baiting issues

[fallfrenzy1]

I have been baiting the full season now and have had no success. Tried many different things such as honey burns, hanging fish in the trees, liquid smoke, squirting the trees with some sweet smelling scent, donunts and bread (constantly). I thought that maybe I was just in a bad spot, but I am near a swampy area with a small stream flowing through. I also thought that maybe I am competing with others but that shouldn't be the issue any longer. I have had no hits on the bait yet (that I am aware of). Something has dug under two of my stations so I set out sand and found it to be raccoons. What can I do here. I am obviously wanting to get my bear, but at this point having one come in to watch would be satisfying enough.

[charliepete2]

Personally I think bread is terrible for bear baits. I've had baits that were going nice turn off when I used bread and bagels, even soaked with molasses and syrup. I'd stick with the sweets if you can. Also, if you have had bait sitting out for almost a month and it's full of mold, take a shovel and bury it. Start over. Bears might eat moldy food in a pinch, but they like fresh.

I've had good success later in the fall as the bears put on the push to fatten up for the winter. You might want to evaluate where you have you're baits. It doesn't matter what you put out if there aren't bears in the area. Look for swampy lowlands. If the sun never shines on your bait in a days time so much the better. The thicker the area the earlier the bears come out in my experience. You can get them to come stand in the open in an aging hardwoods, but it's much easier to get on them in the swamps. Don't give up yet. Try some broadcast baiting. Put out lots of smaller baits and see what hits and then pile it on. Cover the smaller test baits with logs and wet them down with molasses. On your way in and out walk through molasses so you are tracking it through the woods.

Be smart when you pick out baits sites. Just don't put them out willy nilly. Look for natural funnels in the land that will bring animals past you're bait. Putting out a good bait isn't unlike finding a good whitetail stand.

[lichen fox]

I agree with the Hub...if you haven't got hit in 4 weeks it's definatly time to get moving!! I prefer to start my baits with a grain screening mixture...about 2 gallons of sunflower or other grain screenings mixed with a gallon of fryer grease and a gallon and a half to two gallons of melter's honey or sweet molassass. Mix it all up real well and dump it in a burlap sack when you get to your bait site. Top off the bag with a gallon pail full of sweet rolls and tie it shut and hang it in a tree about 6-7 feet off the ground. I'll also carry an extra gallon of grease to the site and fling it into the trees with a cup. Saturate the area with scent. If there's a bear close by he'll surely find it! When the bag is ripped open and eaten up start your bait on the ground. You can hang alot of these bags in a day if you're not sure of where the bears may be in your area. Good luck!

[RussDaBuss]

That is the same idea I did as well. We hung "test baits" in a tree (7' high, 1-2" tree).I put sweet rolls in an old shirt along with a fish or fish guts just to get the stink out there. Then sprayed liquid smoke everywhere.. When the bear found it they simply grabbed the tree and broke it. That way, no question it was a bear. Then start baiting on the ground. Good Luck!

[Boss Hogg]

My problem is a nocturnal bear. He has been hitting my site everyday (or night) since I started. I have 320 acres, so competition is not a problem. My plan is to totally stop feeding him, and start again in about 4 or 5 days. Maybe this will change his attitude. This has always been a good bait site. I have gotten bear about every other year. If anyone has any ideas, I would appreciate any advice. Thanks

[roosterslayer]

maybe try using a different type of bait that he is not used to, I was always using sweets and my bear got used to it and started coming in at night. I switched to some meats and other item and he started hitting during the day. only problem is that i haven't had a chance to hunt it since the opener, and i have family that is putting out fresh bait every day, or in other words just feeding him now.

[fallfrenzy1]

Thanks for all the feedback. I am heading out tonight and trying a few of the tactics. I probably won't be able to move and create new stations because my time is limited. I truely think there are bear in the area that I am at (they have been seen earlier in the summer). From local reports around here it sounds like others are having similar problems with them coming in. Only 24 bears registered at the local place as of Saturday. I will just have to be persistent and try new things. If there are more suggestions, keep them coming. One more thing, how do you create a successful honey,grease burn out in the woods?

[RussDaBuss]

I would answer this but I am not too experienced with it either! I use a coffee can to house the sterno or candle. Towards the top I run some wire side by side to support a smaller can. In this smaller can I pour bacon grease and sometimes add a little honey and or maple syrup or anise. My problem has been sterno getting too hot and burning it to a crisp before you know it. I have used candles and they work ok. I need to experiment a little more to get the right heat. I think you want it to just simmer a bit to get the steam a going. Smells good in the stand .. Anyone else with other neat ideas??

[Boss Hogg]

The way that I set up a bacon burn is like this: Get a 3lb coffee can and cut slits in the side for air. Set a can of sterno inside. On top of the coffee can set an aluminum foil pan or tray. Bend the foil so the center has a pocket. Then poke a few small holes in the foil so when the bacon starts to render out, it drips into the fire and really smokes up the woods. The trick is not to let too much grease into the fire. Before long you will the whole woods smelling like the smoke house in the butcher shop.