Quick answer
Deep Country Lodge runs guided black bear hunts in central eastern Newfoundland with two options: baited hunts in the spring season and spot-and-stalk hunts in the fall. Newfoundland's 2026-27 island bear seasons run May 1 to July 15 in spring and September 12 to November 30 in fall, and each license allows two black bears. Non-resident hunters must book through a licensed outfitter, and the lodge is now booking for 2027 through 2030.
Why Hunt Black Bear in Newfoundland?
Newfoundland is one of the quietest big-bear secrets in North America. The province reports roughly 10,000 black bears, one of the highest concentrations on the continent, and bears here tend to run bigger than mainland animals thanks to a genetic predisposition and low hunting pressure. Provincial hunting authorities describe bears topping 650 pounds and producing some of the largest skulls in the sport. The details are on the province's official hunting site at huntingnewfoundlandlabrador.com.
That size potential is not a new story. An article the lodge shares on this site, Go East Young Man - For a Crack at the New World Record Black Bear!, makes the case that the island could produce a world-class bear. Deep Country Lodge has guided hunters in this country for two decades, and you can see recent bears in the black bear gallery.
When Is Black Bear Season in Newfoundland for 2026-27?
The province's 2026-27 hunting guide sets two seasons on the island: a spring season from May 1 to July 15 and a fall season from September 12 to November 30. Season dates are identical across the open Black Bear Management Areas, with a handful of closed areas around certain communities, and licensed outfitters run their hunts inside the open areas.
The bag limit is two black bears per license: two in spring, two in fall, or one in each season. Deep Country Lodge is now booking hunts for 2027 through 2030, so hunters planning a spring 2027 bear hunt are researching and reserving dates right now. Current availability is listed on the hunt dates and details page.
Spring Baited Hunts vs. Fall Spot-and-Stalk
Deep Country Lodge offers both approaches, so the choice comes down to the hunt you want. Spring hunts run over bait, when bears come off winter dens hungry and daylight stretches long into the evening. Sitting an active bait site gives you time to judge a bear's size and coat before you commit, which matters when your license allows two bears.
Fall hunts are spot-and-stalk, glassing open barrens and cutovers while bears feed hard on berries ahead of denning. Fall bear dates also overlap the moose and caribou seasons, which is what makes the add-on hunt work: many hunters carry bear tags alongside a moose hunt or a woodland caribou hunt.
What Do US Hunters Need to Book a Newfoundland Bear Hunt?
Newfoundland makes this simple for traveling hunters: non-resident bear licenses are only available through a licensed outfitter, and non-residents must be accompanied by a licensed guide to hunt big game. Booking with Deep Country Lodge covers the license, the guide, and the territory in one step.
Most American hunters fly into Newfoundland and the lodge coordinates the rest of the trip from its base in Clarenville, on the island's east side. Hunts stage out of two lodges and a network of spike camps in central eastern Newfoundland, with home-cooked meals daily. Details on getting here are on the hunt dates and details page.
Bear as a Standalone Hunt or an Add-On
Black bear works two ways at Deep Country Lodge: as its own hunt with two bear tags, or as an add-on to a moose or caribou package. For hunters who want all three species in one trip, the Newfoundland Grand Slam combines moose, woodland caribou, and black bear. Package structure and inclusions are laid out on the hunting packages page.
Because the bag limit allows two bears per license, a spring trip can be a serious two-bear hunt on its own rather than a consolation add-on. Spring dates also sit outside the fall moose and caribou rush, which makes them the easier trip to schedule around work and the easier one to book on shorter notice.
Newfoundland Black Bear Hunting FAQ
Are there black bears in Newfoundland?
Yes. Newfoundland and Labrador hold roughly 10,000 black bears, one of the highest concentrations in North America, and most of the island is open to bear hunting under its Black Bear Management Areas.
How big do Newfoundland black bears get?
Provincial hunting authorities report bears topping 650 pounds, with some of the largest skulls in the sport. The island's bears tend to run bigger than mainland black bears due to a genetic predisposition and low hunting pressure.
When is black bear season in Newfoundland for 2026-27?
On the island, the spring season runs May 1 to July 15 and the fall season runs September 12 to November 30. Most Black Bear Management Areas are open with identical dates; a handful of areas around a few communities stay closed, so hunts run where the province allows them.
How many bears can one hunter take?
The bag limit is two black bears per license. You can take two in spring, two in fall, or one in each season, which is why Deep Country Lodge hunts come with two bear tags.
Do American hunters need a guide for a Newfoundland bear hunt?
Yes. Non-resident bear licenses are only available through a licensed outfitter, and non-residents must be accompanied by a licensed guide to hunt big game. Booking with an outfitter such as Deep Country Lodge covers both requirements.
Can I combine a bear hunt with a moose or caribou hunt?
Yes. Deep Country Lodge offers black bear as a standalone hunt or as an add-on to a moose or woodland caribou hunt, and its Newfoundland Grand Slam package combines all three species in one trip.
Book your black bear hunt
Deep Country Lodge is now booking black bear hunts for 2027 through 2030. Call 1-709-685-2463 (24/7) or email info@biggamehuntingnewfoundland.com to hold your dates for spring or fall.