Bear Baiting

[idelkhntr]

I am considering doing the spring bear hunt here in Idaho. I am not sure how I feel about baiting bears. I am a fairly traditional type hunter and only hunt public land on my own. I'm curious on how other hunters feel about baiting bears. Also interest in suggestions on how to modify a 55 gallon drum properly for baiting should I decide to bait this year.

 

[6speed]

I cut 2 holes about 3" around and about 12" apart. I run a chain through them and attach it to a tree or post.

 

[mdunc8]

Not a fan.

 

[StrutNut]

In MN we have a fall hunting season and the bears are in the thick stuff. Baiting is the norm. I have done it and had fun with it. In my opinion it is not any different then hunting a water tank or food plot. You are providing them something they need but they do have options to get it elsewhere.

 

[Brock-ID]

A fan

I am a fan of baiting. What I like about it is I can watch several bears over the season and be pretty selective. There are several methods of baiting and it is work finding the right spot, finding the bait, hauling the bait, etc. Remember, you dont have to use a barrel, there are advantages and dis advantages to it. One of the best pieces of advice I can give you is don't get locked down to only one way of baiting.

 

[Brock-ID]

A few more photos of alive bears.

 

[TheTone]

My opinion is read the rules, do it right (legal), if you have questions about legality's call IDFG, and make sure to do a great job of cleaning up when your done. I run across a lot of baits each spring and fall and lots of them resemble a garbage dump site.

 

[shoots-straight]

My opinion is read the rules, do it right (legal), if you have questions about legality's call IDFG, and make sure to do a great job of cleaning up when your done. I run across a lot of baits each spring and fall and lots of them resemble a garbage dump site.

That's why they make you tag your site. You get three tags a year per person. You have to have a tree tagged close by the bait. If it's a mess or illegal then they have a person to call.

 

[Deleted member 16014]

If you consider yourself a traditional hunter I'd bet that a successful spot and stalk would be a lot more rewarding for you. Good luck either way.

 

[Brock-ID]

My opinion is read the rules, do it right (legal), if you have questions about legality's call IDFG, and make sure to do a great job of cleaning up when your done. I run across a lot of baits each spring and fall and lots of them resemble a garbage dump site.

I couldn't agree more. If you leave any signs that it was a bait site you are giving baiters a black eye and you have given away your spot. The last thing I want is for someone to find my baits.

 

[lilbiggun]

We bait a tad differently. we usually find a deadfall and shove the bait under neath and cover the deadfall with limbs, logs, etc.

Then we watch the bait from a ridge a mile away. If a decent bear comes in, stalk is on.

It makes it interesting sometimes thats for sure.

 

[idelkhntr]

Deadfall Bait Site

I have read alot about this tactic and all beit not traditional it is more of a way to bait and not bring anything into the woods that does not belong there. No matter what I decide to do I will follow the rules. I look at hunting as privilege not a right and I will not do anything to lose that.

 

[Elkmagnet]

Baiting is a lot of fun. The people who think its to easy/unethical have never done it you earn a bear in a different way but you still earn it. good luck

 

[jknoel]

Very nice pics brocID, Acutally I am a black bear guide in Wisconsin and all I do is bait- the terrain is just too thick here- the other way is with hounds. I sure would like to get a colored bear since ALL we have are jet black bear and have considered hunting somewhere out west this spring if I could. I encourage every type of hunting- because if we knock each other down because we dont agree on how someone hunts it just gives the antis more leverage (look what happend to the trappers) When a person baits it does offer advantages. It can help determine if in fact a sow does have cubs with her at the time. It also offers the hunter more time to look over the bear to make sure its the one that they would want. Most often times it offers the best shot opportunity. Its hardly like shooting fish out of a barrel. A bear that gets 400 plus pounds didnt get that way because they are stupid- pull one tiny stunt and or set up in a way that the bear does not care for and all you will have is a night runner on your hands. Hunting is hunting each has its ups and downs.

Joe

 

[streamer]

We can use them in MN now and I have been wanting to try them but haven't yet will keep out the coon and makes your baits last long though, from what I've heard.

 

[streamer]

We can use them in MN now and I have been wanting to try them but haven't yet will keep out the coon and makes your baits last longer though, from what I've heard. Hunting over a bait is fun though.

 

[Moosie]

I'm curious on how other hunters feel about baiting bears.

If it's legal, and you want to do it, you shouldn't care what we think

 

[Backcountryhunter]

Those are some great pics of really cool looking bears. I'm hoping to come to Idaho this spring for a shot at spring bear and I like what I see in those pics!