Bear baiters and trappers!

[cherokee]

I grew up trapping muskrats, racoons, mink, fox and really find the baiting process for bear similar to running a trap line. Part of the fun of bear hunting is setting and checking the bait station to see if it was hit. The hunt or taking of a bear is kinda the grand finale but the whole process of site selection, setting bait and checking bait is in my opinion is what makes the bear hunt. Honestly I'm not disappointed if I don't get a bear. Anyone else ever run a trapline and relate the two?

[lichen fox]

Yes, they are very similar as you said. When fur prices were great in the 80's, my partner and I long-lined for fox two weeks every fall and then we'd shorten up our lines and add sets for rats, mink, etc...I've always equated bear hunting to running a trapline and I've even used some of the tricks of the trade I learned trapping for bear hunting....

[Random guy]

Very similar indeed. Even when it comes to dealing with competition and how pressured areas are approached.

[tweedlap]

I have taken my fair share of bears and do not even apply anymore.

The part of the hunt that is the most fun, most challenging and thrilling

and that I really miss the most is selecting possible bait sites and the actual going to the bait stations every day.

The anticiapation while being out in the woods and appoaching a bait

is best part of the hunt. You get to do it every day for two weeks or so.

Even with the heat, the smell, the bugs and the thorns........

It is the greatest !

For me that is what makes it so much like trapping, too.

Good luck and enjoy.

tweed

[cherokee]

Thanks tweed. I am already enjoying the process of bait collecting etc. My garage is taking on a bait station smell. Smells good.

Jonny P so true. How many bait sites do you normally set up and how many people do you guide in a year? From time to time people ask me if I know anyone that could put them on a bear.