What is the best bait?

[bearfat]

redfox33 I had photo probs myself. Even though I downloaded a few pics right from my hard drive (as you can see from previous pics) I eventually got shut down saying my folder was full.

Go to home page under "Forums Support"

Look for post started by "I am Cal...", specifically, "(Q/A)-(Answered) Posting pictures"

Graybeard gives DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS. I'm back with pic's baby!!!! If you go to the test forum you'll see a wolf and bear skull I test posted yesterday. I had more luck with "photobucket.com" than "myhostedpics" (would not load for some reason).

Bears took off with camera ehhh? My buddy had his messed with too. Must be the flash? He got a beautiful shot of a big blob looking right at the camera, the next shot showed a paw coming in to swat the camera, which he found askew and partially open with a muddy paw print on it.

You must have a bear by now? If they're night feeding try the bacon or honey burn to bring them in at sundown. Also use the two hunter drop off trick. Come in with two hunters to rebait making alot of noise. Drop off the bait and leave one hunter. Have the other hunter that leaves make alot of noise talking, hooting, hollering...you get the idea.

They're smart but not that smart. I've heard wolf can count but bear can't? All I know is we have done it and one hour later....BOOMMMM!


                                          Rendered bear fat in a jar.

Mixed with bee's wax makes a good leather preservative? Going to try it with and without. The bee's wax I know closes off the pores for the leather to breath, don't know if the bear fat does the same.

Very little smell to bear fat. Womenfolk hardly notice!!

[huntmdown]

Hi Guys,
I'm back! The easiest way to upload pictures is to use Photobucket! http://s113.photobucket.com/
You'll need to create an account! It's easy! Follow the step by step instructions to upload pictures, videos from your PC to the website. It will do the rest for you! Once it's done, arrow down to the image box, right cllick on the link,/copy and paste ithat link into your message here.

If you guys need help send a PM I'll be happy to post it for you!

[redfox33]

GOT ONE!!!!!!!!  My first black bear AND my first archery kill, just started achery 4 yrs ago.  What an awesome experience!!  Thanks to all.  I couldn't have done it without all the good advice.  It didn't happen the way I expected though.  I left work early and was going out to bait before heading back.  While I was baitng I heard something walking off in the distance.  Lot of dry dead leaves on the ground and thank goodness for thick brush this time.  I had been there maybe 10 minutes when I heard him.  I had brought my bow "just in case", glad I did.  I hurried and ran up to my stand.  He came out like I hadn't even been there and went straight to the unfinished bait pile.  I double lunged him at 17 yards and he piled up 40 yards from there.  Not like I had planned but I'll take it!!!!  Nobody mentioned the moaning noises they make while dying talk about making the hair on the back of my neck stand up.  He weighed just over 200lbs and has a nice coat.  He wasn't the biggest one hitting the bait but had a decent head and paws and I'm not picky.

Went there about 1:30, he came in at 1:45, on the ground at 2pm.  What a 1/2 hour.

Thanks again.  I'll have pictures later.

[huntmdown]

Awesome! Congrats! I sent you a PM!

[bearfat]

Congrats... I was thinking you got skunked.

I've only heard of the bawling from bow hunters that make lung shots.

Give us details. What worked what didn't. How'd your partner do?

[redfox33]

My cousin doesn't bowhunt so he is going to wait for muzzleloading season to open.  Then he'll go only if he isn't deer hunting. 

As far as what worked.  The corn and sweets did good for a couple of weeks.  The molasses wasn't so hot though.  When the acorns started to fall they didn't frequent the bait as often so we switched things up.  We used the 'bear knockout' from huntmdown to draw them back.  Then stopped corn/sweets and went to dogfood, sardines, imitation vanilla extract, donuts, and candy fruit slices.  When we switched we actually drew a couple of new ones.  They were coming in anywhere from 1pm through all night.  Mornings were'nt so good. 

I do believe I got busted at least twice while on the stand.  They were days with a slight breeze at my face and both times I heard something walking up in the brush behind me.  The thing is that all the trails were in front of me so if one came in on the paths I'd be safe.  I would hear the movement behind me, the breeze would pick up and then nothing else.  I guess they circled around the bait and got the wind and busted me.  I was even using scentkiller for that reason but I guess it isn't fool proof.

I'm traditionally a deer hunter but after that experience I honestly believe I have found a new passion.  The only thing that saddens me now is I'll have to wait 'til next year to hunt another one.  One per season limit.  Next year though I'm going to "TRY" and hold out for one of the bigger ones if they come back or haven't met their fate by then.

[bearfat]

I suspect it was the bigger one's you heard behind you circling and checking it out first. Well...certainly the smarter ones.

Tough to beat the wind. I've been in my outhouse up at the shack watching the smoke come out of our chimney which is about 15 feet off the ground. Even with a good wind sooner or later it will let up and allow smoke to drift down to the ground every which way.

The past 4-5 years I've gone about 30 feet up in my portable for deer. That seems to make a better difference for me. But I've had to contend with the steep angle and adjusting the shot higher. Plus almost fell last year.

Where's the pic's?

[jro45]

When I went bear hunting the place up in Ontario 800 or 900 miles up. used butch shop bones with meat on them. He had about 60 baits to check every day or as many as posible
He had one other guy working for him helping take hunters out to the stands and check baits
Every now and then he would use some sweets on the meat. That meat was rip.

[redfox33]

Finally went to photobucket.com.  Here are some pics hope they can be seen. 

[redfox33]

Here are some more.



Here's me and my first bear with a bow.  He weighed well over 200lbs.  He may look small next to me but I'm no little guy at 6'8" 275lbs.

 

[redfox33]

Here are the bigger ones visiting the bait site.  We put the t-post at the site to help judge the size of the bears.  It is between 62"-64" tall, can't remember the exact measurement.







Hope ya'll enjoyed the pictures.

[bearfat]

Very good!!!!

I like the measuring post for size. Not that I wait. I generally take the 1st old girl that walks in the bar.

I downloaded and blew up bear in creek bed but can't make out what is across belly/chest area. Either a camera strap or one heck of a wound?

Did you save the claws? I hang mine off visor in truck.



You could have a nice silver cap put on end with a chain hasp whatever for Christmas gifts. Something to think about. If you did save them obviously they're in freezer. Best way I found to deal with them is:

1) Put paw in vice still frozen.
2) Hacksaw off (5) claws. This will be the only time you want to use the hacksaw so make sure length is correct
3) Use box cutter for finish work, whittling hair, bone, meat off.
4) Fingernail polish (clear hard polish) to strenghten and give nice shiny look to.

The natural end cap will be white claw/tendon? Like I say you could have or make your own custom caps and glue on end. Cheapest route is just drill a hole in them, insert chain like photo above.

5 claws per foot = 20 Christmas gifts. Believe me the box cutter trimming, whittling work is at least 1 hour per claw. They're getting a nice home made gift. I think I used some for key chains too.

[redfox33]

That is the exit wound from my 100 gr G5 Tekans at 17 yards.  He only went 40 yards but the blood loss on the trail was unreal.  I never knew how devastating a bow could be, he never knew what hit him.  The claws are with the rest of the body at the taxidermist.  I'm getting a 3/4 body mount done on him.  Your idea with saving them are cool.  I like the one hanging on the visor, that one must have been a big bear.