I hope other people lend their expertise, as well, so that you can get a well-rounded idea of how this works. This is how I do it.
I look for an area with good bear travel (there should be water nearby, such as a lake, river, pond, swamp). You said the farmer has two large bears, so you already know bears are there. The next step it to find some thick cover away from the farm at least 1/4 mile if possible. The idea is to set your bait and stand up in a secluded area where those bruins will feel safe coming to the bait during dayling hours. Thick cover helps provide that safety for them.
There are many ways to set up a bait. You could dig a small hole in the ground, one at least big enough to fit a five gallon bucket worth of food in. And the lay some logs (fairly hefty) across them. I did this my first year, but never again. If it rains a lot, your bait will get washed out and soggy. A bear won't touch it then. So, I have since switch to tactic B. I bait on top of the ground.
I start with a piece of ply wood on the gound. My bait goes on top of that. Then I line up two good-sized logs of at least 6 inches diameter laying parallel to each, one on either side of the bait. I then put more logs on top of those two, except these logs will be perpendicular to those first two. The idea is to cover the bait up and plug the necessary holes in order to keep the 'coons, etc. from accessing the bait first. You could even then throw another piece of ply wood over the top of all that to keep it all dry. There is no limit to how fancy this set-up can be, but it isn't always necessary. Also, you can set up the bait pit with a big tree(s) or brush pile behind it in order to funnel the bears in from the front of sides. This is easier said then done, but it can help in setting up the shot (broadside, quartering away) the way you want it.
The bait should be in an area where there is a good stand-tree within 25 yards or so. If the brush is really thick where you can't see thru it more than ten yards, go ahead and set up the bait site within good eyesight of that tree, even if it's within 10-15 yards. You can always trim a little brush to help you see better. Trimming too much brush becomes counterproductive, as you will want some cover to keep yourself somewhat hidden.
Make sure you set up the stand to the bait so that the sun will set at your back (preferrably) or your side. Never face the sun, unless there are big mature trees ahead of you that will block out the glare by 4-5 p.m. I like to place my stands between 15-20 feet off the ground, but it doesn't really matter as long as you can see what's going on well enough.
Baiting and hunting tactics can vary year to year, as I have learned, depending mainly almost entirely on the bear's natural food sources. Last year was too wet, and they had abundant natural food sources (berries, acorns, etc). This year they will be so happy to get any bait that is left out for them. So, your choices on what to give them doesn't have to be as well thought out and planned. But, I still like to give them a smorgessboard of stuff they like. I use: Valentine sweet-heart candies, candy corn, dog food, oats, food scraps, meat scraps, watermellon, grease, and molasses. I buy some of those sweets locally from Cory Carlson at
www.lucky7bearbait.comBaiting frequency is important too. Everyone does it differently. I start my first couple baitings to be 3-4 days apart, allowing the bears in the area ample time to find it. I make sure that I put out plenty of bait (2-3 five gallon bucket fulls) each time to ensure they don't run out right away and get bored. Then I will go about every two days, throwing out a bucket or two each time, until I get to the final 2-3 days before opener. At that point I switch to every day, giving them smaller amounts. The idea is to attract a big bear, and then keep that big bear there and make him greedy by reducing the baiting amounts. The increased frequency may also encourage them (him) to come in every day.
That is all theoretical, as other baiting methods work well too. You said that you won't be able to tend the baits Mon-Thurs, so you will either have to: get someone else to bait for you during those days you work, or you will have to put a lot of bait out each time you do bait. Big bears will go thru a lot of bait fast. The goal is to give them just enough to keep from running out for more than a day, but not give them too much that the bait goes bad, etc. The advantage of doing all the baiting yourself is that you control the scent left in that area. It can be good to leave a little human scent around so that they have a chance to get used to it. But, if another person baits, you never know what that person may do that could end up screwing up your chances of seeing a good bear.
When I bait I like to spray mollasses or grease on the surrounding brush. It gets the scent out quite well. They love fryer grease. Also, make sure that you bait at roughly the same time each time you do it, and it should be between 12 noon and 4 p.m. ideally, but I know people that have baited later in the day and still shot bear. The big ones are likely to come in sometime right before dark, or after dark. The smaller ones could show up any time of the day. You will want to wear rubber boots when you bait and be totally scent-free when you hunt.
Well, there's a start. I have no idea about the tanning hides stuff. I'm sure someone else can help you, though.
Jon
