Thermacell ?

[jerkbait]

Does the Thermacell work for waliking through the woods or does it only work when sitting still. Does any one use their Thermacell when baiting for bear?

[sticknstring]

It'll lose its effectiveness with movement and/or wind. Ideal conditions would be in stationary position with little to no wind or in a ground blind.

I know many bear hunters who use Thermacell while hunting. I also know of a few guides who won't allow their hunters to use it, if that tells you anything.

[reinhard1]

i am contimplating getting a thermacell unit. but with what you said above about wind and stuff which makes sense is it your opinion that these units are worth it? thanks good luck.

[bogwalker]

i am contimplating getting a thermacell unit. but with what you said above about wind and stuff which makes sense is it your opinion that these units are worth it? thanks good luck.

My son works full time in the woods. He tried out my new thermacell this summer and I don't see him returning it. He says it works great. Never asked him about wind effecting it.

[Boar]

I've gotten mixed reviews, They work great in general, But have gotten some big nays when it comes to bear hunting, they can smell it. Johnny P. dosent allow them in his bear stands. Personal preference. I guesse. Boar

[reinhard1]

good enough. based on what you guys said its worth a try. thank you. good luck.

[jerkbait]

I am not planning to use it for Bear hunting. I am wondering about using it when I am out in the woods walking around scouting. My biggest question is if they work when a person is on the move. Even doping down with bug spray the little vampires still get behind my glasses. The only way to stop that is a head net which gets rather warm when on the move.

[haverhunting]

I no for a fact that I have had at least 75 times bear were at the bait in the last 3 years using a thermacell. I would conservitily say that there was 15 differant bear in that count. Most of them were in the ballpark of 300lbs. But on how good it works. GREAT. And as far as the wind blowing, the bugs aren't out in the wind anyways. Worth the money>>>

[Rippinlip]

I have used then for deer hunting for a couple of years now and will not live without them. Deer do not seem to recognize the smell, they have a pretty good nose too.

My wife has one too.

We actually bought the latern this year for camping and we used it on the 4th of July for fireworks and never got bit, everyone around us was spraying down heavily with spray, not us.

[HunterLee]

I used one last year on a bear hunt and killed one that dressed at 270lbs. I figure if they smell the thermacell they will smell me. So it shouldn't matter in my opinion about the smell or not. Movement to me would spoke them before smell.

[Random guy]

ThermaCells work great; I use one for several activities but...not on my baits.

[superbee]

They work great. I have had hunters use them and others not. The end result has been the same, bears on the baits and quality bears taken. I agree, if the bear smells the thermacell, he will smell the hunter. The other part is if the bugs are so bad that you can't sit still with out swatting, the thermacell is definate plus. Use your own judgement on stand, but they do work great.

[jerkbait]

J.P., do you use a thermacell when baiting or not at all around the baits?

[JohnD]

I won't bear hunt without one, the last time we went was 2 years ago, all 7 guys in our group used thermacells, all 7 of us had shot opportunities on bears on the baits while the thermacell was running. I also use them early season whitetail hunting, and have had deer coming and going, apparently without them minding.

We leave for our Ontario hunt next saturday, I will have plenty of thermacell refills with me.

[cherokee]

JohnD good luck and thanks for that bit of information.

[Random guy]

J.P., do you use a thermacell when baiting or not at all around the baits?

No I move to fast for Therma cells to keep up. We go through great efforts to keep big mature boars calm and relaxed around the baits. Smaller bear and sow/cub combos might not be bothered by them but ANY change is bad when it comes to the big boys so we do what we can to prevent any new or non-constant smells. I could put a Therma cell on every bait and that I'm sure would remedy the problem as it becomes a constant but the cost of running 30 Therma cells 24/7 would get a bit ugly.

I will stand by my no Therma cells on the bait along with a few other strict rules we have concerning scent, sound and movement. We have a few rules but they may be why we have multiple Boon & Crocket or Pope & Young boars harvested every year.

[bogwalker]

jonny, Where can I look up details on your multiple yearly record book bears?

[Random guy]

What kind of details do ya want? Names of hunters/listings? Where, when or what they where feeding on? Pictures? What are ya looking for?

Bog feel free to email with any questions about the last round of big boars .

[Boar]

Wow those are some nice bears jp, an you only two hours away, hmmmm.. boar

[bogwalker]

Anything you can refer me to. Research data, size, weight, date taken hunters contact information if you don't mind. General area taken. Any information would be appreciated. Only on largest bears taken. Thanks.

[bogwalker]

I would appreciate details from anyone who has taken large black bear for my research. The more details the better photos too if you have them. You can send me a PM with contact Info. Thanks, bog

[JohnD]

Basicly, you have few options when it comes to mosquitos and bear hunting.

1. Do nothing, and swat at them. No matter how much discipline you have, you will end up swatting!

2. Wear a Bug Suit, I don't care to wear one when I'm bow hunting, I don't like shooting with one on, it messes with my anchor consistincy, and sooner or later a skeeter makes it's way inside somehow, and that's not good.

3. Bug spray, If it works, it has a smell. Period

4. Thermacell, works great, and yes it has a smell. We have shot some pretty nice bears while using them, I've found it to be the best option for me, and I've tried all of the ones I listed.

What other ideas do you guys have? I'm sure I'm missing some.

[cherokee]

bogwalker, what is the state record in Minnesota for weight on a bear? I did a search but couldn't find it. Do you think a new state record exists today in the Minnesota woods?

[bogwalker]

bogwalker, what is the state record in Minnesota for weight on a bear? I did a search but couldn't find it. Do you think a new state record exists today in the Minnesota woods?

I don't know what the state record is in Minnesota. Several other states have recorded black bear in the 600 to almost 8oo pound range. Typically weight is not used for recording bear size. Skull measurements are used. Many large bear have been shot in Minnesota with no records being kept. They were considered nuisance animals until about the 1960s. I know Minnesota has enormous males that few if any people have ever seen. I have sought one elusive bruiser with 6 3/4 inch front pads for years. He stands at over 8 feet and has orange tipped fur. I have not seen him yet but he would almost certainly be one of the top black bears nationally. There are many monster bears out there in Minnesota but they probably will die of old age.

[harvey lee]

Very nice bears Jonny.