Markus wrote:We could use all the meat scraps and fish we wanted, but we've found it's the very last thing they want. Plus, it's very unpleasant to hunt a sight the stinks of rotten fish and meat.
Couldn't agree more Markus, but I'm a bit surprised that as a trapper you haven't tried a beaver carcass as a special treat. For the most part the only time I use meat is for my call bait when first setting up a site. Once bears get used to sweets and grease I find they aren't too interested in meat unless its fairly fresh. Saying that, I had good luck using goose carcasses last year. They disappeared pretty quick at two sites last year but not the year before. Unfortunately, I only had a sow and three cubs at my bait last year and she kept all others away for the most part. Wrecked my year, as I wasn't about to shoot her, but got lots of fun pics and vids.
Lots of folks do use meat, but they are mostly ones in remote areas who don't have access to all the goodies, so they don't have much choice, besides paying big dollars for dog food and grains, which can add up pretty quick at an active bait. A good "shaker barrel" works great to keep them around for long periods and makes the bait last for days or even a week sometimes, as it's just a small square 3" hole. Using them in conjunction with other baits you can go longer between refills if you don't have the time to visit often.
Wallyboss wrote:Lot's of work to put in to have a successful hunt.
You got that right. It sure can be. Between rounding up bait, hauling it into sites regularly for
months, setting up stands and sites, loading and offloading trucks and quads, there is also a lot of time to put in. And expensive too, depending on what you have access to. Even though I had access to free bakery waste products from a grocery store or three at times, I still spend good coin on vanilla, jello powder, syrups sometimes, marshmallows, anise oil, dog food, popcorn, bags of grain (usually whole corn, but sometimes cob), and then there's the gas involved. One year I spent good dollars on making up three gallon sized bear suckers that I thought would work great but turned out to be a flop. Then there are loads of super concentrated bears scents you can buy as well
Then when you get a bear down, you better have some helping hands, specially if it's big, and doesn't drop close to a trail. It can be a huge pile of work. If I recall, Markus got a 200lb one a few years back and it was all he could do to manage that one on his own, and it dropped in a great spot. It's almost like handling a big blob of jelly. You bend over to grab a big handful of fur and when you stand upright the damned bear is still on the ground lol. I have a car hood rigged up to use a a sled that works well once you get the critter strapped on tight.
Doug wrote:Yes I agree, hunting over stinky baits is sometimes unpleasant, but having the wind in your face when you are looking at a bait site is a positive thing when a bear comes in.
You're right there Doug, you always strive to set up your bait downwind, but quite often the big lads will always try and circle downwind before coming in to the bait anyway, which is why, as you know, it's always good to try and have some barrier behind you to prevent that, like a cliff or swamp or even an open area that they avoid if they can. But they can get used to your scent if you're the only one baiting it. I've had bears go nocturnal when a strange scent was introduced.
Doug, I would start hitting up any grocery stores in your area and ask them if you could takes their waste bakery products off their hands, as it costs them to dispose of it. But tell them it's for a pig farmer you're helping out, as you'll have far less chance of being rejected for being a bear hunter. I leave a new plastic full size garbage can in the back room of my main store, with a good supply of quality garbage bags and ties. I use a marker on the lid to label it "waste bakery" and also my name and number on it. I check every couple of days anyway, but sometimes I'll get a call saying it's full. Works well, but without cooling some stuff gets moldy after a while and then it's totally useless. I had three stores come through real good around the same time one season and I was giving it away, and that was with 3 baits. That's how I met HooknShoot from this site. Good lad there.
banjo wrote: I don't do the bear hunt here mainly due to not having the property. It certainly adds to the hunt to be able to make all the setups and hunt them your self.
Banjo, there's nothing like bear hunting, man. It's a totally different rush than deer hunting. Hard to describe, much more intense. Plus the bear population is quite healthy, and the meat is excellent, there's many a hunter who will say it's the best.
If you have a buddy or two that wanted to try bear hunting too, I know of a hundred acre property with a nice house/camp sitting empty. It belongs to Jimmy1.
http://www.fish-hawk.net/viewtopic.php?f=84&t=48107 From what I gather, it would be the perfect setup. I know for a fact that there is a history of bears there, as the tenants had some probs a few years back and then shot one the next year. If you were serious about it I'd have no problem helping out to shorten your learning curve. I wouldn't mind visiting the place anyway.
Bear hunt starts in September, so it doesn't have to interfere with the deer rifle hunt.
Markus wrote:Yes Doug, we use a walk in. We're lucky to have access to one. We stock pile our bait early so we're not competing with others for it later on when it's sparse.
Markus you guys really have it made out there at the Hell Bear. It's been a pile of "work", and quite satisfying I'm sure, but it's all come together real well for you, your family, and the hunt gang. When I found you on Bears East I had no idea you were a member here until you posted pics of RJ visiting the camp.
I too enjoy seeing your hunting reports here now, as there haven't really ever been many on FH over the years. Specially bear related. Neat to see some non hunters showing interest too.
Hey, how do you find the chains work? Are they strictly for the birds?
I figure you're probably aware of the shaker barrel concept Markus, and I can highly recommend it as a great tool to add to your bear baiting arsenal. It's all upside, I really can't think of a downside to it. It even rings the dinner bell if you want.
Couple of different bait options you can use as well. Any questions feel free to ask.
Not sure if I posted this here before, but here's an example. I had a better vid but I can't find it
Good luck this year. I'm back at school full time this year so there will be no bear season for me, so keep this thread going. Hopefully I'll find a bit of time for deer bow hunt
RJ wrote:Really going to try to get Birdee down for a hunt with ya!
Rob if you can manage that I'm sure Birdee will love it. Then she'll be really hooked. Seeing as you already have bears in your back forty I could also see a bait site set up there in the future hehe. Once you try bear sausages you'll be encouraging her, lol.
Cheers
