who's ready for friday!

[Mo Gator]

New baiter here, have some questions. We are baiting on a private 240 acres, only have 3 baits out. We are only able to go up on the weekends to bait. We used 55 gal barrels chained to trees (laying sideways), blocked them off with logs. Got cameras on two of them. Lots of bait in each barrel- bulk cookies, pretzels, bread... we soaked rotten logs with used cooking oil which are laying close to the barrels.

Question is, do you guys think this will be successful since we can only bait it once a week? Would it be worth going up for a night during the week before opener to get them baited again? (Lots of driving but it's doable, maybe). Any tips on how we can make these baits better?

Thanks for the help!

[charliepete]

Bears have a large home range, much larger than 240 acres. With 3 baits on that small of a chunk you will be dealing with the same bears. My advice would be to branch out and get permission or find some other public land so you can spread yourself out more. Head a mile or two up the road and knock on a door etc. I have always found people to be pretty likely to grant access for bear hunting.

[Col. Hoggiebun]

WITH 240 acres an 3 sites chances arebu will be baiting the same bear or bears. But if yu get multiple bears on the 240 wi h is likely one bear can't dominate all three sites, if he dose, Thers a a good chance that the dominate boar will push leasser bear to the other sites.why not keep them going an see hownit plays out.a milen or two wont make a difference it would still be the same bear or bears. If u hav e bait in each barrel for a weeks worth yur doing the best thing possible, big boars don't tolerate alotnof human intrusion an are likelh to go nocturnal because of it. Keep it simple. As far as distance betwen baits I do prefer large miles 10 to 20 milesif yu have time to get that distance id go that rout an shut down at leastnone sitenon the 240 . charlie makes a great point on baiting the same bear.

[protrapper]

You will be fine. There's more than one bear on that 240 acres. And you will draw 1 or 2 in. Keep doing what your doing.

[LindellProStaf]

Thanks on the warning sign deal.. I didn't know that and thought it would be a courtesy thing.

[CANOPY SAM]

It's been a few years since I set up a station, but I was thinking the same thing LPS. Kind of a courtesy, please gimme a little space here? People don't use manners much anymore when no one is lookin'.

Thanks for clarifying that these are no longer legal, guys.

Personally, Mo Gater, I'd guess you'll do fine on a 240 acre parcel. That's a good sized chunk of land. If you've got a little drainage, creek bottom, small river, or travel corridor like this running thru that 240, I'd be willing to wager you'll have multiple bear move thru there in a season. Good luck to ya' bud!

[Mo Gator]

Thanks for the advice guys. I had no idea that a bear's home range extends for miles. We know there's at least one bear around, got a picture of a smaller one on a trailcam set over a mineral block. And the picture was at 2pm! I'll share some results of our first week after we check the baits/cameras this weekend.

It sure is nice to have this forum to read, lots of good information about bear hunting, thanks again!

[protrapper]

Bears don't have a home range so to speak. Females with cubs do somewhat. They wander in search of food endlessly. I've had up to 8 diff bears on a site. They will hang around till they exhaust the food supply

[Mo Gator]

Ok good to know. I had assumed they had a home range like deer. So I suppose this also means if you don't have hits at your baits during the first week you should keep at it, cause chances are a bear will eventually wander into your area...

[BoxMN]

Good luck to you guys this weekend and season! Looking forward to seeing some cool pics!

[protrapper]

Ok good to know. I had assumed they had a home range like deer. So I suppose this also means if you don't have hits at your baits during the first week you should keep at it, cause chances are a bear will eventually wander into your area...

Yes sir. Especially on new baits.