honey burner?

[wipartimer]

Hey guys, got a couple   1) do you think burning honey (or molasses) at a bait site helps? 2) how do you cook it? got plans for a small, very portable unit? Hunting is winding down here an need to start lining up projects to get me thru spring and summer. Thanks :grin:

[Daveinthebush]

Yes many people do it. The heat will  get the scent moving around.  Haven't heard of anyone burning molasses. Best I have seen though is raspberry jello and marshmallows mixed together and heated.  Then the mixture is poured over a stump.

There are also some incense sticks out there that smell like berries.

[Geno]

Yes, it can and does work very well at times. We have used three different methods of this. But first let me stress, be VERY CAREFUL to prevent fires! Near the end of the honey's burn, generally the hot mixture reaches a flash point and will ignite into flames, especially using direct heat as I am about to explain. 1st method we use and maybe the best, take a 3 lb coffee can, attach a wire to the top to use as a handle (helps to carry and moce it without burning yourself). put about 6 charcoal briquets in the bottom (I like the match light variety for ease of lighting) light this. Put a 1 lb coffee can inside this on top of coals, add about 1 cup of honey. About 30 minutes smoke will slowly start emitting. This seems to be the slowest, longest scent distributing method. again, insure this setup is not near anything flamable and never leave it unattended. 2nd method we have used, similar to the first, but we were impatient and used a can of sterno instead of charcoal. Works great and fast. But it is very hot and lasts maybe 15 minutes but the scent lingers for a long time. More apt to ignite the honey into flames also, so be very careful. Also, it is almost embarrasing at the amount of white smoke created. I usually worry if a fire tower might calll it in. This method will also require wires poked through the 3 lb can in order to suspend the 1lb honey container above the Sterno.    The 3rd method is all I use any more, and then only when I initially start a bait. I have a 1 lb coffe can, pour a cup of honey in it and with a propane torch, heat the bottom of the can which immediattely creates huge amounts of white sweet thick smoke, this floods the area with this scent and is all over with in less than 5 minutes. On to the next bait site. I use this to get the scent going. Once bears find my baits, they remember where they are at, I find no need to honey burn after this.  These methods all work, try what works for you or a variation of this. Remember though, don't burn down the woods. you'll see what I mean when you try this.  good luck.

[Rmouleart]

Yes honey burns work in curtain conditions, but only in the direction of the wind, just setup looking in the direction of the smoke, I use a large coffee can and a small can, cut out some tabs on apposing side of the small can to raise it above the large coffee can(the small can fits into the large can to fit the can of sterno under the small can, leave around three inches for the sterno stay lite. I used a heavy coat hanger to carry it,like a paint can, cheap and works well, just don't put to much honey in the can, or it will over flow and go on fire, before using the burner, clear the area around to be safe.
The last time I used a burner I was with my father, we burned honey for a hour, sat another hour after, we saw no bears, so we headed out to make some lunch, walking down the logging road bumped into a black bear on the road, when he saw us he ran like no tomorrow, he was like a black blur, if we waited a Little longer Mr bear would of showed up, we were also at a bait site, figured it was a good idea, since we were not seeing bears and they were eating the bait, just when we weren't there;) Oh well keep patient and good luck. Aim small hit small. RAMbo.

[bigbore442001]

Would a honey burner work without a bait site? Could you just find a good location with some bear sign and set up a honey burner with a chance of getting a bear to come in on the scent alone?

[Rmouleart]

Yes it will work but not all the time, there is many variables involved, you need a hungry bear that is wondering or at least with in the range you are hunting, there should be bear sign in the area, find where they are feeding, apple orchard, beechnut ridge, berry ridge etc...now you need mother nature to cooperate and drift the honey smoke in the direction needed as well, I hunt mountain ridges and valleys as well, love to see the smoke blow up the ridge and long the mountain side, if there is any bears they should come to investigate, good to be in a blind or off the ground. Molasses works well for a mock bait site, smell carries for miles during daylight hours. Bears love molasses and bacon fat. I put bacon fat on the trees,about head high, if that don't bring them in nothing will. Sometimes the bears are just nocturnal and all you see is there scat. Also bears range, it may be days before he will return to the area, but if there is something to keep him in the area, he might stay a while
Aim small hit small. RAMbo.