Bear Hunt Question

[hunttrap]

I am currently in the planning process of an idaho spring bear hunt for this spring, and doing it diy. I'm heading out with my dad and we are hunting the week after memorial day. Our plan is to spot and stalk. Currently I am looking into unit 12 because of the larger population of bears I have read about in that area. I have never hunted bears in the past and I have never been to Idaho. My dad and I are avid backpackers and hikers and are in good physical shape. My plan for hunting is glassing clearings from a far (south facing slopes probably) that we hike into and also walk closed roads that have been re-seeded. I was also thinking that stalking up creek bottoms and glassing the green areas we come across would also be good. I have called the wild life biologist in that area and talked to them about expectations and hunt styles, but also would like some in put from other people that might have similar experiences in bear hunting. Would making a bait site for a 6 day hunt be worth it? What would I look for if I were to make a bait site for that short of a stay? What maps would any of you recommend or is a National Forest topo and a Roads map good enough? Are my methods above reasonable for this type of hunt? I really want this to be a good experience for us, so I am trying to be as prepared as possible. I wont have internet for the next couple of days so if you ask me a question or respond and I don't get back to you that is why..... Thanks for any help

 

[hunttrap]

any advice???

 

[meathunter]

Unit 12 has a lot of bears and you should have some bears come into bait in 6 days. It is thick and rugged, so spot and stalk can be difficult. Memorial day could be a little soon this year depending on the snow, but you should be fine. I hunted 12 in October and saw quite a few bears, mostly smaller ones. It is really hard to walk creek bottoms because of the thick forest. Try to find the elevation the bears are at and set baits. Predators, bears & wolves have really decimated the elk and deer populations there and get a wolf tag or five.. I personally think the bears need thinned out there to help deer and elk rebound. You really don't need a guide, set out baits at least 1 mile apart and good luck!

 

[hunttrap]

Thanks for the reply. I just want to make sure I am approaching this hunt in the right direction. When finding a bait site where do I start to look. Can I find locations from google earth just thinking through how the thermals will run. I assume I would put bait in thick brush, on a high ridge where the wind will take it down to a deep valley???? thanks

 

[go_deep]

If you can find hollow logs that works best and put a rock over it, so only a bear can get it off. If you just lay it on the ground you'll have squirrels, raccoon's, skunks, and every other critter in the county there eating it.

 

[ivorytip]

if you go the bait route, make some time to do some glassing, you very well may have better luck on a spot and stalk approach being how you only have 6 days.

 

[hunttrap]

That is what my plan is ivorytip. We plan to primarily spot and stalk, but if a bear hits our station we plan to try that option as well. My dad and I are going to be out there for 6 days. I am going to drive out there a few days early to set up a bait station, and make camp, scout, etc. He is going to fly out and I'll pick him up. Thats a good idea for using hollow logs. For a bait station I was going to get fryer grease, old donuts, and I've read a little about a honey burn. So how much bait would one use at a bait station. I think using too much bait and the bears would hit it at night more, too little and the wont find it. How much is enough? Thanks

 

[highplainsdrifter]

I have been baiting bears in Wyoming for four years. I have not yet shot one. I guess that makes me an expert on what not to do

Here are a few things I have learned. Bear baiting is all about scent. You need a lot of good scents for bears to find your bait (shellfish oil, anise, etc). It sometimes takes them awhile to find the bait. If you set your bait in an area where there is bear sign, you will be one step ahead. If no bear sign, you will be hoping a wondering bear will find your bait. In either case with only a week to hunt, the calendar will be working against you. I suggest you try a honey burn soon after you get there, if legal in Idaho.

I have found that getting bears to come to the bait is only the first step. Last fall, we had nine bears coming to our baits and still didn't shoot one. The bigger ones were strictly nocturnal. There were a couple of teenagers that I decided not to shoot. And a sow with two cubs was illegal. By the way, it is helpful to setup a trail camera so you know when bears are coming in.

This spring, I plan to try to limit access to my baits. In the past we had an open barrel full of bait. The big bears sat there all night and got full. They left just before daylight. I plan to enclose the opening in the barrel somewhat so they will have to work at getting to the bait. That will slow them down and maybe they will be hungry enough to risk feeding during the day.

Good luck on your hunt!

 

[go_deep]

Best time to bait a site is right at first light in the morning, then the bears will come out during daylight to beat the other bears to the bait. If legal to use used deep fry oil, use it. Take it and through it up into the trees and around the ground at the bait site. Cookie dough also works really well, and popcorn.

 

[MOhunter28]

Never baited bears out west but I use to live in Arkansas and we always were fired up about baiting bears for archery season. If its a good area and you have good smelling bait it can be very quick time till they find it. We of course had black bear. Some of our best baits were a sardine can nailed to a tree high enough they would have to stand to reach (helped judge a bears height as well), doing a honey burn, beaver castor (this is incredible to use it you can get a beaver carcass as well), and used cooking oil. Earliest we ever had a bear come into a barrel was 1 1/2 days. If they are around the immediate area they will investigate. Use dog food to keep them coming.

 

[hunttrap]

Do you have to worry about bears eating at your trail cameras. Is this a common thing to happen? Talked to someone who told me a story of losing a trail cam. Wondering how common this is lol.

 

[bghunter]

Spoiled meat and scent of fresh blood should attract bears very quickly just check if it is legal.

 

[highplainsdrifter]

Do you have to worry about bears eating at your trail cameras. Is this a common thing to happen? Talked to someone who told me a story of losing a trail cam. Wondering how common this is lol.

I have had bears mess with my cameras several times, but so far no damage. They are very curious. Try not to spread scent from your hands to the camera when refreshing the bait.