bait ?'s

[PNUTCHI]

Hey Everyone

  I lived in WA the last 7 years, and now find myself in AK.    I already have a spot or two planned out, but I was just wondering for those of you that used to bait or that do it in Idaho.  Are there any tips for setting up the crib around my barrels.  And any other tips one might have.  

Thanks in advance.  AND GO KILL SOME BIG SPRING BEARS!!!!!

[PNUTCHI]

Nothing??

[seaduckhunter]

Just chain the barrel to a tree and put big logs in front of the bait so only a bear can pull them away to get to the bait.

[Pathfinder101]

Eastman's Bowhunting Journal actually has a good article on baiting bears this month.  I am on the road and don't have it with me, but you should check it out.

[rasbo]

do you have to use barrels?Pour some resturant oil at the base of an old stump...The bear will dig a hole there..use that hole the bear will always be at the right angle..Dont know the laws there..be its a sure fire way...

[seaduckhunter]

Dont need barrel.  I used to just dump it on the ground.  I would use meat scraps from the local meat shop to get a a good scent to start than transition to breads and pastries from bakeries that they were throwing away. Molasses from the feed and seed store bt the 5 gallons.  Old produce and melons from the local Safeway.  We would put 35 gallon of bait in everyday.  Actually we killed 3 bears off one bait one opening day.

[Elkstuffer]

The barrel works good to keep other animals and birds from running off with all of your bait and it helps to judge a bears size. Cut a 6-8 inch hole in the barrel 3/4 the way up. The bear will be able to get his paw in and pull out scraps but won't clean you out. Popcorn is a good and cheap bait. Also I've heard that hard boiled eggs work great. They can only eat a few before it fills them up. I found a website for bear baiting called "bearscents.com" They have a "Bait Ball" that looks pretty cool.

Good luck and keep us posted on the hunt.

[cohoho]

Find a big barrel then a get a bigger one.  I used to use a 75 gallon STEEL over pack barrel, chained to a tree with good sized chain or the Griz's will tear it off for sure.  If you bait in AK you had better be able to clean up all residue left at the end of season, i.e. even the grease soaked ground needs to be taken off the site, so be careful in AK about just dumping grease on the ground or building a log crib type station.  Just throwing out stuff isn't going to make it a successful site.  You got to put in the time to get the bear used to coming to that site year after year.  Lots of bait is also the key, used approx 1000lbs of dog food on each station plus literally gallons of grease, honey, molasses and other yummy delights...  Find an area off the beaten path but still accessible via BOAT, ATV or even hwy.  Your not back packing 1000lbs anywhere easily.  Know the rules up there for baiting, i.e. within 1/4 mile of trail, tracks or 1  mile of dwelling etc....  I never shot bears off my stand till 16 May, on the Kenai Pennisula, so don't get discouraged when your not seeing the activity earlier than that.  Look for the droppings around the site, once their plugs unglue, they'll be eating everything in site, requiring more fill up of bait.  Places I looked for when establishing the stands were dark timber within cuts or valleys that give them natural paths to travel up and around the mountains.  One thing we learned was travel in pairs when baiting, especially in Griz country or you'll get a surprise sooner or later when your not ready...  Also came in handy during the later part of the season as some of the bears would be close and hear the baiting process and wait till they heard the boat leave before coming down to explore the treats.  So one would stay back and hunt and other would leave and wait out in boat, plus it does add the safety factor.  Do not put any meat on the stand or the Grizzlies will occupy the site and not many Blacks will visit once they are near.  Keep it sweet as possible...  The last thing, don't gut the animal at the site or you open Pandora box for trouble with Grizzlies...  We shot 22 Black bears in 5 years off two stations, used to take friends and kids from my sons hockey team out and give them an opportunity to make a clean kill.  We only killed 2 sows (without cubs) during that time and never lost an animal.  I got a couple old locations that aren't being utilized if you PM me I can get you as close as possible, but you'll need a river boat and jet to get there...

[cohoho]

Obviously have fun and be safe.  It is alot of hard work, but it pays off.   So many people bait and never have success, mainly due to small amounts of food or too close to other stations.  Bears go from station to station enjoying everyone treats but have no reason to stay at one particular site.  Put out lots of food and invite them to stay as long as they like, and be ready for occasional Griz to eat everything you got out in one sitting.  Literally have had two 50lbs bags eaten in one night by a couple griz's.  If your in Anchorage take a look at the map within the F & G office, the pins aren't there any more but the holes still are of places where you had to identify your location, that will give you an ideal on how many try to bait.  Check the harvest reports for area #7 and you'll see not alot of bears are actually taken, but establish the site right and you'll have them returning year after years with their cubs showing them the locations of your site.    Envious of you, my favorite time in AK was right about now, getting ready for spring bear and calling every day to see if the ice was melted to get the bait out..  One other part, after the 1 of June, it heats up hard core, and most people have already given up or are out Kings fishing.  Stay with it and let us know how it goes...  Good luck...

[Elkstuffer]

Wow coho, sounds like you've been doing this awhile. All good info. Some of which I can probably use in Id. next year.

[PNUTCHI]

 :hello:Thanks so much everyone especially Cohoho.  I am so darn excited to get out going back to the F&G on Rasberry tommorrow to take another look at that map. 

I dont have a river boat and we were looking in the Turnagain area.  or 14A near the little Su or Chickallon any other tips are extra welcome.

Brad

[Rack]

if you can use barrel cut out half the top makes them lot easy er to fill
put grease where they can walk on it. they,ll track the smell around so
more bears can track it to your site. we,ve found to feed more often
with less bait, if possible, so they eat it all. dump lots at one time to start
then put out enough for one day once a week or more times if you got time
dumping enough for them to eat 24 hours a day will lessin your chance
to kill the old boars that like to eat after dark. they come to get it before
its gone.

[cohoho]

:hello:Thanks so much everyone especially Cohoho.  I am so darn excited to get out going back to the F&G on Rasberry tommorrow to take another look at that map. 

I dont have a river boat and we were looking in the Turnagain area.  or 14A near the little Su or Chickallon any other tips are extra welcome.

Brad

You and half of Anchorage try to bait in those areas around Turnagain arm.  Problem is so many stations in one small concentrated area the bears have such a huge variety to eat, when your runs out they go elsewhere.   If you drive down get out and count how many vehicles will be in that area off the side of the road on the weekend prior.  Not alot of bears get taken in that area compared to the number of hunter.  Little Sue- be extremely careful small cabins everywhere (yes there are considered dwellings), so if it within that mile circle range a huge potential for being cited.  Ckickaloon, I haven't baited out there but again close to Palmer so you'll have lots of competition, but there are areas you can be alone for sure, got an ATV?  Slightly farther towards Eureka has some wonderful areas if you don't mind driving 1 1/2 each way to bait etc...  Again need an ATV.  Are you military?  Reason I ask you can rent a boat cheap from MWR for use each time....   Avoid Jim Creek area, I did start one there it was a nightmare with all the crowds and the bears were strictly night time feeders.  Again be careful in AK about dumping huge amounts of grease on the ground, if it is there after the season and residue is showing, you could get a huge fine.

[BLKBEARKLR]

do you have to use barrels?Pour some resturant oil at the base of an old stump...The bear will dig a hole there..use that hole the bear will always be at the right angle..Dont know the laws there..be its a sure fire way...

Jim,                      in Alaska that is a BAD BAD IDEA!!!!!! Unless you want to carry out a bunch of dirt....

here are some of their rules, and since your site has to be registered they can come out and look at it...

Predator Control Area Requirements
Black bear bait stations established in Predator Control Areas (under Hunting Regulations) may be accessed during open bear baiting seasons, and black bears may be taken at those bait sites the same day the hunter has flown, provided the hunter is at least 300 feet from the aircraft. If you bait in a Predator Control Area, you may be eligible to exclude from your statewide bag limit the bear(s) you take there. To be sure, check with your local ADF&G office.

Registering a Bait Station: What to Bring
Be sure to come to the Fish & Game office with all required paperwork in hand. Here’s what you’ll need:

1.You must know the exact location where you will put your station(s) and have a written description of how to get there; e.g., Jones Road mile 125, south one mile down public easement trail, head due east 1350 ft into the woods.
With today’s technology, most bear hunters have access to a Global Positioning System (GPS). Specifying GPS coordinates is an excellent way of registering your bait station. The proper format to use would be degrees followed by decimal minutes (e.g., N 61° 18.745’ W 149° 57.836’). You must also note which format your GPS unit is set on: WGS 84, NAD 27, or NAD 83.
2.Have your hunting license.
3.Bring your bear baiting Clinic Certification (yellow copy) if you attended a traditional classroom clinic or your Online Clinic Certification if you completed the online course. If you successfully completed a certification but do not bring evidence of it, staff at the ADF&G office may be able to access the state’s WINFONET database to verify your completion of the clinic. Computers can be slow or occasionally go ‘down,’ though. The best approach is to bring your own paperwork with you.
4.Certain GMUs require an IBEP/NBEF Certification Card if you will be bowhunting at a bait site. Be sure to check current year regulations because this requirement for bowhunters in some GMUs may be expanded to other units.
Site Cleanup Requirements

A bear baiting registrant must clean up each bear bait station when done for the season, and not later than the close of the season itself. Clean-up involves removing scent lures, litter, equipment, and bait (including all bait-contaminated soil and wood) from the site.

[boneaddict]

I was going to say I think you need to be certified in order to apply for and be able to bait. 

Don't monkey with enforcement in AK.  They take theri wildlife regs seriously.  PERIOD   You will be checked and they will follow up.