About Dead Bear Walking Outfitters
Established in 2016, we are a family operated outfitting lodge focusing on small groups of hunters. We believe handling small numbers gives each hunter a better hunting experience and one on one quality time. With Dead Bear Walking, you are not a number, you are treated like family and we pride ourselves in that.
Owning and operating a guiding service has been a lifelong dream of Mike’s (owner and operator). He has envisioned having such a business for many years and without a doubt, will exceed each and every one of your expectations during your stay. As a skilled hunter himself, he is very enthusiastic about giving each client a positive hunting experience.
We are committed to providing top quality adventures and guest experiences. We strive on providing the highest quality outdoor, hunting and fishing experiences while maintaining the utmost professional standard in a warm and welcoming manner. Read why you should choose to hunt with us .
We want you to have an amazing hunt but it’s more than just that… we want you to enjoy every second of your stay! We are a fairly self sufficient family and we love to share our ways with each of you while you are here. We raise our own cows, pigs, and chickens, for meat. Our laying hens provide us with the eggs you will eat for breakfast, it doesn’t get fresher than this! Our family is big into hunting so you may get a chance to enjoy a deer steak or moose roast during your stay. You will enjoy fresh veggies, preserves and fresh maple syrup- our gardens provide fresh veggies for those who hunt in the fall and all clients enjoy our preserves from salsa, dill pickles, dilled carrots to lady ashburn. We live a simple life in the quiet country and we love being able to share it with you!
YOUR GUIDE
Mike Watson was born and raised in the rural community of Harvey Station, New Brunswick. Mike is an avid outdoor sportsman who has always had nothing but love and respect for nature. If ever one is looking for him, outside is where you will find him.
He grew up hunting both big and small game- whitetail deer, moose, black bears, coyotes, rabbits, and partridge.. He has trapped for more than 30 years; sending large quantities of pelts to the fur trade each year and more recently as a nuisance wildlife control officer as well. Mike also has 25+ years of guiding experience which makes him perfectly suited for an outfitting business. He is an avid fisherman who not only loves to fish but is the manager of an Atlantic salmon fish hatchery, for the past 25+ years. One would think he would tire of the outdoors but his spare time is filled with outside activities with his family.
Mike has been married to his wife, Tammy since 2000. They have 3 sons. When Mike and Tammy aren’t watching their sons play sports (especially basketball) they are spending summer days tending large gardens and enjoying watching their laying hens chase bugs as they run free. They raise their own chickens, pigs and beef to feed their growing boys. Free days are spent in the woods hunting and gathering edible mushrooms. A spare evening is spent on the local lakes and rivers in a canoe, fishing pole in hand, watching the sun set. Fall weather brings them back outdoors for tipping; tipping is snapping the branches off of fir trees to supply the local businesses of wreath making for the holiday season. Mike thinks the cool, brisk yet sunny winter days are great for throwing on a pair of snowshoes and going for a trek in the woods… each time seeing animal tracks and teaching the boys which track is which (and who’s scat is who’s!) Spring weather takes the Watson’s to a family members sugar shack. They spend weeks collecting sap and boiling it down to make fresh, delicious maple syrup, maple candy and maple butter.
FAMILY BUSINESS
As a family orientated outfitter, we work hard year round to provide an amazing week for you.
Unlike outfitters who have several people working for them, we do it all ourselves. It is us who are responsible for the details and planning. We are the ones who take the phone calls/emails and answer all your questions personally. The baits are carefully thought out, set up, and looked after by Mike (with the help of our teenage sons when they can!) From making sure all runs smoothly at camp to baiting, transporting clients to and from the stands to the retrieval of the animal. We take great pride in providing you with an amazing week and we are proud of our work at Dead Bear Walking!
Mike and Tammy with their 3 sons, Josh, Tyler and Devin, 2016
OUR LOCATION
We are located in New Brunswick; NB is one of three provinces collectively known as the “Maritimes,”
We are situated in the southwestern part of the province, just outside the village of Harvey Station.
The village of Harvey is situated between rolling hills and is surrounded by seven lakes. The lodge is positioned on 100 /acres of private wilderness overlooking the majestic Magaguadavic River.
Getting here is easy: we are within close proximity to the US border; 30 minutes from Vanceboro, Maine, 45 minutes from Calais, Maine and 1 hour and 15 minutes from Houlton, Maine. We are located 50 minutes away from the Fredericton International Airport.