Hogging bear stations prior to legal bait setting opens

[almostthere!]

Went to set bait last Saturday and found out that the areas where I wanted to bait either has a nicely cut pile of logs or both a nicely cut pile of logs and bait signs. We where the only one in the parking lot at 7AM; it is the only way in to the hunting area. Finally, around 10AM, a group of baiters met up with us at one of the location which I hunt deer regularly and told us that they have already marked a station there: we did not see any log piles nor signs. Plus, they have marked all of the likely spots in that particular area two weeks earlier. We didn't want to argue so we left that area to them.

Later, after returning from a bait station which we have just made, there sits the other group. One of them claimed that we were too close to his station: one which has not been set yet. After asking where his station will be, I told him that the two stations are quite far; at least 5 times the legal limit.

We had a friendly conversation and here is the money maker statement from the guy: "why did you guys scout so late?" Why ask someone who knows the area like the back of his hand to scout early? What I think he meant to say was, "why didn't you come and mark your stations earlier like us?"

Is this legal to do? Mark your spots 2 weeks prior to legal baiting. Then show up late to set bait and when someone is in the process of making a bait station, tell them that you have already marked the area for your station or their bait station is too close to yours?

[roosterslayer]

I am sorry to hear that you have run into so many dincks, that is the exact reason i stopped hunting public property near grand rapids. the last time i checked if it is public land that you hunting it is all public and you can hunt where ever you want to.

[Swamp Scooter]

Maybe I read it wrong but if you were out on Saturday to begin you were a day late. It opened Friday at 12:01am. I agree that if you have an area planned out you do not need to go weeks in advance to scout. You also are alright to bait anywhere you want too.

Too bad that others cannot see the forest for their baits!

If they had stuff marked with a sign earlier than the opening day then just call the CO and let them know. The info is on the signs and it is all they need. They have to register the baits too within 24 hours of establishing them so the CO will know the scetion to watch.

Just make sure you have the better bait. Fresher, more unique and limited quantities will win them over. All you need to do is see the bear first one time, right?

Good luck

[CANOPY SAM]

Scooter is exactly right. If there is any question just call the DNR. Every bait station must be legally registered with the DNR. Hunter name, and license number should be clearly written on the signage and must be within a given number of feet of the station. Each hunter is supposed to provide the GPS coordinates to each site that they run.

If you didn't know this, then I'd have to wonder what you were doing out making bait stations? It's all very clear in the regs - read em'! If you are unsure of others stations give the DNR a call with the info they have posted on their signs. If they aren't legal tell the DNR and they'll follow up on it, or at least they'll call the hunter. You can always start a station a couple hundred yards away - just do it legally.

There is tons of open land to hunt around GR, and tons of bear. It's just an animal. Don't get into a big twist cause someone else got to a good spot before you did. Stations could be legally marked, registered and started at 12:00 noon August 11th. It's another story if they claimed it two weeks ago.

[Neiko]

That sucks. I know I had cut some logs for our bait sites 2 weeks earlier but knew that someone else could claim that spot on opening bait day. It was a chance I took and it worked out for me. I have the friday of baiting off so I usually get my spots. I would let the CO know but I am sure there isn't much he could do if it was after the baiting season started. He could keep an eye on them though because if they will break the law for baiting I am sure there is some other law they will break trying to get a bear.

[BLACKJACK]

Quote:

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I know I had cut some logs for our bait sites 2 weeks earlier but knew that someone else could claim that spot on opening bait day.

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I'm not a bear hunter/baiter but this sounds like the same argument concerning hunters erecting permanent deer stands on public land, once they erect a stand, they're claiming that spot. Yes, some other hunter could come along and hunt that stand but who wants an argument on opening of deer hunting. The same with this precutting of logs to cover your bait with, you're claiming that spot before the legal time to start baiting.

[almostthere!]

sam,

I know exactly what the law is. Stay cool. None of us has the time off from work on Friday to stake the claims. As for the other party, they were in the same situation and none of them made it out on Friday, either. The only thing the other party did differently was cut log piles and place the bear baiting sign on the atv trail: they did not place the name tag on the actual site. The problem is, they told us we could not make our stations because they had already marked, scouted, placed logs, or made claims to the area 2 weeks prior to legal baiting. And, I do know that it is first come, first served on public land: we were the first ones there. If we had follow that general rule, we would have been done making our stations and be long gone before the other party showed up.

There are a lot of lands and a lot of bears, but when 500+yards is not far enough, something is wrong. And to clear up the misunderstanding, they did not legally make the stations before we got there.

I am just ranting... I could have called the DNR, but I hunt in the area. Why create another hunting incident like the one in Wisconsin?

[gorrilla]

Its illegal to cut, stack, or arrange logs or dig pits, or do "bait station preparation" ahead of last Friday. That includes hanging signs. I'm all for the DNR limiting hunters to 4 baits each and guides to 12 sites. The person who has there name on the sign should also be able to walk the CO to bait sight to ensure that he was the one who created it too.

I've heard of unethical slobs and wannabe guides who just rocket around public forest roads on opening day of baiting just hanging signs as fast as they can to claim all the area possible. If you are one of these slobs and can even read, then just know your a reason for the dwindling number of hunters. Lets look at our ethics guys, do we really want to lose hunting because of low recruitment rates, and frustrated hunters giving up? If we all enjoy hunting so much then we need to be less greedy, rude, and stupid if we want it to continue...

[Neiko]

Gorilla, I am not trying to be a jerk here but more for my own info could you show me where it says that in the regs? I know you can not post a site prior to Friday. I also know you can put out test bait prior to the season but when the season comes you have to be atleast 100 yds away from the test site. Unless they changed that this year. Cutting logs of down trees is perfectly legal I believe but I am not perfect. Remember it is what you learn after you know everything that counts.

[BIGBORE]

I HAVE TO GIVE GORRILLA A HAND, HE HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD IN HIS SECOND PARAGRAPH. PEOPLE RUNNING AROUND LIKE FOOLS P/O'D THAT SOMEONE ELSE GOT THE EASY SPOT THEY WANTED GET OUT THERE AND LOOK EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO GO IN A LITTLE BIT FARTHER. YOU WILL FIND A BETTER SPOT.

AS A GROUP WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL OF THE WONDERFUL THINGS THAT WE HAVE, THE RIGHTS TO EXPERIENCE THE OUTDOORS, IF WE DONT WATCH IT THE ANTI GROUPS WILL COME RITE IN AND USE THE VERY STUFF WE PUT IN THESE PAGES AGAINST US. WE ALL NEED TO STAND TOGETHER AND FOLLOW THE REGULATIONS, IF WE HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THEM THE DNR IS MORE THAN WILLING TO CLAIRIFY IT UP FRONT TO SAVE THEM THE HASTLE OF HAVING TO BE A REFAREE IN A DISPUTE BETWEEN TWO HUNTERS.

ITS NOT ABOUT THE LIMIT ALL THE TIME IT IS ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE OF IT ALL.

BIGBORE