Jim Leahy Guide Service

Jim Leahy has been running bear hunts out of Hayward since the 1970s. This isn't a seasonal gig or a hobby—hunting guides his entire year, with fishing work filling the summer months. He knows the private land territories in Sawyer, Bayfield, and Douglas counties like few guides do, and he knows how black bears move through them.

Hunts take place over 6 days on mostly private land in Zones A and D. Jim starts baiting in June—three months ahead of most guides—which puts him ahead of the season and gets bears into a routine before your hunt starts. He limits clients to 10 per season and rotates through different sections of territory each week, keeping bait sites fresh and the bear population stable.

What's included: - Advance stand preparation and active baiting - Full briefing on your specific stand - Daily transportation to and from hunting grounds - Cell phone access to your guide - Tracking and full recovery assistance - Field dressing and cooling in his walk-in cooler

You can hunt gun or bow. Wisconsin black bear season runs early September through mid-October.

Jim has hunted these lands since the 1970s. He knows the habitat and the bear patterns within it.

The territory sees under-hunting, which means stable populations and multiple bears at many stands. His bait recipe gets continually adjusted based on what bears are actually eating that season. Stand and blind placement gets studied carefully—wind, terrain, game patterns all factored in.

Accepts cash, check, or PayPal. Call (715) 558-9719 for current rates and availability.

• •Bear season deadline: December 10 for applications.