calling basics?

[rookie_j]

the bears have given up hitting our baits (maybe they'll be back, maybe not)... looking for other options, have been reading about predator calling bears.

heading up to northern minnesota tomorrow and planning on hitting it hard. the area we are hunting has quite a bit bear sign and bears have been on our baits and sighted within 1/4 mile of our baits.

tips, experiences and opinions appreciated.

[talon]

I don't know anything about calling, but there was a thread on this forum a little while back where one writer suggested that if you call a bear in, it will come in looking for something to kill and eat. Not a thin to do from a ground blind, I think!
I'm in area 25. Last night I believe there as a 50% opportunity for those using a guide service to see a bear. Mostly small bears were harvested, small being from 80-120# or so. Usually 2.5 year olds. Berries are mostly done now, and there's few acorns and hazelnuts around due to the dry and cool Spring and Summer.  You will be hunting baits you've established and maintaine: good.  Putting new baits down now may not be at all productive. And, putting baits in areas you are not familiar with may create " people problems" at this stage of the hunt. As a matter of fact Minnesota is on the cusp of implementing several new required procedures as to bear baiting because of non-sportsmen like behavior and over saturation of hunting areas that have been recently experienced.

[tony212]

A couple of quick things about bears and bait and calling.  First bears love sweets, doughnuts, candy, chocolate, they also love grease. However, they can't live on sweets and grease.  They need protein. Yes sweets will attract them but it won't keep them coming. After a while they need something more substantial.  If you want to keep them interested in your bait use sweets to attract them then switch to dry dog food.  It doesn't have to be expensive dog food, Wal-mart brand for $10.00/50lbs works  great.  The dog food has all the protein and nutrients they need. As long as they have those needs satisfied they will keep coming.  
About calling, I have had really good luck using a cub distress call to call bears.  The only thing about it is it is almost impossible to call a bear in cold. Usually you use the call after you have spotted one and you need to call it in that last 50 yards or so for a good shot.  They also work well to get the bear to stand up giving you a shot when they are in tall blackberry bushes.
   Hope this helps
tony212

[Sourdough]

Squalling baby bears, squelling rabbit, and fawn bleats, all seem to work.  Just remember that a bear can move awfully quite and that it is coming in to kill something to eat, or take a meal away from something else smaller than itself.  A few years ago a hunter was sitting and calling using a fawn bleat.  The hunter was sitting with his back to a stump.  A Coastal Brown Bear slipped up behind him.  The bear killed and ate the hunter.  Calling is fun and exciting, just be careful.