2022 Maine bear over bait was so much fun we cannot wait till this fall. The Booth Boys are returning for our Maine Bear over Bait hunt. Don't miss your opportunity to join us and see why hunters keep coming back to Russell pond Camps!
Several good Moose were killed and we had lots of returning camp rentals with good success. Grouse hunting has been excellent the past few years. Plan to book well in advance for prime grouse season spots as always we welcome hunting dogs in Camp. We are looking forward eagerly to the 2023 moose and whitetail deer seasons.
Joe and I will be Headed out to do shows this winter to meet people and talk about hunts we offer in Maine and Idaho. We would like to meet as many folks as we can, both past and future clients alike. Come on out and meet us! See for yourselves why people rebook with us over 80% of the time.
Thank you for visiting our website and for your interest in Maine bear hunting and all things North Maine Woods. We are a serious, seasoned outfitted bear hunt guides with years in this remote exclusive vast location; with 1000's of satisfied hunters over the years. Please review the information here and let us know if you have any questions. Our guided bear over bait hunt in Maine is a terrific experience with high success rates.
Maine bear hunts are available in 2023 and 2024. Look to the 30th of August and the 12th of September Hound hunts are available the 12th and 19th of September. Bearover bait guided hunts include all meals lodging and guide service for $2100 per hunter we offer a youth discount with adult hunters so call and ask to make this great family trip a reality.
Fully Guided deer hunts are available for will focus on the weeks of the 8th and 15th of November 2023. Guided Maine Deer hunts includes all meals lodging and guide services. Russell Pond Camps also rents a limited amount of housekeeping cabins to experienced hunters on their own..
If you are Lucky enough to pull a Moose tag in units 4, 8 or 9 call us, we know where the big bulls are! Our guided Moose hunting is very successful. We also rent camps for Moose and Grouse hunting throughout the varied seasons.
Deer hunts for Northern Maine giants are conducted in November. We offer fully guided deer hunts at $2100.00 We have many faithful hunters who consider our camp "theirs". We use stand, still-hunting and tracking methods and perseverance is the key to success on these elusive trophies. Guided hunters may look for 50 to 75 success, on BIG Mature bucks which are good odds in this area. Incidental bear hunting is allowed at this time and the hunt can be a combination opportunity especially the first week as bears seek their dens soon after that. The November bear tag must be purchased with the Big Game hunting license required for rifle deer hunting.
Our camp is about 4 hours from Bangor and 5.5 to 6 hours from Portland. Portland is serviced by more airlines and has less expensive car rentals so it may be the better choice. We do not pick up at the airport. If you fly in you must rent a vehicle. You can make it to camp in a car and (if you drive slowly on the 55 or so miles of improved dirt roads) should have no problem. Take the Golden road west from Greenville road or Millinocket to the NMW Caribou check in gate or East (right) from above Pittston NMW check in gate and take a Left from Pittston way or a right from Caribou way, up on the 490 road and come 13 miles and there we are. Right on the shore of Russell Pond.
We have had a terrific bear seasons these passed few years 2020 was awesome despite covid and 17,18 and 19 had close to 80% overall kill rates 2015 & 2016 ended up with a 90% shot opportunity and great kill rate, last fall Jimmy Lickey shot a really big one and we had a great hunt. 2014, 2013 and 2012 went very well too. Back in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 we had increasingly higher shot opportunity percentage the first and second weeks than ever before. 2011 was a tough year for all Maine black bear outfitters and hunters with all the natural food. The Good News is we took 100's of pictures of fat, happy bears that went to den ready for our 2012 hunters who capitalized on the opportunity.
We certainly specialize in youth hunters. In recent years we even had over 10 kids under 12 and under with their dads kill bear and miss one. We are very proud of our Junior Hunters! In fact, we value our future of hunting so much that kids under 16 accompanying full priced hunters receive a special discount - call 208 582 1886 to make that dream hunt for you and that child come true. Now kids of ALL ages can hunt in Maine.
both the Bear and Deer fully guided hunts are and EXCELLENT value! A check mailed priority is the best way to go. We also offer Credit Card payments through Paypal on the make a payment page of this website. 3% cc fee will apply The deposit is $700 per hunter to reserve space and then in May of the year prior to the hunt another $700 per hunter is due. Final payment in full is due by July 15th year of the hunt. Deer hunts fully guided are $2100. deposit of $700 per person is required to reserve the hunt a second deposit of $700 in May and balance in full due 30 days prior to the start of the hunt.
Please do not hesitate to call or text 208 582 1886 direct if you would like to book a spot or need more information.
We offer high quality hunting and recreation opportunities from our lodge, 70 miles from either Greenville or Millinocket behind the North Maine Woods gate system. There are over 4 million acres of undeveloped working forest under this system. Our NR guests need to check in at the 24 hour gate and pay the access fee of $50 (reduced from NMW normal NR fees) per person (17-69) stay with us. We are located 200 feet from the shore of a Native Brook Trout fishery, which is fly equipment only. Many of the surrounding bodies of water (well within a short drive) allow liberal tackle. Baker Lake and 4th & 5th St. John now contain Muskie as well as the native trout.
Bear hunting over bait has always been a Russell Pond specialty. The season starts the Last Monday in August every year. We have exclusive bear baiting rights on about 430 square miles and maintain over 100 bait sites beginning as soon as the law allows. This gives bears the greatest time to establish a regular feeding patterns. This hunt is $1800 per person and that includes guiding, transportation to and from your stands, all lodging and 3 full meals per day. Success rates have been close to 80% overall and we do take many bow hunters. Fall bear hunters will not need bug netting. The only real bugs in the fall are the 'skeeters and they are not too bad (depending on your stand). We can and have accommodated groups up to 30 with notice but also welcome single hunters and often have guys come by themselves.
The current cost of license and bear permit is about $172.00; deer or big game license is $102 and currently includes incidental bear tag. The total hunt cost for 5 days of hunting and a 6-night stay for bear is $2100 this price includes transportation to baits and hide preparation for transport. Non Hunters may join hunters for $600 (based on availability) for bear or deer seasons. Gratuities for your guide and cook are not included in the price of the hunt and are encouraged but are at the discretion of the hunter. Please call us at 208 245 2458 my cel is 208 5821 1886 or email us at huntmaine@russellpondcamps.com
or ingacabral@gmail.com if you have any questions or would like to schedule your hunt.
Best Regards,
Joe & Inga Cabral
Russell Pond Outfitters
208 245 2458
