First Bear - Hillsport Hillton Outfitters

[mihunter68]

I wanted to write about my hunt and outfitter Gary Dorion of Hillsport Hillton Outfitters since they have been mentioned on this site. First and foremost Gary is very hospitable and accomodating. The onsite cabins are comfortable and clean. I chose the American Plan hunt which includes accomodations, meals during the week of your hunt, skinning and quartering of your bear by on site taxidermist Bob Parkey of The Wildlife Gallery in Indian River Mi.

On the first day of the hunt I was taken to my bait sites which were active since they started baiting bears on the first of June. I was worried I would not see any bears since the local blueberry crop was two weeks late and in full swing during the week of my hunt. The stands I used were solid and newly constructed within the last year.

My bait site was 8k off of a bush road in an old logging area. I knew there was a large bear frequenting the bait site since I had found some large tracks near the bait. On the third day of my hunt at approximately 8pm I heard some noise behind me. I remained motionless and after a few seconds looked over my shoulder and could not believe what I saw.....huge bear!!

The bear walked under my stand and headed for the bait site. I had brought my bow since I wanted to take a bear with my bow and got it ready. There were several piles of bear scat the size of pop cans about 20 yards from the stand so I put a Bear Bomb there hoping the bear would stop and check out the can so I could get a shot.

The bear walked up the Bear Bomb and stopped just as I had hoped but never turned for shot. A few moments later the bear walked to the bait site which was at 44 yards. I quickly put my bow down and grabbed my gun. Once the bear got the to bait site he finally turned broadside and looked at me. All I could see was his large belly and noted his ears were practically on the side of his head....for me a "no brainer bear" I did not have to take much time to judge this bear.

I watched the bear and waited for him to start eating. After a short time he turned broadside and gave me a perfect shot opportunity. I got ready settled in and fired. The bear ran from the bait into bush about twenty yards and started the death moan. I was jumping up and down after hearing the moan knowing the bear was down.

I used the satellite phone I was given (Mr Parkey's) and called the outfitter. A short time later help was on the way. Once we got back to camp, they have a game scale on site for accurate bears weights - no guessing here!!

My bear weighed 300lbs, was 5'04 and had an 18 3/8 skull. Unfortunately I do not know how to post photos or I would list mine.

I would recommend this outfitter to anyone, he has a great operation and is all about taking care of the hunter. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me. I know how hard it is to find a trustworthy outfitter and after this experience I trust this one.

Here are some of the statistics I copied off of his 2009 bear hunt staticstics:

14 hunters / 11 bears taken

Weights and some skull sizes:

301 lbs
305 lbs
311 lbs
315 lbs
330 lbs - 21 3/4 inch skull
160 lbs
140 lbs
350 lbs - 18 3/4 inch skull
300 lbs - 18 3/8 inch skull - MY BEAR!!
362 lbs - 18 3/8 inch skull
165 lbs

Here is the Hillsport Hillton contact information:

Gary Dorion @ (877) HILLTON or his website which I cannot post yet, but it has been listed on here this year.

During the week of our hunt the outfitter acquired a new bear manangement unit bringing his total to 500,000 bear manangement acres. He told us he will be offering hunts in 2010 from do it yourself hunts to the American plan style hunts.

He said he will be at many shows in Michigan this year starting in January at the Grand Rapids Show.

[dsconnell]

Congratulations man!!

Having hunted with Gary before I can also attest to the quality of hunting up there.. Crazy how deep them bears dig out some of the holes he feeds in isn't it!!

Which bait were you at?

[archryhunt]

Thanks for your post,it was really an interesting story to read on.
I'm glad your having a great time hunting for great bears.

It was such an achievement!

[mihunter68]

Thank you, yes is it is amazing how deep the holes can get. I think the one I was hunting over must have been three or four feet deep. I was hunting the last bait on the 300 road. Apparently you guys had cameras set up there when you there on your last trip if that helps you remember.

I spoke with Gary recently and learned more info about the new BMA I mentioned in my post. When I get more confirming info from him I will write another post pertaining to that BMA....it is another that has not been hunted for a long time.

[mihunter68]

If anyone is going to the show next weekend I will be there with my bear mount. 2 Paws River and a few others are going to stop by to check it out. It is a full mount and I will be seeing at the show myself for the first time as well. I will be at the Hillsport Hillton / Parkey's Taxidermy booth all weekend. Stop by and say hello.

Charlie

[2PawsRiver]

Not only did I get to see the pictures but I got the story first hand. He and another friend went this year and I got all his pictures and put a video together, it's on markandchrislundin.com on the hunting page. It gives a good cross section of their hunt.

http://markandchrislundin.com/Hunting.htm

If you're looking to go next year, especially if you're new to the sport, stop by and see him. I've known Charlie for years, down to earth, good ole Yooper, you won't find better company on a hunt and I know he's looking for guys to go next year.

This was my favorite..........nothing like the excitement of your first bear.



With this one you might recognize him.

[Tdoghockey9]

wow nice bear man

[DTrain]

Planning to stop by and see you at the show tomorrow Charlie!

[mihunter68]

Hey that sounds great....I will look forward to seeing you there. We have 6 bears on display from the 2009 season.

[2PawsRiver]

Hey Charlie, we're on our way, quick stop for breakfast and we will see you in a bit
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[mihunter68]

I would like to say thank you to everyone that stopped by the Hillsport Hillton booth over the weekend to see my bear mount. I appreciated all of your compliments.