Conference vmsnet::hunting$note:hunting

    
        You may want to check out a copy of the Maine Sportsman mag. There
    are several Bear Guides that advertise in it. There are a couple that
    have guaranteed hunts with a "NO Bear No Pay" slogan. I am sure they
    are talking "NO Pay" for the guide and not the food and lodging. I'll
    look up a couple of ads and get the info to you if you would like.

     I can highly recommend a fellow named Perley Eastman, located in
    Ashland Maine. I don't have his tel. # or address right here, but
    you can get Perley's number from directory assistance.
     We've stayed with Perley for about the last four deer seasons, and
    have found his place to be very reasonable. (Last year we paid $35 a
    day for the camp plus meals...had full use of the lodge, hot showers,
    etc. Prices will probably be higher this year)
     Perley's main thrust is bear hunting. I'm sure guide services will
    be extra, as there's more labor intensive stuff involved with the
    stand maintenance, bait, etc. I've never asked about costs associated
    with bear hunts, so I won't venture a guess. We basically use him for
    lodging while deer hunting, rather than actual guide services, although
    he's not short on advice or information.
     Perley also used to work for the state in the field with the
    biologists, so he knows his way around the woods and the critters
    he's after.
     I know how hard it is to pick a guide based on advertisements alone...
    Good luck.
    
    Bob Cabral

     OOPS!!! sorry to confuse you in my last reply.... Last season we
    actually paid $35 a day which INCLUDED MEALS! Sounds almost too good
    to be true, don't it?
     I expect it'll be up around $45 - $50 per day this year. Last year,
    although he realized that he was barely breaking even before we got
    there, he still held fast to his originally quoted price.
    
    Bob

    RE:0 / Guns in Canada
    
     First, handguns are strictly VERBOTEN!! Leave them at home, and don't
    even THINK about trying to sneak them into Canada. It's not worth the
    pain and agony.
     I took a trip into New Brunswick for deer one year, and crossed the
    border at Vanceboro, Maine. We stopped at the US customs side and
    filled out a form with our firearm descriptions & serial numbers, along
    with any other big ticket items such as cameras, etc. This form was
    for proof of ownership primarily to get the guns BACK into the US, and
    not have to go through hoops proving we didn't buy them outside the
    country.
     Once we crossed the bridge into Canada and stopped at the Canadian
    customs, we simply told them we were there to hunt, and had firearms.
    (we answered NO to the "Got any handguns" question). Answered more
    questions regarding alcoholic beverages, etc, which were all standard
    customs stuff. 
     Coming back into the US was a little more detailed. Once they saw that
    we had the appropriate paperwork for firearms & other big ticket items,
    the rest was once again the standard customs questions regarding large
    amounts of cash, plants/seeds, and alcohol. We didn't have to worry
    about the alcohol on the way back, due to the fact that it had all
    somehow evaporated while we were in camp. 8-)
     All in all, pretty easy. I would suggest if you have any real
    concerns, to get hold of Canadian customs yourself to get specifics.
    They're really helpful...and believe it or not, pleasant.
    
    Bob
    
    P.S. It should go unsaid that customs stops (either side) are not the
    place to show your buddies how easily you can make some government
    worker look like a dufus. 

    
    Here's the info for Perley Eastman:
    
    Perley Eastman Jr. (State of Maine Licensed Guide)
    R.D. 1,
    Ashland, ME 
    
    (207) 435-4802
    
    -Hunting
    -fishing
    -canoeing
    -ice fishing
    -out camps or lodge with accomodations

RE: .0

 I can second the Perley Eastman recommendation.

 The guy is tops.
                 

    I just got back from a week at Perley's place, you were right Pereley
    is a real good guy.  It was $550.00 a week for bear hunting, he had
    about 35 stands, all showed sign of bear (the bait was gone every
    morning).  The bears were hitting the places after dark.  I got one
    shot off Saturday at around 6:30 but missed (the last minute of the
    last day).  I am on my way to Riley's to get a scope, this week, I
    won't miss next year.  I never realized how dark it got in the woods
    when you stay right up to the half hour after sun set.   
    All in all I had a good time and am planning on going back for another
    bear hunt next fall.  
    
    Perley took us out Moose calling one night, he is really into Moose
    calling and hunting.  
    
    Perley knows the Maine woods and the cridders in them really well.
    
    Ashland is up there some, 390 miles from Boston, what beautiful
    country.
    
    Paul