Fall baiting advice
Contributors to this thread:Bears
From: Moons22
26-Jul-18
The fall bear baiting season in NH is approaching quickly. This will be my second year trying to bait. There is no shortage of bears in my area, but last year I did not have one show up at the bait. The season is short (3 weeks), and you cannot put out bait until opening day (September 1). I am just looking for some tips to help better my odds for this year. Definitely not too picky about size or any of that, just love bear meat. What would you guys put out? How often would you go in to inspect/check camera... Any other important tips for a rookie bear hunter? Thanks in advance for any advice!
From: Dale06
26-Jul-18
I would use dried dog food. Get the cheap stuff at Walmart. But supplement with pastries if you can get them. And use some strong odor scents, like liquid smoke, vanilla, or bacon grease. I have not baited bears for many years and did so pre game cameras. If I were baiting today, I’d check my bait mid day when it’s less likely to have a bear present, and I’d go probably every other day, or at a frequency to ensure the bait is not all eaten.
From: Huntcell
26-Jul-18
Buy a one or two whole chicken put it in small cloth bag Tie it shut with strong cord or rope. Place in pail in sun (protect from coons etc ) five —8 days before season . First day of baiting string up between two trees 20 feet apart and minimum ten feet up . So bear can’t get to it. It your attractor Place your other bait material under this area or very near.
If it’s not rotten sticking mess it will be soon and the elevated stink bag will lure the surroundings bears to your goodies at bait site. Depending on your bag material you may want to cut small holes in the bottom just before you lift it into position to let some stinky juices to drip out. I use course burlap material to make a bag so didn’t need to cut drip holes. You may want have a fly access hole in the top to get some maggot action.
From: Bea
26-Jul-18
for a shorts season and no pre baiting.... having a strong stink bait is key. Like you could have great bait out....like say pastries / sweets etc...but even a bear , with their keen noses, would almost have to trip over it. That sounds like your main prob last year imo, especially with bears in the area. For quick hits....I'll put a turkey or a few chickens in a 5 gallon pail.....let it stew for a couple weeks before you are permitted to bait. When permitted, hang it 10-12 feet off the ground but first cracking the lid slightly. For bait...and especially where u want just a shooter type bear....any food will work really....think old donuts, out of date bread, beef fatner, or dog food. If you can find some old used fryer fat...so much the better. Use it liberally, that way...first bear in will get it on his/her paws and when they leave ...they will be leaving a scent trail right to your bait. But, to repeat, in my opinion....for quick start up....think stink.
From: Moons22
26-Jul-18
Thanks a lot guys. It was just crazy to me to have so many bears in the yard (7 different ones) during the summer getting at out trash and bird feeder.. the. Putting out 200 pounds of shit (we used corn, sunflower seeds, dog food, tons of old freezer meat, sardines, mix of maple syrup, molasses, brown sugar, and water... the only thing on cam was turkey vultures. I had pics of bears at a couple deer stand less that 1/2 mile away during the baiting season. Not a bear on cam... I will take the stink bait advice. Thanks again
From: Moons22
26-Jul-18
Geared up last year to bait with a whole bed full of food.
From: Moons22
26-Jul-18
From: Moons22
26-Jul-18
At the deer stand one week into the baiting season.
From: Moons22
26-Jul-18
In the yard In late august. Cool blonde stripe going down its back.
From: Moons22
26-Jul-18
Why did they not hit the bait!!? Site in on the neighbors property less than 1/2 mile from camp!
From: Moons22
26-Jul-18
Another one. I know of one other guy that baits about 2 miles away as the crow flies. He has had that established site for years.. Do the bears know this, and flock to his site, knowing that it's going to be there?
From: Turkeyhunter
26-Jul-18
Northwoods Bear Scents GoldRush.....in NB we have bears hit the sites within 2 hours.....90% sites hit over night. TH
From: BullBuster
27-Jul-18
I start out with sweet Cobb then switch to Walmart Deer Corn. Cheap stuff. Like to spread jello powder around at first. I used to use butcher scraps but ravens and coyotes end up getting most of bait.
From: OntarioJoe
27-Jul-18
Bea nailed it. They have so much natural forage you really need a good stink bait to let them know where it is. Get a liquid you can re apply every time you visit the site.
From: Alexis Desjardins
27-Jul-18
What u used last year should of worked but when there after natural food there is nothing u can put out there that will keep them on, the nuts r the worst to compete against. Good luck
From: Boreal
27-Jul-18
Find the beech trees or white oak trees and set your bait near them.
From: PV
27-Jul-18
Don't let last year's result's fool you. There was so much natural food the bears didn't need the bait. We had the worst year in the last ten. I had bears stop at the bait and not eat. I start my baits with pastry and beaver( only meat that seems to work for me in NH). If the bears are hungry this year they will find your bait.
From: Moons22
27-Jul-18
Thanks a lot guys, this info has helped a lot. Will make a stink bait, and buy that northwoods scent stuff. Where I am (sunapee area for those who know NH) there are so many oaks. Acorns everywhere. And black raspberry bushes everywhere. Gonna give it hell again this year. Thanks again, much appreciated.