Post by berniebac on Feb 1, 2014 19:24:05 GMT -4
Thought I would start a thread that might help out some people new to bear hunting. I am not an expert by any means. Last year was the first time I tried baiting. I had six bears visiting my bait so something must have worked. The idea behind this topic is to provide some tips to someone who wants to start out. So lets fill in what we do and maybe help get someone started.
Last year I purchased a 30 gal drum that had previously held water softner salt. I cut a hole about 1/3 of the way up from the bottom of the drum. I also used some steel strapping to lock the removable top in place on top of the barrel. I then used cable and cable clamps to tie it to a tree, tying it at the top and bottom. I drilled holes in the drum and thread the cable thru the holes and around the tree.
For bait I used oats and bran mixed together. I also mixed in a chocolate raspberry syrup that I boiled up myself using Kool-aid, coco powder, sugar and water. I would mix the oats, bran, and chocolate syrup in a bucket at the camp and carry the bucket to the bait site, emptying the bucket into the drum. Sometimes I would throw in a bottle of blueberry jam or some other sweet thing I picked up cheap.
For a stink bait, I tried strawberry twizzlers in a bucket, suspended above the bait. I don't think this worked, as I did not get any hits on the bait till I started putting out a little freezer burnt meat. But once I put the meat out, they started to hit regular. I also nailed two tins of sardines to a tree. They certainly liked that.
Although they hit the oats/bran mixture, I think I will try something different next year. They didn't seem to eat the oats and bran. They would just pull it out of the barrel and leave it on the ground. Now, after about three weeks of this, the oats/bran started to ferment. At that point Momma and three cubs moved in and vacuumed everything up. This coming year I am going to try corn and dog food mixed together. I'll add a little fryer grease. For a stink bait, I'll probably try some more meat, but not too much cause I don't want to sit over rotting meat.
So, does anyone have any advice for someone wanting to start baiting. Any tips or tricks to bring them in and keep them at the bait.
Sorry I don't have a pic of my drum with the hole in it. It is sitting lower left in the attached photo.
Last year I purchased a 30 gal drum that had previously held water softner salt. I cut a hole about 1/3 of the way up from the bottom of the drum. I also used some steel strapping to lock the removable top in place on top of the barrel. I then used cable and cable clamps to tie it to a tree, tying it at the top and bottom. I drilled holes in the drum and thread the cable thru the holes and around the tree.
For bait I used oats and bran mixed together. I also mixed in a chocolate raspberry syrup that I boiled up myself using Kool-aid, coco powder, sugar and water. I would mix the oats, bran, and chocolate syrup in a bucket at the camp and carry the bucket to the bait site, emptying the bucket into the drum. Sometimes I would throw in a bottle of blueberry jam or some other sweet thing I picked up cheap.
For a stink bait, I tried strawberry twizzlers in a bucket, suspended above the bait. I don't think this worked, as I did not get any hits on the bait till I started putting out a little freezer burnt meat. But once I put the meat out, they started to hit regular. I also nailed two tins of sardines to a tree. They certainly liked that.
Although they hit the oats/bran mixture, I think I will try something different next year. They didn't seem to eat the oats and bran. They would just pull it out of the barrel and leave it on the ground. Now, after about three weeks of this, the oats/bran started to ferment. At that point Momma and three cubs moved in and vacuumed everything up. This coming year I am going to try corn and dog food mixed together. I'll add a little fryer grease. For a stink bait, I'll probably try some more meat, but not too much cause I don't want to sit over rotting meat.
So, does anyone have any advice for someone wanting to start baiting. Any tips or tricks to bring them in and keep them at the bait.
Sorry I don't have a pic of my drum with the hole in it. It is sitting lower left in the attached photo.