I went on a bear hunt last year with 3 rivers guide service with buddies and wanted to post of my experience. Based on my years of hunting/business experience this is my opinion:

1. They were unable to keep bear consistant on the bait ( I dont think the played the quantity/type right)
2. No cameras on barrels (they said they had used them before season, but we all know bears change habbits)
3. We were promised a private cabin...when we got there we had to sleep in the lodge with everyone else
4. Were advised of a 75% kill rate (I know its hunting), but talking to people that were there before, this was not true in previous years either.
5. We were bait hunting, but the dogs run by the same outfitter were in the same area and ended up in our bait sites, only reason we knew is because we happened to be out riding around.
6.Guide has regular "clients" (Friends) who magically ended up on kill sites.

I will never return. I know they go out to the sports show, so I just wanted to get this info out on the web for people searching their name.

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I stay with those guys to hunt hare in March, this will be our 4th year. They have never steered us wrong.

Well sir I don't argue they are nice people. However there is a huge difference between rabbits and bear. Plus when you are there he isn't running multiple clients for big game. His hound hunting bears conflicts with over bait. You don't put a guy on a bear bait site that you had a pack of dogs battle in the same week... If anyone wants to know the truth of what they do and why it's wrong they can PM me. Speaking of which I forgot to mention he promised three of us that we could dog hunt for the same price but that also changed when we showed up. I'm not one bitter person three ppl can confirm this And I know the other guys in camp all had the same stories of lies. It's taken six months of reflection before I posted, I have had a lot of time to make these conclusions. They may be the worlds best rabbit lodge but lack quality for bear.

I have hunted in Maine for bear the last two years and plan on going back again this year. I do not know of this particular outfitter, but I am familiar with Maine hunting laws. Hunting over bait and hunting with dogs are two seperate seasons and do not overlap! If you are looking for a great bear hunt in Maine over bait or with dogs, Oxbow Lodge rocks! Chad and the gang have their stuff together and make you feel like you are at home.

The third week overlaps for bait, which is the first week to run dogs. I will never go back to maine to hunt bear over buckets (just found I didn't enjoy it) buck regardless of the outfitter I wouldn't go in an overlap if they offer both. You don't know where or how far dogs run bear and I think it generally screw the baits for bait hunts. Then again these clowns were surprised a bear they jumped less than a mile from our bait sites ran through them.... So they lacked professional judgement as well.

@Bob...from Maine's website..yese there is overlap:

•Hunting with Bait - August 27, 2012 through September 22, 2012 (Bait can be placed beginning July 28, 2012)
•Hunting with Dogs - September 10, 2012 through October 26, 2012

Some folks like bait hunts for bear...Not me...The spot & stalk hunt in BC featured all day action and we did see bears all day.Over 40 in a week and you could take your pick as to color and size,,very exciting and complete....I'd gladly save up and do this type of hunt over a Maine hunt where you would be more likely to shoot any legal bear as long as you saw one.

A word to the wise..At the Outdoor show, an outfitter will tell you what you want to hear so keep that in mind!

Gotta agree with Big Ken on this, for the most part. There are good, bad and ugly outfitters out there. Unfortunately, my experience is that they will tell you what ever you want to hear just to get you to book. Nowadays, I do more research then talking. Statistics don't lie but liars use statistics.