BWCA bear hunt

[Powerstroke]

Has anyone tried a BWCA bear hunt and had success doing it?

I'm super curious about trying it this year. I don't have the time or the abilities to do a bunch of baiting, so why not try a hunt where pile baiting is not allowed?

I see the numbers are always fairly low for this type of hunt, but what the heck? Combine it with a BWCA trip and some walleye fishing and you can't beat it.

[nofishfisherman]

Any excuse to be in the BWCA.

I'm sure you could talk to ranger stations or outfitters and ask them about problem bears in the area. I'd bet they'd be more than happy to point you in the right direction to the campsites they have been hitting. Then maybe set up something with a good smell to draw them in for the free meal they are use to.

That would probably be your best bet to get some sort of pattern on a bear.

[Powerstroke]

That was my plan. I figure all of the rangers and the outfitters have a grasp on the problem areas. I'm sure they would be happy to share a few locations where bears frequent.

[Duffman]

You should be able to find out where the problem bears are located.

The only thing I would be worried about is getting all that meat out before it spoils.

Speaking of, I wonder what freeze dried food fed bear meat tastes like.

[nofishfisherman]

Depending on where you hunt getting the bear out quickly may not be too bad just make sure you pick a spot to hunt that is no more than a couple hours paddle to the entry point (that covers much of the BWCA). It might mean you are paddling the bear out after dark but I'd start paddling it back as soon as possible while leaving the rest of your gear at camp. That way you are only dealing with the bear on your way to the EP.

Have coolers in the truck and have a plan for where to get ice when you get it out. Maybe even freeze large blocks of ice ahead of time and pack a cooler tight with the blocks and then wrap the cooler in a blanket. A cooler packed absolutely full of solid blocks should stay at least partially frozen for several days at minimum so at least you'll have some ice to work with when you get the bear out.

Then once the bear is on ice go back and break camp and get your gear out. Technically that plan would be against the rules since once you leave the BWCA you technically can't reenter without a new permit but I'm not sure I'd worry too much about that. I think most reasonable FS rangers would see the reason.

[jerkbait]

You could pack in a cooler with dry ice. That would keep it cool for sure.

[Powerstroke]

Well, I did not get a leftover tag. They were gone in minutes, but it is certainly something I want to do some day.

[jerkbait]

Minutes. Heck I think seconds. I did not get one either. I was after area 12. Oh well, next yea I will get drawn.

[Powerstroke]

To the points about spoiling meat and coolers etc.... People have been hunting in the wilderness and without refrigeration for just about ever. Yes packing out your meat is of utmost importance, but it doesn't spoil overnight. Getting your meat hung up in bags and in the shade will buy you plenty of time.

Unfortunately some of the skills that are practiced routinely in the western areas of this country are not commonplace here. Midwesterners could learn a thing or two about game care, myself included.

That being said, I'm still very interested in trying this type of hunt. Yes, I have a giant, well-insulated cooler that I can fill with ice, but it will be staying in my truck at the EP.

I've done some other reading that said trying to hunt "nuisance" bears is not generally effective since most of those bears are very savvy about campers and campsites. It can be done, but since hunting is not allowed near campsites, you are either inviting a bear into your campsite or you need to hunt away from a camp and the bear wants to be in the camp. Doesn't really work well.

I will be putting in for this in the future. I look forward to the challenge.