Bait station and timing. UPDATE: 09-24, Final Update

[h20hunter]

Well, I will be bow hunting for deer but since you can't hunt bear over bait it is a moot point.

[DBHAWTHORNE]

Yeah, wish I could and wish I had the cash. I have placed the order and they should ship it in a few days. They didn't end up throwing the bear box in for free. I guess the newest models are just a bit different so the custom boxes are a bit more expensive. They are charging me....get this....a whole $18.00 for the bear box. *censored*s!

I will say that I am very pleased with Bushnell from a point of customer service. They mentioned that the whole repair dept got quite the chuckle from my repair request form. I guess they don't get a lot of "bear mauling" listed for symptom or concerns regarding camera function. Everyone I have spoken with and dealt with has been very helpfull and understanding of my wants and needs. I almost wonder if some of these folks actually spend time in the woods using some of their products. Hmmm..

Either way, nice folks and a very good customer service experience so far. Shoot, it is my own fault the camera got worked over, not theirs.

Stay tuned for new camera pics, video, and my newely customized bear box!

It is good to hear your customer service experience with them has been good. Mine was quite the opposite...for two...on two different occasions with two different trophycams.

[h2ofowlr]

I bet a few of these trail cameras that come up stolen are due to bears running off with new toys.     How much have you spent to get a few pics?  A lot of work this early in the season.

[h20hunter]

My first camera I was only into about $60 because I had a gift card when I bought it. However, as the summer is going I shell out a little here, a little there. It adds up over time but I am having fun and learning quite a bit about my area as well as the habits of the critters. So far it has been worth it for me. I have been enjoying the hiking, the anticipation, even the let down when myh first cam was killed.

[oldcamper]

If there is a bear problem just post it in the bear hunting section that there are to many in the area and after Aug 1st. the problem should be solved. 

[h20hunter]

I'm with you Camper. However, I don't think WDFW would look to kindly on me telling folks to hunt over my blacktail bait you know. Not really something I want to encourage however much I wish it were legal to hunt bears over bait. I'd have some dandy ones coming in. However, I'm trying to change up my feed to see if they will look elsewhere for higher calorie foods like berries.

[oldcamper]

I am out of the area with the military so I won't make the season this year. But please post if it works, I am looking forward to next year. And yes I think the WDFW would frown on it.  Good hunting to you.

[h20hunter]

Todays trail cam check was a bit different for me. I had my wife along this time for a nice hike in the woods. I picked up twmore pressed blocks and a fresh set of batteries. The last soad on video capture really took it out of the batteries. Overall I am very pleased with the new cam. I had it set to 8mp single shot capture with a one minute lag between. The results of a one week soak was 426 new pictures. I've got some bears, a lone yote, and a few deer. Finally, some deer to show for my efforts.

Well, the idea that the pressed blocks won't appeal to the bears as much didn't really work out. Basically, they chew on them and roll them around like a tasty bear chew toy. I don't even thing the birds got a chance to peck at them. After reviewing the pics it looks like I have a lone boar of good size, a little fella that runs solo, and a momma with a little one in tow. I also had one close up of one of the bears head as it sniffed at the camera. Once again, it is unscathed.

The deer looked like they were around during hours that would offer good shooting light. I got a momma and yearling and then later on I got a single deer butt. Not sure if it was a buck or doe but am just happy to have some deer action. The deer were there in between bear visits so I'm still hoping this will be a huntable area for me when bow season comes in.

After our walks we did see our first bear. We were coming along the basin road a ways up, past the Lake Bronson nudie ranch, at about 5 pm. We were just chatting and talking about the walks and how nice it is to have the kids at home with the babysitter. I was just poking along at about 20 and out comes a little bear. I say, "well, theres a bear right in front of us". I stop the truck and do a quick check to make sure the camera is in the back of the truck with my gear, yep, it is. So, we just sit there for a minute or so and he walks right in front of the truck and stops in the far side shallow ditch. He stands there for about 30 seconds and is trying to figure out what to do now. Once he figures out that he should leave he just kind of lowers his head and walks off. Way cool. That was my first bear sigting in the open as well as the first for my wife. this was a pretty small bear, less than 100 lbs and a little more tan/cinn than black. It just capped off a nice time out checking the cam.

Here are a few pics from the new batch.

[h20hunter]

Couple more

[h20hunter]

So, I'm planning on heading out tomorrow at the butt crack of dawn to change out the card and leave some fresh product. I've got about 40 pounds of cob to take in along with a bag of Buckbran magic in a bag. I was burning up a gift card the other day on Cabelas site and picked up a set of Montecs for my bow. Grabbed a few other things and with the left over few dollars picked up a Redspot mineral brick and a bag of Buckbran. Now, on the packaging it shows monster bucks so I'm sure it is good stuff. After looking at the ingredients I'm sure the bears are just going to snort it up like an addict at an Amy Winehouse concert ( too soon?). So anyway, I'm going to pour the cob in one pile, the bear nose candy (Buckbran) in another. That got me to thinking.....do deer eat peanuts? Why? Cause that is just how my mind works. I know in the midwest farmers with peanut fields just get hammered by deer. Well, I've got a big old bag of slighty stale, in the shell, lightly salted peanuts. I'm going to take it out as well and pour about a 6 pound pile of them out. The results should be a best of three taste test. Wet cob vs. Buckbran vs. Peanuts.

Any bets on the winner?

[dirty24d]

dude you gotta try some corn, cheap fresh corn...  they go nuts over it....

[h20hunter]

I've used cracked corn and it seemed to do as well as the cob. The peanut thing is just something to throw on the ground instead of the trash. Maybe they'll go "nuts" over them as well?

[dirty24d]

was out on the dirtbike yesterday up in that neck and saw a toad of a boar about 100 yards down a skidder looked like he was 8 feet tall just standing straight up and looking at me like wtf...

[h20hunter]

Like this?

[dirty24d]

woooow.. uh that might damn well be him.. he was loooud too. i turned of my bike and watched him for a few and as he was walking away he was grunting  up a storm and it was echoing off  trail, heard him for about 5 minutes after i couldnt see him anymore..  I havent been on here much in awhile  but it looks like the area i pointed you to last year is paying off... it also looks likeyou been putting some miles and time in. good on ya.  I'm surprised i havent seen ya up there i been riding and hiking quite a bit lately...