Dare to Hyde Trophy Bear Hunting

World’s Best Trophy Black Bear Hunting

The Experience

Across the globe and it’s many outfitters, black bear hunting strategies and experiences are generally very similar. Not at Dare to Hyde Adventures. Each hunter has a unique experience. With over 30,000 acres of well-managed property, black bears thrive and grow to enormous sizes. Our guides are sincere professionals, intent on your success and committed to each hunter’s happiness throughout the hunt. Our lodge is capable and our dining options are sure to satisfy.

Whether it’s with spot and stalk, stand hunting, or hound hunting, Dare to Hyde Adventures does one thing better than anyone else in the world—we guarantee an opportunity at a trophy black bear. With success rates and innumerable testimonials, we can prove it. We invite you to consider the hunt of a lifetime.

You’ll soon see why the hype is both true and incessant. We simply are the very best at what we do...your giant trophy bear awaits you!

The Experience

The Game

The secrecy around coastal North Carolina’s monster black bears is no more. Northeastern North Carolina has everything a black bear needs to grow to monstrous proportions. In Hyde County alone, where our outfit is based, black bears are estimated to outnumber people 3 to 1.

The population is supported by an abundance of unfractured habitat, ample food supply, and superior genetics. Each year, giant black bears are harvested on the Albemarle-Pamlico Peninsula. The miles-wide grain fields, deep pocosin swamps, and dark peat bogs suit black bears better than any other habitat in the world. Sure, there are regions in the world where you can harvest a 400 pound black bear, but at Dare to Hyde, it’s our baseline. Our hunters routinely harvest bears over 400 pounds, many of which exceed 500 pounds. Bears over 600 aren’t a surprise, and a 700 pound bear is always possible. Our year round farming practices and supplemental feeding program simply grow large, mature bears. Strictly managed hunting practices on our properties ensure bears the opportunity to reach mature growth, too. Still, they’re wild animals, but we’re bold enough to offer a guaranteed chance at a monster trophy!

The Game

The Hunt

It seems proprietary to many, but we get after bears the same way others do—with thorough scouting, outstanding guides, and cautious strategy. Most mornings begin either on an elevated stand or standing on a field’s edge. Your guide’s job is to get you in front af a giant as it leaves the feeding area. Shot distances range from 150 yards to 15 feet. Depending on the scenario, you may have to get in front of the bear and make a close quarters shot. It’s intense, sometimes exhausting, but always memorable. Drawing a blank on stand just means you’re in for a hound hunt. Many times, if not most, we send hounds on a bear that has been seen—no cold-striking on a track. Once the hounds have stopped a bear, houndsmen and handlers move in and assess the bear and other circumstances to see if this is the ONE! When going in on a bayed bear, expect the densest brush you’ve ever encountered, often in shin-deep water and muck. Shot distances here range from 20 yards to just a few feet. Good preparation for your hunt would require tough, seasonable clothing, tall boots, and up to two guns—one for long range, and an un-scoped “brush” gun, such as a 45-70. Be prepared for anything!

The Hunt

The Guides

We’re a large operation—but only because we have the world’s best guides suited for this type of hunt. They’re tough, dedicated, but also personable. And you’ll soon find out that all of them are committed to your success, too. Teamwork is mandatory when meeting great expectations. Your guides will help you become acquainted with the lodge and hunt. They’ll also help you get in front of a trophy and try to give you the very best estimate they can on your bear’s size. They get just as excited and nervous as you do, and when they declare it’s a “nice ‘un”, you can bet it’s a solid shooter. Throughout the hunt, they’ll be with you, whether it’s driving to the hunt location, or sitting on stand, they’re present and involved. And when your bear is down, guides work together to take care of your trophy. Sometimes, a drag of close to a mile is required, but it’s something they can handle. You’ll enjoy their camaraderie and banter, but you’ll also appreciate their gumption. We’re certain they’re the best in the business, and soon enough, you’ll agree.

The Extras

Along with the world’s finest trophy black bear hunting, Dare to Hyde also operates a bustling waterfowl guide service. Bear season and waterfowl season often overlap, creating a great opportunity to fill out your adventure to the North Carolina coast. We manage and lease several thousand acres of flooded grain fields, all of which play host to thousands of wintering waterfowl. The action can be fast paced, and virtually all marsh duck species frequent our managed properties. Our most notable waterfowl species, the Tundra Swan, is considered by many to be the ultimate waterfowl trophy. Opportunities to bag a swan can be coupled with any bear hunt, pending your successful draw in the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Tundra Swan Permit Lottery. Odds are decent for a draw, and preference points can be earned. It’s best to talk with our team prior to booking if this is an opportunity that you’d like to explore while here.

The Odds and Ends Below, you’ll find a few other remarks that should help to button up any questions or concerns you may have as you prepare. However, you can contact our facility at either 252-926WILD or by email (preferred) at adventure@daretohyde.com. Cell service is thin here, and email is always best.

Booking and Confirmation: We book until full. To confirm your booking, we require a 50% deposit within 7 days of the invoice being emailed. Due balance payment is due upon arrival.

Trophy fees, non-hunter stays, and pro shop tabs are closed out at the end of your stay. We accept check, cash, and credit card (3% surcharge).

Trophy Processing and Care: Processing your animal’s meat is (quartered, with backstraps and loins) is done on site and is included in the hunt rate. We insist that we have 24 hours to prepare it for you, should you choose to take it upon departure. The b Additionally, we have a world-class taxidermist on site to assist you. He can consult or conduct your work. Should you have a preferred taxidermist, we can also prepare, freeze, and ship your hide to you for the cost of Fed-Ex overnight and a $300 per hide fee. It will arrive in a large cooler, which is also included. It may take 4-6 weeks to receive your trophy. We can also ship meat under the same conditions.

Hospitality: Our Lodging and Dining options are well-suited to your trophy bear hunt. Accommodations are found in a classic outfitters motel, a nod to the bygone era of the area’s outstanding goose hunting. With 20 rooms, we can house over 40 guests. By and large, you’re housed individually, unless you choose to bunk with a friend. Each climate-controlled room has a private bath, linens, and towels. Dining is done in our main lodge. Each morning starts out with a continental breakfast and coffee. Lunch is often delivered to hunters if conditions permit. Supper, though, is big! Whether it’s locally caught or raised, you’ll get an authentic taste of coastal North Carolina.

Licensing: Generally, out of state licenses are approximately $400, though the our state’s Wildlife Resources Commission sets this rate and is subject to incremental changes. We’re happy to help you with understanding your licensing needs, however, you can also wait to procure your license and tag on site, upon check-in.

Gratuities: Always a final consideration, tipping reflects a hunter’s appreciation of the level of service. There is no set rate. Some folks are a firm 20%, while some tip at $2 per pound, and others have a universal set gratuity. This is a personal matter. Trust that your guides and hospitality staff are happy to help you with whatever is needed.

Contact: Lodge Manager, Chase Luker at chase@daretohyde.com.

Physical and Mailing Address: 23145 US Highway 264 Swanquarter, NC 27885