DEER FLIES, MOSQUITOS, HORSE FLIES....OH MY!!!

[metrojoe]

I know the bear hunter numbers are down this year, but I only saw two other people out baiting on Friday. Did everybody wait until Saturday?

[RussDaBuss]

We went out on Saturday.. HOT!! We did not see too many others out either. We are hunting southwest of Mille Lacs. Talking to locals, sounds like a lot of bear around. Hopefully getting some action on the baits...

[Fisher Dave]

I havent seen anyone in my area baiting.. I know theres a very good berry crop in my area.. hope this doesnt slow it down too much for you guys.

[Johnny B]

RussDaBuss,
Sounds as though you may not be too far from where I hunt: southwest side of Mille Lacs. I have not been up for a couple of months now and I was wondering if it is as dry around there as it is here in the city. The trails to my stands have several low spots and last year they were just terrible getting through. One good thing about it: there is one section of the trail that had a big pool of smooth, soft mud and I could see the footprints of every critter that passed through. Deer, coons, fox and one bear.

[RussDaBuss]

Johnny B
The area I hunt is low as well. This spring I had standing water in areas which are now dry (still a little soft though). It has dried out considerably up there. Are you bear hunting as well this fall? Should be good.

[metrojoe]

Ya, Friday was a killer too, didn't really want to go, but it didn't look like we were going to get a break from the heat anytime soon.
Well, got out to check them baits yesterday and no sign of any bears. Won't make it up until the weekend now. Hope to have some activity between now and then.

joe

[This message has been edited by metrojoe (edited 08-20-2003).]

[Johnny B]

RussDaBuss,
Unfortunately, I will not be bear hunting this year. I plan to bow-hunt (deer) starting the weekend of Sept 27th and will hunt every weekend through firearm season. The bug hit me hard last year: I had every Friday off work from mid-September through the end of November and was in a stand as much as possible. Last year was fabulous. I can only hope that this year is even remotely close.

I spoke with someone today that also bear hunts the area, he told me that most of the feeders/baits that are getting hit are those closer to water. Makes sense since you all say that it is so dry up there.

Of all the time I have spent in a deer stand, I have never once seen a bear. Have you guys ever seen one while deer hunting?

[RussDaBuss]

I have not seen a bear yet while deer hunting. I have only bow hunted for deer a few times up there. Will be doing more in the future. I rifle hunt for deer there but by that time the bear are down. This is the first year I have hunted for bear. I have followed buddies in the past years , but never actually did it myself. I just hope I see one. Once again, talking with locals, the bear are around. Now just need some luck and patience come the 1st.... Good Luck Bow Hunting!

[metrojoe]

I've never seen a bear on stand while hunting bear or deer. By the time bear season was over last year I was a liitle fried and didn't enjoy the deer archery season as much. May opt to use a guide for bear next year, we'll see how things go.

We've got all our baits near and around swamps. I did notice the low muddy areas were much drier this year, but last year was really a wet year so this may be more normal.

I may have to rethink my stategy and hang up a bird feeder

[This message has been edited by metrojoe (edited 08-20-2003).]

[humpback]

i dumped about 500 lbs of bait near the north shore. found one print in soft mud about a mile from the bait. hope he smells that stinky stuff.lots of rasberry in the area.keep posting back, id like to here how baits are getting hit.