Bear Baiting in Canada

[MtnMike2]

I'm looking for info on how to bait bear where it's legal - in Quebec. I have access to some good hunting land up there and need to know the fundamentals. For instance, how long before I can expect bears to come to a bait site assuming there are bears in the area? (I ask this because I don't live there and wonder how much time I'd need to allow to have a good chance at a bear). What are the best things to use as bait - stinky stuff I reckon? I'm considering this for a fall hunt when the bears should be looking to put on fat for winter. Any advice appreciated.

Mike

[wrenchman]

First thing you need to do is get a copy of rules and regs it will outline what you are allowed to do.

[MtnMike2]

Thank you for your reply Wrenchman. After reviewing the Regs, I assume I can only bait during the season. I hope to do a spring bear hunt and maybe pick up some baiting tips (recipes). I haven't gotten many replies to this post. Maybe folks aren't big on baiting bears? It's my understanding that there are 3 ways to hunt for bear: bait, hounds, or spot and stalk. The least productive is spot and stalk.

[wrenchman]

Baiting is real poppuler here in mich we youse lots of sweets and bread and dog food and meat scraps.
When you are baiting you will find the bears will tell you what they want most by chooseing to eat what they want the most.
The problim you will have is getting the bait and transporting it to were you are hunting you might want to look for a guide in the area that will be willing to bait for you.
Also in some cases you are restricted as to what you are allowed to use as bait like no meat or no pork scraps.
There are a few books that can help if you are interested.
I can give a few ideas what to use and were to get it baiting bear is back breaking work so when you talk to guides it is for that reasen and the cost of the bait.
As for there being bears in the area call the dnr in the area he should know and some of the best baits is grains and dog food pastres like donuts i like to keep the meat scrap low there is nothing like rotten meat smell when you are trying to hunt.

[scalerman]

I used to guide bear hunters in northern Manitoba. In the spring we used old Kentucky Fried Chicken grease and oats. This stuff worked like magic. The bears came to it like a magnet. We melted the grease and mixed in the oats.

[Tennessee Elkman]

I've hunted Alberta and Saskatchwean and used the grease and oat trick. It works well and the bears like it since I think it gets their digestive system working again. Also, many of the trappers fomr up there save the carcasses from beavers, muskrats, etc. freeze them and sell them for bait for $2 or $3 per carcass. One additional suggestion, check local game laws because I think you have to be guided by a registered guide and the bait can take up to 2-3 weeks for the bears to start hitting them, unless you already know roughly when they hibernate. Good Luck!

[scalerman]

We started hunting in late May in northern Manitoba. Baits were very often hit the same day they were set out. We were very particular about where we setout bait though. There had to be water close by and we usually set the bait out on a ridge or high spot in order to give us the maximum scent dispersal. A honey burn also works well to bring in bears.

[Skyline]

Beaver carcasses are #1. Pork trim. Beef scraps. Plus grain mixed with used cooking oil. As mentioned you bait site location is very important.

[gerry375]

MtnMike2:

I hunted black bear over bait for years in north central Ontario (Nipissing District) I sometimes accompanied my guide on his rounds of baiting various stands and carried bait to a stand (after a successful hunt of my own)

I have to tell you something based on my own experience and observations. First is that hunting black bear over bait is no guarantee that the bear will even show up. The bear becomes aware soon enough of the bait -but he's not completely stupid. He knows there's no "free lunch" in Nature. So he may very well locate you -and wait until you leave and then come in to feed. It's location, location, location when it comes to siting a stand and bait. Factors like prevailing wind, setting sun in your eyes, distance of bait from stand and what is brush like around the bait, to mention a few.

I have seen ordinary molasses smeared on a log work like you wouldn't believe. I've seen beef good enough for humans to eat that never produced a visit. Try the suggestions in this thread. Experiment with your own concoctions.

How long before bears show up? Maybe the first day/night. Maybe never. My impression was that the guides would change a hunter's stand after 3 days if no "visits". (I always stuck with the same stand. It's a matter of what makes you more comfortable. The lodge owner used to say that every hour on the stand is money in the bank because sooner or later the bear will show up - unless, he has the stand spotted -which was one reason that I always sat on the ground against a tree)

[Ontario Hawken]

I've hunted bears over my own baits in Eastern Ontario for 8 years.

To bring bears in quickly I'd suggest burning 1/2 cup of honey with a small amount of pork fat on a small portable stove. Use a large can or pot that you don't plan on using again and let the mixture smoke until it is completely charred. Do this under some trees and the scent will stick to the leaves and carry in the wind for several days. I've done this over dead baits and had a hit within a day. A friend I know uses raspberry jello powder and says it draws bears in.

Vanilla extract in a spray bottle is a great way to get bears to come to a bait as well. I use this when I set up a new bait - I git this tip from a beekeeper who used to get nuisance bears to come to him by spaying vanilla extract for few hundred yards all the way back to his truck.

For bait I use oats and old fryer oil. Bears will get the oil on thier feet and as they walk it will help bring more bears to the bait. Another option is to get dairy ration as it already is mixed with molasses. The only problem with this is that it will turn sour if it gets wet and the bears may not pay attention to it.

Another good tool to use is a trail cam. Large bears are smart and will sometimes come into a bait in the middle of the day, knowing full well that hunters come by at dawn and dusk...

If you plan on eating your bear I'd suggest you skin and quarter the bear and get the quarters on ice ASAP. With this I've found that bear meat is equal in quality to good beef.

Hope this helps. Let me know if I can be of any further help.

Scott

[buckhunter]

In Maine years ago an old guide used fryalator grease mixed with oats. Twinkie's work pretty well also. Would add annis to the mix. Pluse he would alway put enough grease on the ground so that anything that hit his bait would get it on their feet and would track the grease thru the woods attracting any other bears in the area.

Its basically a hit and miss situation. Maine allowed baiting 1 month before the season. The would set out baits and see which ones got hit. They got refreshed. Usually the ones that were not hit got moved to the are where there was activity.

Its not easy work. You just cannot drive your 4 wheeler to a bait sit. You have to hump it in. Rubber boot and rubber gloves are a must. When it 90 degrees outside and the skeeters and active it can become like a lot of work.