Taylor Blanchette British Columbia, Canada
Taylor Blanchette British Columbia, Canada
Canada Spring Bear Hunt
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1The snow has melted, and the weather is warming up. The long winter is over and the bears are coming out of hibernation. Patience is the name of the game when it comes to bear hunting. Both waiting for the right bear and the right shot angle are vital whether hunting over bait or spot and stalk. Mid-day rain is a possibility and the hordes of hungry mosquitos are a guarantee. Bringing the proper gear will keep you in the field or stand longer increasing your chances of bagging that trophy black bear you've always dreamed of.
Location: Saskatchewan and British Columbia | Pursuit: Black Bear | Season: Early Spring
May contain sponsored links*Optics
The optics I choose give me maximum versatility and are capable of handling any hunting situation. the optics i use go with me on every hunt regardless of species, season or location.
Maven B.2 9x45 Binoculars
Exceptional optical quality and low light performance for the price. Excellent value.
Marsupial Gear Enclosed Binocular Pack
Marsupial enclosed bino case with range finder pouch, small accessory pouch and marsupial bear spray holster.
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Swarovski ATS 65mm Spotting Scope
Exceptional quality and reputation and you get what you pay for.
Vanguard VEO 2 235CB w/ Ball Head
Light and compact and capable of glassing while standing.
Sig Sauer KILO2000 Rangefinder
Budget friendly but has never failed me. This rangefinder has been discontinued but they still offer a wide variety of other rangefinder options to choose from.
S1 SPOTTING SCOPE ADAPTER-S1
I haven't used it much but I think it will be a staple for my Digi scoping going forward.
Leupold Lens Pen
Dust from logging roads is hard on optics so you have to keep them clean for when you need them most.
Backpacks & Gear
Whether I'm hunting logging roads spot and stalk in BC or sitting in a tree stand over bait in Saskatchewan. My gear needs to be organized and ready to go whenever I need.
Kuiu Pro Hunting Pack Kit 3600
I love the size of this bag, I think this is the perfect bag for day trips and I think this size is perfect for the icon pro frame platform
Knives
Kifaru Logo Tyto Knife
This is my backup knife; it's always in my bino harness.
Lights
PETZL, e+LITE Emergency Headlamp
This is my backup headlamp that is always in my bino harness.
Streamlight MicroStream Flashlight
This flashlight is always in my kill kit.
Safety & First Aid
Garmin InReach Mini
The Garmin inReach Mini is essential for all backcountry adventures.
Kill Kit
Bahco Folding Pruning Saw
This saw is amazing and I take it with me on any hunt where weight isn't a factor- it cuts through trees with ease.
Accessories
Lil' Dog Predator Call
I keep a small predator call with me. I have used this call to stop moving bears or to pull them out of cover and into the open.Tree Stands & Accressories
When hunting over bait in a tree stand in Saskatchewan, I use Elevate Hang on stands which I believe are discontinued. These stands have always worked great for me and next year I am planning on trying the new Novix Helo stands to save weight.
Trail Cameras
Dark Ops HD Pro X
This camera is reliable, takes clear photos, and is always used inside browning trail camera lock boxes.
Thermacell MR300 Portable Mosquito Repeller
Probably the most essential piece of spring bear hunting gear whether in the tree in Saskatchewan or sitting on logging roads in BC.
Camping Equipment
MSR Hubba Hubba 2 Person Backpacking Tent
When weight isn't a factor and bugs are bad, I prefer a standard-style tent with a mesh liner.
Enlightened Equipment Revelation 30 Degree Wide Quilt
An extremely light and highly versatile mild weather quilt.
Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Extreme Cold-Weather Insulated Sleeping Pad, Tapered
The most comfortable early season pad I've tried.
Nitecore NB10000 Battery Pack
Lightest 10000mah battery pack you can always use extra battery when doing all day sits in the tree stand.
Anker Bluetooth Life P3 Earbuds
Podcasts and eBooks make those all day sits more bearable.
Toaks 750ML Titanium Pot
Always in my pack, crazy light, fits small gas canister and Soto Windmaster stove.
Sabre Frontiersman Bear Spray
A must when in bear country, I keep mine in my Marsupial bear spray holster on the bottom of my Marsupial Enclosed bino harness.
Food & Nutrition
It doesn't matter if I'm on a hunt or in my day-to-day life. I eat healthy, I want to feel my best, especially while on a hunt. While bear hunting weight isn't a factor so I bring healthy delicious snacks I can eat throughout the day or to pass the time on long sits in the tree stand.
Snacks & Bars
Freeze Dried Meals
Peak Refuel - They are my go to, they are the healthiest and tastiest meals that require less water and hydrate more efficiently then any other I've tried.
Starbucks VIA Instant Coffee
Gotta have coffee.
GSI Outdoors - Microlite Water Bottle, Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel, Flip Lid
Lightest insulated bottle, Keep cold drink cold or coffee hot, perfect for all day sits in the stand.
Clothing
When bear hunting in the spring, mosquito and sun protection are the most important things to consider.
Baselayers
Sitka Core Lightweight Hoody
This hoody has a built-in mask, which is awesome for keeping bugs off.
Sitka Core Lightweight Bottom
These bottoms are rarely needed but they're light enough to bring anyways.
Insulation/ Midlayers
Kuiu Peleton 97 Fleece Zip-T Hoodie
Highest warmth to weight ratio, perfect for cool days over baselayer.
Kuiu Peleton 240 Full Zip Hoodie
The staple in my kit, comes with on every hunt, just warm enough and quiet for sitting in treestand.
Outerwear
Kuiu Kenai Hooded Jacket
Rarely needed but light enough to bring anyways.
Pants
Kuiu Kutana Stretch Woven Pants
Light weight but tough pant, my favorite early season pant and provides mosquito protection.
Rain Gear
Helly Hansen Impertech Waterproof Jacket
I use a Helly Hanson Impertech rain jacket on all my hunts, i do think it is too heavy duty for bear hunts and I will be looking into more lightweight raingear options like the Sitka Flash.
Footwear
Superfeet Hunt Merino Insoles
These are amazing but unfortunately discontinued.
Accessories
You don't need much in terms of warmth but you need concealment and mosquito protection.
Ben's InvisiNet Xtra with Insect Shield
I hate Mosquitoes
Kuiu Axis Gloves
You don't need much for warmth just protection from the bugs.
Kuiu Peleton 97 Fleece Beanie
So light it always stays in my pack.
Kuiu Ultra Merino Neck Gaiter
Always in my back so versatile.
Firearms
Archery Equipment
Accurate, Quiet and Lethal
Bow
Bowtech Reign 7
Rifle Equipment
When it comes to shooting bears with a rifle I believe a big heavy bonded bullet that punches two holes is very important and larger .30 caliber bullets kill the most effectively.
Tikka T3 .300 WSM
Tikkas are an accurate high value rifle that is in a price range that accessible for everyone.
Luepold vx3I 4.5-14x40mm
My favorite do all rifle scope, a high performance lightweight choice.
Leupold Aluminum Flip Up Scope Caps
I have a set on all of my Leupold scopes, expensive but worth it.
Taylor Blanchette British Columbia, Canada
*NOTE: The links to purchase certain products I recommend in this gear list may result in me being paid a small commission. I appreciate your support!