How early do you start bear baiting

[wyldewal]

I was wondering how early everyone starts baiting for bear. I know with the berries ripening there is a lot of food in the woods, but I was thinking of starting soon. I was also wondering how long it takes for the bears to hit your bait, I've seen them hit it the same night it's put out, but other times it takes more than a week. It's my first year bear huning and I have lots of questions.

Good hunting evryone

[SCAT]

Baiting is not legal until the 13th of August.

[wyldewal]

In Wisconsin there is no limitations on when you can start baiting bears. I know in Minnisota there are. I should have said I was from Wisconsin.

[kevfish]

If I am reading the law correctly you can bait bears any time you want in MN. You just cannot hunt within 100 yards of a location that you baited prior to Aug. 13th

[outdoor ran]

Wyldewal, I hear that cell phones make good bear bait Sorry couldn't help myself.

[beretta]

Kev. your right it is legal as long as you dont hunt within 100 yards. I have 2 "test" baits out now. I put them out sunday and havent checked them yet.

[wyldewal]

The cell phone was so the bears could call when they needed more food. LOL

[wyldewal]

Swamp,
This is my first year wit a tag. It took me about 5 years to get one. But I have high hopes, there are lots of bears in the area. I'm huntng just south of superior, and the stand and pit are ready to go.
Thanks

[Swamp Scooter]

Wyldewal,

WI you can bait from April through the season in October. I would be getting stuff out ASAP. If you have an area already, the time is now. It should only take a few days to find the bait but in WI you CANNOT use meat, honey, solid fat either. This makes the scent trail a lot more difficult to establish. I would go with sweets and burn honey while you are out there. Also get fryer grease and pour that around your baits, I think you still can use it if it is not a beef tallow. Sweet corn, and also some of the syrup or jello flavoring can be good. You can only put out 10 gallons at a time too.

I tried for the last few years to get a tag but not yet. Where are you hunting?

Wish I was shooting or even filming this year. Try again next time.

[Swamp Scooter]

Great to hear. I am in the Iron River area and have not gotten the 1A tag yet. Should next year.

There is the day old bread store in Superior. Also a lot of fast food restaurants where you could get used oil, that would be legal too.

The berries are coming but are still needing some time to ripen.

Do you have a place you stay or drive up from home? I am not hunting, as I said, but will be at the cabin during the opening if you need any help, yes even dragging one out. I would bring my atv too.

If not maybe you could catch some of the hunt on film!

Fellow hunters unite for the experience!!

Good luck.

[wyldewal]

If things work out and I shoot that big one, I might take you up on that offer Of the ATV, if me and my buddy can't move the thing.

A man can dream can't he. HA HA HA.

[Swamp Scooter]

wyldewal,

Even a 200# one is very heavy and hard to move. How far to get out of the woods for you? I had an uphill battle about 3/4 of a mile. It would have been very time consuming and tough to get it out. I had 4 other people helping.

We hauled it away and then gutted it ASAP. Another hunter of ours took over the stand when we left with the bear.

Have you read Nordberg's book? Helped me out a lot in getting all the necessary things together.

Hope you get a chance to film it. Good luck.

Look me up if you want help, before the opening weekend. Love to do it. It is just fun seeing one.

e-mail me if you want info. weyer003 at umn dot edu

[This message has been edited by Swamp Scooter (edited 08-06-2004).]

[This message has been edited by Swamp Scooter (edited 08-06-2004).]