Bear Hunting on Vancouver Island

Discover everything you need to know about bear hunting on Vancouver Island, including the best seasons, top locations, trusted outfitters, and important regulations. We’re here to guide you toward a safe, ethical, and rewarding hunting experience in British Columbia.

Canada is home to two bear species: black bears and grizzly bears. While grizzly bear hunting is permitted in the Yukon, it is prohibited in British Columbia, including Vancouver Island. Although there have been occasional sightings of grizzly bears on northern Vancouver Island in recent years, there is no open season for grizzlies in BC. Always exercise caution in bear territory and confirm regulations before hunting.
British Columbia boasts one of the largest black bear populations in the world, with approximately 120,000 black bears, including over 7,000 on Vancouver Island. This high density makes Vancouver Island a premier destination for black bear hunting, particularly during the spring and fall seasons. These seasons provide optimal opportunities as bears are active after hibernation and preparing for winter.

The 10,000-year-old remains of black bears on Vancouver Island suggest that these animals have evolved separately from their mainland counterparts. Today, the Island's abundant black bear population, combined with its stunning wilderness, makes it a popular destination for hunters seeking an exceptional experience.

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• Approximately one-quarter of all black bears in Canada live in British Columbia.
• Vancouver Island is home to over 7,000 black bears.
• It is possible to encounter bears exceeding 2 meters (7 feet) in size.
• Black bears are less aggressive than grizzly bears, making encounters less dangerous but still requiring caution.
• Hunting on Vancouver Island provides access to over 9,065 sq km (3,500 sq miles) of diverse landscapes.

Black bears on Vancouver Island are commonly found in areas such as clear cuts, berry patches, lower elevations near streams, and hardwood forests. Popular hunting locations include Tofino, Ucluelet, Campbell River, and Port Alberni. For now, the management units (MU) or the hunting areas designated by BC regulation for hunting black bears are 1-1 to 1-15 on the region 1 (Vancouver Island) map. But hunters should be aware of no hunting and shooting areas on Vancouver Island.
Locating black bears' feeding areas can be considered a leading way to hunt bears. Black bears' feeding areas vary, including berry patches, dead livestock, apple orchards, and carrion. They live in woodlands, and conflicts arise when they seek.
Black bears are opportunistic eaters. Their diet mostly consists of roots, grasses, berries, and insects. Fish, mammals, and even carrion are also their favourite food. Since they have a taste of human food or garbage, bears sometimes break into cabins, campsites, or country homes which causes dangerous contact. Since their diet is as mentioned, they might be found around streams and bodies of water, woodlands, cherry farms, and high plateaus.
According to Black Bears in British Columbia, hunting is prohibited in all national parks, ecological reserves, and some provincial parks. Also, it is illegal to shoot any two-year-old or younger bear or any bear in its company, usually its mother.

The spot and stalk method of hunting needs experienced hunters who can identify animal tracks and signs that help hunters know if there has been an animal recently. Most of the hunters prefer tracking their game instead of waiting for the game to draw to them.
Hunters choosing the bow hunting option are more inclined to track their game than rifle hunters. This is mainly for the bows being quieter and less likely to spook the game in case of the hunter's failure.
Spot and stalk hunters are required to use sparse and lightweight equipment since they should carry everything on their trip. A skilled tracker can almost guarantee to see the game.

Vancouver Island bear hunting may vary in price depending on duration, hunting methods, licence, tags, services, guide, and tax. But the cost may begin at $3,000.

According to Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis, non-resident and non-resident alien hunters are required to be accompanied by a guide outfitter, assistant guide outfitter or a holder of a permit to accompany at all times when hunting big game, regardless of the type of licence (restricted or unrestricted) they have.

To experience a successful hunting tour:
1- Plan for it in advance.
2- Choose the areas where you intend to hunt for your trophy bear hunts.
3- Apply for and obtain the necessary licence.
4- Select the right outfitter.
An outfitted hunting trip is not only for unskilled hunters. Hiring a professional outfitter or guide helps you access the best bear hunting areas and new vistas of outdoor adventure.