Advice for bear hunting PLEASE

[Womanhuntingaddict]

I have been waiting 5 years for this day to come where I got my bear tag. I am hunting over bait. When I first started baiting I had so many different bears I couldn’t count them. The hunting day came and I have been sitting in my stand EVERY evening since. I saw 2 small bears during light but have not seen anything since. There is a giant coming sometimes at night. I’m in panic mode as i only have 1 week left.
Do I need to move my bait? Can someone please give me advice. This has been my dream for so long and I’m scared I won’t get one.
Thank you!
Tracy

 

[North Idaho Stickbow]

If you have bears, don’t move your bait! The big one that’s coming at night is big because well… he’s coming at night lol. We all have that exact same problem. I’ll bet you that big bear is checking out that bait and watching closely at twilight though.

The trick is outsmarting the big guys. You have to be consistent in when you re-bait, and more random when you hunt. If you’re sitting every day in the stand, that may be too much. You’ll be saturating the area in your scent.

When coming in, maybe mix things up. Park in a different spot and come in a different way. Have someone else drive your truck away after dropping you off so the bear thinks the rig is gone. Etc.

You’ll get one this week! If they’re coming to the bait consistently, half the battle is over.

 

[Womanhuntingaddict]

If you have bears, don’t move your bait! The big one that’s coming at night is big because well… he’s coming at night lol. We all have that exact same problem. I’ll bet you that big bear is checking out that bait and watching closely at twilight though.

The trick is outsmarting the big guys. You have to be consistent in when you re-bait, and more random when you hunt. If you’re sitting every day in the stand, that may be too much. You’ll be saturating the area in your scent.

When coming in, maybe mix things up. Park in a different spot and come in a different way. Have someone else drive your truck away after dropping you off so the bear thinks the rig is gone. Etc.

You’ll get one this week! If they’re coming to the bait consistently, half the battle is over.

Thank you! This whole season nothing has come in consistently. I will try to find someone to go out with me and leave, hopefully that helps! I will also go in a different way. Nothing came in last night. Ugh. The bear I am after is in the photo.

 

[PathFinder]

In that scenario, I don't leave any bait at the site overnight. Make it daylight or bust for the bear. Combine that with the advice above.

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[Warmsy]

That's an awesome looking bear. Good luck!

 

[North Idaho Stickbow]

In that scenario, I don't leave any bait at the site overnight. Make it daylight or bust for the bear. Combine that with the advice above.

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That’s good advice too. I have one barrel where I can bolt a door over the feed hole. Talk about seeing a frustrated bear.

 

[PathFinder]

That’s good advice too. I have one barrel where I can bolt a door over the feed hole. Talk about seeing a frustrated bear.

That's a lot better idea than having to empty the barrel, I'm going to have to try that!

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[Womanhuntingaddict]

My bait is a little bit harder to take out as it’s in a stump. Lol

 

[Werty]

Like said above, sit all day, also if rifle hunting get as far away from bait. The bear may be watching you come into it. Are the little bears nervous around the bait or do they act naturally. If they are nervous, the bigger bears are probably near

 

[go_deep]

What state are you in?
Are there corn fields near by?
Where is the nearest swamp?

 

[Womanhuntingaddict]

What state are you in?
Are there corn fields near by?
Where is the nearest swamp?

I’m in Wisconsin. The corn fields are not too close. I’m right next to the swamp. I haven’t had anything come in during the day for over a week.

 

[z987k]

Leave some dirty clothes at the bait site all the time. Ideally some day old gym clothes or the like.

 

[hodgeman]

Try early, early morning.

 

[Womanhuntingaddict]

Leave some dirty clothes at the bait site all the time. Ideally some day old gym clothes or the like.

Ok. I thought you want it to be more scent free out here?

 

[Womanhuntingaddict]

Ok. I thought you want it to be more scent free out here?

That also means I would need to go to the gym. Lol

 

[Agross]

I personally wouldn’t do gym clothes or really smelly clothes. Maybe, a hunting shirt. Bears have tremendous noses, better than a whitetail. Typically you do want to be as scent free as possible. I’m guessing what he is getting at is so they get used to the smell being there all the time and not just when your sitting there.

 

[go_deep]

I’m in Wisconsin. The corn fields are not too close. I’m right next to the swamp. I haven’t had anything come in during the day for over a week.

As fall goes on the area a bear will go from its potential den site get smaller, hence bears disappearing.
I'd keep your bait going, but I'd be knocking on doors looking to get a new bait started asap.

 

[Womanhuntingaddict]

I personally wouldn’t do gym clothes or really smelly clothes. Maybe, a hunting shirt. Bears have tremendous noses, better than a whitetail. Typically you do want to be as scent free as possible. I’m guessing what he is getting at is so they get used to the smell being there all the time and not just when your sitting there.

I feel like I am here all of the time. They should be used to me by now. I’m really dedicated to getting one.

 

[Agross]

Maybe that’s the problem then. Do you have other baits set up that you can bounce between. Always better to have two or 3 set up depending on what the rules are there I guess

 

[z987k]

Ya usually you leave your sent there when you start baiting before the hunt to get them used to it so they don't stay away when they smell you when you're actually there hunting.