spend endless hours talking with their friends, checking referrals and dreaming. They even spend an enormous amount of money on hunting gear, new rifles and equipment to collect the trophy of a lifetime. Some spend quite a bit on hunting leases and hunting licenses, there are hunts that cost more than some people earn in a year’s time. Some hunters save their entire life for just one hunt. They plan to take time off from work, threaten their jobs, some even threaten their marriages or get into huge arguments with their spouse over their hunting. Nothing seems to stop them in their pursuit. Yet upon arrival from the hunt, many will choose a taxidermist by simply looking in a phone book for who is the most convenient, or a taxidermist being the least inexpensive! This results in unrealized expectations.
You should take as much time planning a hunt as choosing a taxidermist! Most often times even more! The investment you made collecting your trophy is a memory you want to remember for a lifetime. This is why you should carefully choose a taxidermist. What the taxidermist gives back to you is what you have to reflect back upon for the rest of your life. When walking through different trophy rooms it is shocking, what the hunter has to remember their hunts for the rest of their lives. The time to look for a taxidermist is long before hunting season or the hunt you plan to go on. If you wait until after the hunt, you do not have the time to shop around. Panic sets in and you usually will leave your trophy with the first taxidermist who is most convenient or least expensive without completing your research on them. If you ask a friend or a hunter, what taxidermist do you use? They may give you a referral to a taxidermist of lower quality; you may want a better quality of mount then referred.
Taxidermy is an art form. As with any artist, some are better than others.. Some people cannot draw a stick person. Some can draw something that looks like it can breathe. Some draw abstract and some can draw just…0kay. The same holds true in a taxidermist; not all taxidermists are artists. What each taxidermist sees through their eyes or mind is what they will give back to you. As you are looking and talking to different taxidermists, you will see many different opinions, some much stronger than others. These opinions may be one sided, or not what you imagined and you will also find some truly talented people. All of these opinions can be acceptable as long as this is what you are looking for. Here are some questions you need to ask yourself before choosing any taxidermist:
Try not to make a decision over the phone or price shopping without stopping in and seeing what you are actually buying. This is strongly encouraged that you visit as many studios that you can because there is a difference between all taxidermists! If you want quality in return then you will have to look for it. If you are at an outdoor convention or hunting show chances are there will be a taxidermist advertising at these events. You can ask questions and look at their work being displayed but do not make a decision until you visit their studio.
Stay tuned for Pt 2 The difference between commercial mounts and competition mounts….
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ON TARGET in CANADA 