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A short description of our services.
Should you require more detail, e-mail me or client references (see below.)
Lark Ritchie's Experiences hunts near Timmins, Ontario.
Here's a quick summary: Details are here
We are recognized by North American Hunt Club, and other
sporting groups in America. We think we're one of the best bear
camps in Ontario, and our long term statistics go a long way in
arguing that claim.
We run hunting camps, and not resorts. Our
setups are what we call "Outpost Conditions", clean and safe,
but on the rustic side. If you want a good, hard working bunch
of Guides who do the hunt for their own satisfaction, manage game
for the long term, with better than average success, then you have
to consider us.
Hunt Plans:
On the American plan, we provide and arrange lodging and meals.
Each of the plans may hunt different sections within our Bear
Management Areas (BMA's).Those that have hunted with us in the
past receive a discount on either of the above packages.
Our third offering is an Independent Hunt. It is only open to a crew lead by
a client who has been with us previously, and who has demonstrated the skills
to handle himself and the crew in a very capable manner. Special
arrangements are necessary for this plan. You would be more or less
on your own, spike camp style. We provide initial stand preparation
(2 stands per hunter) for one week in advance and supply bait and
advice during the hunt week. We have a prepared campsite with a 12 X 14
Cook-tent setup, and area for your own sleep tents/trailers. Personal
guide services is not be a feature of this one. This tent base is
located in isolated areas and would average groups of six to eight.
We are very protective and careful offering this one. Our main concern
is your safety, our reputation, your tracking skills and recovery
of hit game.
2002 Rates and Deposits: 2003 Rates and Deposits:
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Considering that since 1988, by law, every non resident bear hunter is required to use the services of a registered Bear Hunting Lodge or Bear Hunting guide, our 19 year sucess rate is overall 75%, with many seasons over the 80% mark. Measured by hunters choosing to take an animal, we sit at 94.2 % over 19 years. We think these are impressive results.
Compared to the recent game Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources harvest statistics( Wildlife Surveys & Records for the Northern Region of Ontario, show a total of 3334 non-resident hunters harvesting 1048 bear or a success rate of 31.4 %), we have an overall success ratio more than twice the region average... We also do quite well when compared to the overall Ontario Provicial success rate of 32.7% for non-resident hunters, and 15.1% for resident bearhunters. (These are numbers you will never see from the anti hunters!!!)
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources documented provincial overall annual success rates for resident and non-resident bear hunters for past years are around 13.7% and 32.6% respectively.
The bottom line is that the documented, normal Ontario-wide, success rate for non-resident when using a bear hunting lodge or guide sits at about 3.2 bears per 10 hunters.
Lark Ritchie,
P.O. Box 475,
Porcupine Ontario,
Canada P0N 1C0
The balance of your fee will be due on your arrival.
Each hunt is limited:
American Plan, maximum of fourteen persons;
Safari Plan, maximum of sixteen persons.
Those who are not physically fit because of heart disease, serious chronic or contagious illness, physically handicapped, pregnancy, or infirmity are recommended not to participate in such a hunt.
Hunt prices are set the previous September. The effects of inflation, the prices we pay for fuel, labour, equipment, etc. sometimes alter the cost of a particular hunt. We regret that we cannot simply absorb these cost increases. We must reserve the right to alter our prices accordingly whenever these costs require such alteration. However, we guarantee that within six weeks of your scheduled hunt there will be no increase for any reason providing full payment has been made.
Accomodations are always "tent outpost" conditions, and consequently, private quarters are not available.
Should you for some reason be forced to cancel your reservation, we will allow the deposit to transferred to a person taking your place provided that s/he complies with the terms of the original reservation agreement. Refunds due to a cancellation of a reserved hunt are strictly limited as follows:
1. If we receive written notice prior to 120 days of the scheduled start date, a refund equal to fifty percent of your individual deposit will be made.
2. If we receive written notice less than 120 days of the scheduled start date, the deposit will be forfeited due consideration given that we have forgone other economic opportunities and have incurred costs through the handling of the reservation.
3. Should you cancel while the hunt is in progress, no refunds will be made.
4. Should you cancel, we reserve the right to fill your reservation with another person from our waiting list or previous client list.
Currency Exchange Rates
U.S. dollars are currently worth more than Canadian dollars. When you pay in American dollars, we convert the amount to Canadian dollars at the time of deposit in our bank, or the receipt of cash. Deposits or balanced received in American dollars are recorded at 3 points above the going exchange rate and credited to your account. This 3 point difference is considered our costs and buffer against daily fluctuations in the dollar. Should you wish to avoid confusion, make out a postal money order in Canadian funds when sending your deposit, and when entering Canada, exchanging your money for Canadian dollars at the border.
A confirmation of your reservation and statement of the amount (in Canadian Dollars) due upon your arrival is sent to you on receipt of your deposit. We will also send you a confirmation package including Maps, Hunt Equipment List, Hunting Regulations Summary, and Statement of your account, and answers to any questions you may have included with your reservation.
Accomodations:
Always "Tent outpost conditions", and consequently private quarters are not available. Sleeping arrangements are four persons per tent/cabin.
Meals:
On the American Plan, three man-sized meals per day. Lunches are provided should you plan an all-day sit. Breakfast at 8:30 a.m, our big meal at 2:30 p.m. and alighter meal after the evening's hunting (approximately11:00 p.m.).
On the Safari plan, an evening lunch of soup and sandwiches in our common area dining tent.
Reservation Package: On receipt of your deposit, we will mail you a statement of account, a set of Ontario road maps, game laws, personal equipment list, and area literature.
Pre-arrival Booking of motel on the Saturday prior to your hunt week. Please state your wish and the number of persons and rooms required.
Feeler Baits
These are put out prior to, and during the course of the hunt at sites where
bear have been sighted, or likely to show up. Blinds are then prepared on an
ad-hoc basis. A guide may recommend moving you to such a bait only if he
considers the odds "better than average". In most cases this will not be
done until a bait has been hit regularly.
We do not encourage 'bait-jumping' (moving for the sake of moving) - this reduces chances of taking a bear. If you're concerned about your stand, we ask you to discuss this with your guide or camp leader. We can give you our reasoning behind the choice of stands. If you then desire a change, you're the boss, you've paid the shot, we'll explain the trade-offs and risks, and be pleased to move you, although we reserve the right to cover your stand with another hunter. Should we have a particularly bad week, (few or no bear) various strategies will be applied. (Note: Bears cannot be pulled out of hats!)
Guiding, Pre-Hunt and Regular Baiting and Checking, scouting for new bait sites, rain or shine, day or night tracking and skinning. In addition, the coaching (presentations, slide shows, and daily discussions) required to put you at ease in the wilderness, and prepare you for the hunt.
Equipment.
Boats, trailers, outboard motors are available for your use at reasonable rates. Please reserve one day in advance.
A selection of rifles, ammunition and hunting equipment available should you experience a problem.
Mike Moyer's Bow Bear (An Encounter With The Wild Side)
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Preparation Notes for Your Trip
...Or These References
Barb & Otis Farmer, Ohio
Tom Baker, Michigan
Gary Wray, Alabama
Walter Hines, Tennessee
Mike Moyer, Indiana
Ed Aldridge, Ohio
Ted Vitali, Missouri
Terry Sullivan, Kentucky
Mike Whalen, Kentucky
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Ethical Hunting
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since June 17, 1998.
