Bear in Michigan

[kokoji04]

Hey all,

I currently have 6 bear points. I’m in the metro Detroit area. I’m wondering which zones I should apply and if I should solo it or hire a guide?

 

[Ac338]

This won’t fully answer your question but you’re not going to get anywhere in the lower peninsula with 6 points. So if you want to hunt anytime soon it’s going to be in the UP. You’re looking at at 4 hours one way from Detroit just to get you across the bridge then add however far to whatever unit you choose. I’m an hour south of the bridge and there’s some places I visit in the UP that are still a long drive one way from my house. That’s not realistic for running your own baiting sites and all that. For your situation I would personally hire a guide.

 

[Timplant]

Lots of gas stations north of US-10 advertise guided hunts over bait on their advertisement board, they’re probably all about the same. I am in TC and baited my own stuff by paradise two years in a row, and basically all fall is carrying dog food….. not worth it. Get a guide!

 

[NRA4LIFE]

This won’t fully answer your question but you’re not going to get anywhere in the lower peninsula with 6 points. So if you want to hunt anytime soon it’s going to be in the UP. You’re looking at a minimum 6.5 hours one way from Detroit just to get you across the bridge then add however far to whatever unit you choose. I’m an hour south of the bridge and there’s some places I visit in the UP that are still 9 hours one way from my house. That’s not realistic for running your own baiting sites and all that. For your situation I would personally hire a guide.

What, by horse and buggy? Detroit to the bridge is maybe 4 hours and from the bridge to anywhere in the UP is 5 hours or less. I've driven these routes many times.

 

[Ac338]

What, by horse and buggy? Detroit to the bridge is maybe 4 hours and from the bridge to anywhere in the UP is 5 hours or less. I've driven these routes many times.

Yeah I was a bit off on my times. Either way it’s still a lot of driving to rebait or do whatever you have to do to get ready

 

[Steve O]

Many years ago I drew a Drummond Island tag and did everything myself from just south of Flint. It was a lot of work but worth it. You are not going to be able to draw anything but the UP; I’d work hard to find a baiting service or find a “guide”. Unless you are on private land, you can’t set up a barrel or anything to hold and meter out the bait so it is a Herculean task to keep 3 sites baited from at least 5 hours drive away.