We only hunt black bear the first three weeks of September and our slots fill up fast. We operate on a first come first serve basis. A 50% deposit is required to book your black bear hunt and will not be put on the calendar until we receive the deposit. The remainder is due upon arrival. Deposits are non refundable if you cancel after June 15. You must apply for a lottery draw from the Minnesota DNR for area 25 before May 1 of each calendar year. We have not had a hunter yet not get a Minnesota black bear hunting tag.

Package #1
5 day semi guided hunt is our standard package. Meals and licensing are not included. Included is several active bait sites, hotel stay, recovery, professional skinning (I also run a full service taxidermy studio www.gannonridgetaxidermy.com and can offer you fist class quality or prepare your trophy for your personal taxidermist), meat processing and a walk in freezer is also available to store your trophy. $1600 ($800 deposit) 

Package #2
5 day semi guided hunt includes several active bait sites, recovery, and walk in freezer to store you trophy. Some of my clients like to plan out there own accommodations and look at some of the resorts on our beautiful Rainy lake or haul a camper and stay at a campground. Some like to cut and wrap there own meat. It’s your hunt and it’s your choice. $1200 ($600 deposit)

Package #3
Is package #1 daily at $320 per day. 3 day minimum. Or package #2 daily at $240 per day. 3 day minimum.  Any additional days beyond 5 days will require notice to us so we can prepare and additional deposits are required.

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REFERENCES:

My first Minnesota bear hunt!  I recently called on an ad in Bear Hunting Magazine for a Minnesota fall bear hunt.  I had always thought Minnesota had a very restrictive lottery for bear tags similar to my home state of Wisconsin but non-residents are nearly 100% draw in some hunting units.   When Bob Christianson from Gannon Ridge Taxidermy and Minn Black Bear adventures picked up the phone I was pleasantly surprised.  Normally I rely on a strong referral when looking for an outfitter, but this was to be a last minute booking and I was willing to roll the dice.  His price was right and his honesty, knowledge and teamwork approach was immediately evident.  Being unfamiliar with the area, Bob had me on a bait with a huge boar in the area.   I was there to take a trophy and was willing to go home with a tag in my pocket.   Despite the unseasonable heat wave and dry conditions, Bob's bait sights were expertly placed and I had a smart old 300+ pounder in my lap day-1.  Although a bow shot was not presented, and the rest of the week was spent passing on smaller bear and trying to out smart this old bruin, my trip was awesome.  I met a new outfitter and gained a new friend.   My lodging was next door to Bob's taxidermy shop and it doesn't get more convenient than that.    He also has plans for a new cabin and I'm looking forward to this year's return trip.   Bob's phone and email communication's leading up to the hunt helped build the suspense and anticipation.  With almost daily baiting reports and game cam photos, it was like the hunt was lasted for 3 weeks.  This year I plan to mail a couple of my game camera's in advance to add to Bob's bait site surveillance.   As a meticulous taxidermist, Bob also prepares the hides in expert fashion for your own taxidermist or will mount your trophy without fear of shipping your hide to an unknown tannery since he prepares and tans his own bear hides.   After the Packers disappointing NFC Championship loss, this falls return trip to International Falls can't come soon enough! 
Mark Rufledt - Greenbay Wisconsin