AI Summary
5 min readThe Rivets run one of the most successful black bear hunting operations in North America, and they do it by refusing to shoot most of the bears that show up. In a typical spring, they maintain about 60 bait sites across three million acres of northern Alberta, but they are only after a specific animal: old boars that are seven feet or larger, animals that might make a fatal mistake once every five or seven years. The rest—sows, young males, average bears—get a pass. This selectivity is not just a preference; it is the core of how they manage the population and why their hunters keep coming back.
The real challenge of killing a giant bear
The popular image of bait hunting—a bear walking into an easy shot—collapses when you are hunting bears that have been evading hunters for two or three decades. These old boars know the routine. They circle downwind, they hang at the timber edge, and they will not tolerate noise, movement, or human scent. "The younger bears are coming in and you can cough and they look at you and keep going," John Rivet explains. "The more mature they are, they usually don't mess up." A six-and-a-half-foot bear that looks borderline in full daylight can appear to be a giant in the last fifteen minutes of legal shooting light, which is when the truly big bears often show up. The Rivets have a hard rule: if you draw blood, that is your tag. So they would ra
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What you'll learn
- 1 (00:17) **Opening & Bear Hunting Banter** - Cameron introduces John and Jenn Rivet and jumps into a playful debate about measuring bear hides and the quality of their bear hunting outfit in Alberta.
- 2 (03:56) **Montana Knife Company Giveaway** - The crew unveils a special gift from Montana Knife Company, highlighting the premium packaging and craftsmanship of the MKC Chopper.
- 3 (07:44) **Carbon Watch Company Gift** - Travis from Carbon Watch Company gifts Cameron a high-end watch, leading to a discussion about generosity and the rewards of running an ethical operation.
- 4 (11:04) **Bear Hunt Giveaway Announcement** - Cameron announces he will give away a bear hunt with the Rivets to one lucky listener, explaining his desire to share the experience.
- 5 (13:07) **Bear Management & Public Misconceptions** - The group discusses the necessity of bear hunting for population management and pushes back against anti-hunting sentiment.
- 6 (16:00) **Trail Camera Technology as a Game Changer** - The Rivets explain how cellular trail cameras have revolutionized their bear baiting and wolf hunting operations.
- 7 (23:12) **The Challenge of Hunting Mature Boars** - The conversation details why killing a giant black bear is so difficult, even with advanced technology, and contrasts it with hunting smaller bears.
+ Full timestamped outline available in the app
Show Notes
John and Jenn Rivet are back again to talk about bear hunting. The Rivet’s renowned big-game outfitters, wilderness guides, and co-owners of The Rivet Company (formerly Livin' the Dream) based in Northern Alberta, Canada. With over 30 years of outfitting experience, they specialize in trophy Canadian black bear, whitetail deer, and wolf hunts.
Follow John:
https://www.instagram.com/johnnyrivet/
Follow Jenn:
https://www.instagram.com/jennrivet_/
Follow along:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cameronrhanes
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cameronhanes
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/camhanes/
Website: https://www.cameronhanes.com
Timestamps:
00:00:00 – Measuring Bear & Taxidermy Work
00:03:42 – Presentation & a Montana Knife Company Surprise
00:11:00 – Rivet’s Bear Hunt Giveaway & Bear Camp
00:13:12 – Hate Against Bear Hunting
00:17:11 – Tactacam & Hunting with Trail Cameras
00:26:09 – Colored Bear, Giants, and Smart Old Bear
00:29:25 – Cam’s 2026 Spring Bear Hunt
00:34:48 – Bear Management, Conservation, & Sex Differences
00:42:00 – The Quality and Taste of Bear Meat
00:44:46 – Hard Work & Shout Out to Kawasaki’s Quality
00:51:02 – What Screws Up Bear Hunts
00:55:39 – John’s Chainsaw Accident
01:01:05 – The Promise Land: Deep Country Bear & Returning Hunters
01:13:53 – Leaning on God & Wounded Bear
01:21:20 – The Impact of Strong Women Leaders
01:26:20 – Cam’s Spring 2026 Bear
01:33:22 – Rivet’s Bear Hunt & Bentley Giveaway
01:35:40 – Exceeding Childhood Dreams
01:39:41 – John’s First Hunt
01:43:02 – Bear Bait: Beavers and Carp
01:45:55 – Bear Color Variations and Grizzlies
01:49:05 – Measuring Bear Capes & Skulls
01:53:55 – Taxidermy, Bear Meat, and Traveling After the Hunt
01:58:00 – Broadheads and Final Thoughts
Thank you to our sponsors:
ALP: https://alppouch.com/ use code CAM for 10% off your first order
Ketone IQ: https://www.ketone.com/Cam use code CAM for 30% off your first subscription
Montana Knife Company: https://www.montanak
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