Bear cribs

[Aug_01]

Ive seen people writing about bears opening up the bait crib. What exactly is meant by this? Im assuming a bait crib a group of logs stacked on top of the bait pile? is this correct? Is this just another way to show the hunter that bears are hitting their baits?

[bogwalker]

You got it Aug_01. It also keeps scavengers from eating all the bait before the bear gets there to open it. The crib is also set up to give the hunter optimum shot angle when the bear arrives to feed.

[CANOPY SAM]

A heavy duty, well-built log crib can also prevent smaller bears, wolves, badgers, or pine marten from cleaning out your best bait piles before a big bruin finds them.

I know hunters that use very heavy, large logs, chinked together like a log house, to cover their baits = crib. I've watched bears toss 150-200 lb. logs aside like twigs. Even small to medium sized bears are much, much stronger then we imagine ourselves to be.

It's fairly common for a hunter to dig a shallow pit below their bait crib to pour the bait into prior to covering it. This will cause the bear to "stoop" into the pit, allowing a hunter a chance to place a clean shot, as stated above.

Did you draw a tag this year?

[jay83196]

How big should they be?

[bogwalker]

It's fairly common for a hunter to dig a shallow pit below their bait crib to pour the bait into prior to covering it. This will cause the bear to "stoop" into the pit, allowing a hunter a chance to place a clean shot, as stated above.

It is illegal in Minnesota to dig a pit in the ground to place bait.

[Boar]

Jay I cut logs 6' so I have something to judge size against, like I mentioned before I like to find an area with a little higher ground so rain drains off, its all personal prefference thou, if you dig a shallow pit, we'll thats gonna fill up with water an ruin bait. If ya dig a pit an put some small brances in the bottom then our in bait, then cover with logs the rain will settle beneath the bait keeping it dry. As far as how big, The two things i take into consideration is, to build a crib for shot placement an to keep coons out, plus ya dont need to be Lou Forigno for a good crib, keep it simple. Johny P I think has had picture of his cribs posted before an so have others. Basicly if ya can build a crib to keep the bear occupied while you settle in for a shot, then you've accomplished a main goal. Good luck boar

[Boar]

Bog are ya sure thats not just on state land, the state says i cant dig a pit on our private land for the purpose of placing bait for bear? Boar

[bogwalker]

I take it to mean public and private, same as using bait barrels that are left on site.

[Boar]

Ahhhh. Hmmmm..... boar

[Random guy]

Three things to consider in this order

1) Shot placement. Make sure the bear has to be facing away from you to open the bait. Make use of the tree.

2)Keep the critters out. You would be amazed at the strength of a bear and blown away by the strength of a racoon.

3) Keep the bait dry and small. Less bait makes for early bear and dry bait makes better smell then wet bait. Plus mold is your enemy.

[jay83196]

Less bait early bear? What do you mean?

[lichen fox]

jay....keep the bear hungry....don't fill him up...if there is always a lot of food on the bait site, they will learn that they can come in anytime for a meal...and most of the time a mature "full" bear will come in after shooting hours....

Bogwalker....I think you're wrong on the digging pit thing on public & private land....I know there is a rule that you cannot cut any "living" tree greater than 4 inches in diamater on wildlife managment land and that you cannot destroy certain vegetation...but I don't think that applies to all land, public & private, in the whole state of minnesota....and I don't see where it would make a difference if you dig the hole or the bear does....all most all of our baits end up with a huge hole after a few hits as the bears dig for the grease and honey that drips into the ground...

[bogwalker]

Lichen Fox, Unless the law was changed this year pits are still illegal for baiting bear. I don't understand the rest of your post about public and private land statewide...?

[jay83196]

Define pit? A hold couple feet deep, is allowed call the dnr they will tell you...state land, private land doesn't matter.

[bogwalker]

I will go by what the D.N.R. puts in writing. The Minnesota Bear Hunting Regulation book. I have not received mine for 2010 yet. Has anyone else?

[bogwalker]

Jay83196, Either I am losing it or the DNR is. I called and got the same response you did. I never understood why someone would want to use a bait pit because water is the last thing I want on my bait. I look for high and dry spots for my cribs. Rain can ruin some bait mixes.

[LightningBG]

I'm not 100% that I'm looking at all of the regs, but here's what it says in the 2010 book. Doesn't seem to say anything about pits/holes.

BAIT STATIONS AND GARBAGE DUMPS

Definitions: “Bait” is any material placed for the purpose of attracting or attempting to attract

bears. A bear “bait station” is any location where bait is placed for the purpose of hunting.

Materials that are at all times attended by the hunter are not considered a bait station.

The following materials may not be used as baits for bear.

• A carcass from a mammal containing more than 25 percent of the intact carcass.

• Meat from mammals that contains bones.

• Bones of mammals.

• Solid waste containing bottles, cans, plastic, paper, or metal.

• Materials that are not readily biodegradable.

• Any part of a swine, except cured pork.

Note: 55-gallon drums, pails, plastic garbage bags, or other containers may not be left unattended at bait stations.

Establishing Bait Stations: A person may not hunt bears within 100 yards of a bait station,

unless it is registered and marked with a sign in accordance with the following regulations:

• Requirement for Placing Bait: A person may not place bait for bears on or after August 13

unless the person has a 2010 bear license or is operating under the direction of a person with

a 2010 bear license. If you are baiting for someone else, you must have their MN DNR number

in your possession.

• Date: A person may not establish, service, maintain or place a sign for any bait station prior

to August 13. A person may not establish a bait station within 100 yards of any site where

bait has been placed before August 13.

• Bait Station Registration: A person may not establish a bait station without registering

it with the DNR. The name, address, MN DNR number, and telephone number of the person

who established the bait station and the county, township, range, and section for which

the bait station is established must be mailed, no later than the next postal service day

after establishing the bait station. Bait station registration forms should be mailed to the

appropriate address as per the instructions on the forms.

• Bait Station Signs: A person who establishes a bait station must display a sign at the site.

The sign must be made of plastic, wood, or metal and be at least 6-by-10 inches in size. The

sign must contain the full name and MN DNR number or MN driver’s license number, or the full

name, address, and telephone number of the person placing the bait. The letters and numbers

must be legibly printed and either painted or impressed on the sign material. Bait station

signs must be prominently displayed between 6 and 10 feet above the natural ground level,

and within 20 feet of the bait. Signs must be removed within 48 hours after the close of the

bear season.

• Other Baiting Provisions: A person may establish and maintain a bait station for someone

else, without payment, if the station is registered and displays a sign containing the name

and driver’s license number of the person who is actually doing the baiting and the name and

MN DNR number of the person for which the bait is placed. A person may not establish a bait

station within 150 yards of an established campsite. A person may not establish a bait station

in Bear Permit Area 22 (Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and the portion of the

BWCAW outside of Bear Permit Area 22). A person may not establish a bait station or take a

bear within one-half mile of a garbage dump.

[jay83196]

I have read a lot of opinions about how much or often to bait, and keep them interested, I am also wondering if its best to put out a little of several different baits at a time or mix it up and use just some of my varieties at a time. I have candy, donuts, dog food, peanuts, bread, grease , honey , oats ,corn and meat scraps. Last year I put some of each out every time but should I mix it up? I haven't been doing this very long so I don't know what works best to keep em coming... last year my stations did well but they lost interest soon before opener(or someone else near had better bait?). It was apparent they like some stuff more than others, so I hate to not put out the good stuff each time, ill be baiting every 2-3 days, any thoughts?

[bogwalker]

Forgive me for sounding like a know-it-all. I get obsessed with bear and this close to the season it gets worse. This might be helpful. Bear are creatures of habit. They don't like change including change in their diet with some seasonal exceptions. A change in bait can cause some bears to leave a bait for days or even permanently. Each individual is different. I once hit on a bait item that drew in a mature boar with 6.5" front pads. He showed up 2 days after I added this item and left the area the day it ran out. I had already been attempting to locate this boar for several years and this bait was not in his normal range.

[Boar]

Jay I think everyone is giving advise based on their experience ofcourse, I hunt no qouta the bear density is low here an am allowed two tags, johnny P guieds in an area where numbers are much higher than mine. I put out enough bait to feed a bear or two for supperabout 2 galons or so, Johnny P, if I get this right Johnny, excuse me if i dont, but he wants bears to compete for the food source, The early bird gets the worm so to speak, bear one will eat first an maybe bear two will have some left over, bear three will get the short end of the stick but quickly learns that he'll have to get there earlier for supper if he wants to feed. Therefore a compition begins an a dominant boar in the area will have to show up early to claim the site or subordanant bears will clean it out. Myself have less bears an dont want to over stuff a bear, if thats possible, to the point where he feels he can come in any time a belly up to the buffette table. Your gonna do fine just start with a five gallon bucket full an check in acouple days an go from there. Every thing you have is good stuff, A bear will tell you what he likes. It not that they lose interest, but if berries ripen, an a acorn mast is dropping like crazy, there is'nt any magic bait that will pull them of natural forage. A bear will always chose the forage that give him the proteins he needs to survive the winter, the empty calories of goodies we feed him is just a bonus. the thing to do when a site gose dry is to keep going at it till the very end, natural forage will dry up the end of september an he'll remember "hey there this place I recall that had all the golden goodies I could ask for" an you'll be ready. An yes i have actually hear a bear say that. Once a bear is hitting a bait I like to feed every day as long as hes cleaning it out. Always get rid of moldy bait an replenish with fresh. Keep the site well greased. You'll do fine. Later boar

[Boar]

Bog Its awsome that your here man I have a huge passion for bear, as son as season ends I'm right back at it going over things I shoulda done or shouldnt have. Your post are greatly appreciated here, thank s Boar

[bogwalker]

Thanks boar, Sounds like you are addicted too. No known cure so we might as well enjoy it right?

[Boar]

Gotta ride that wave every minuet of the day. An yes my name is boar an I am a bear addict. I consumme all info on bear hunting, No other ruch like it. Boar

[Aug_01]

I'm only going to be able to bait on the weekends becasue my land is 5 hours away from home. Because of this, I will have to put out large amounts of bait at a time. This will make it difficult to make the bears compete over the bait. Is this going to make it a lot more difficult for me? Is there anyone else that only baits on weekends? How much on average do you put out? Thanks.

Aug

[Aug_01]

By the way, I appreciate all of the advice from the more experienced bear hunters out there. This forum had been a useful tool for me in learning about what it takes to harvet a bear.