Bear in Michigan

[kokoji04]

Have 18 Points now, If I were to Bear hunt I would try it in South Baldwin BMU. There is a few good guides near Cadillac but last I heard it takes at least 12 to 14 Points. Have checked in a while though.
(Still waiting on getting a Bull Elk been applying since you could guess i have zero Luck!)
KE

18 points is wild to me. Imma go sit in a corner and hide my points away.

 

[kokoji04]

For DIY yourself baiting, 5 hours would be my limit. Where I live and hunt these days it takes me about 4 hours to get to where I'm going. The issue in MI is I seem to recall you can only use a Barrell on private ground. If that is still the case, I don't see how you could keep your bait going without the barrel (on public ground) unless you paid a Yooper to bait your site once it starts getting hit.

The other option you might want to try is reaching out to someone that already has an established bait site but doesn't have a tag. Many times they just want to keep it going until they, or someone else they know draws. It's a positive for you, and them in that scenario. Especially since its taking longer and longer to draw. I would really look into that option.

I’m starting to think the baiting 4to5 hrs away may end up costing 3-5k when it’s all said and done. Might be comparable to a Canadian hunt or just paying for the guides in the UP.

 

[Coveyleader]

I’m starting to think the baiting 4to5 hrs away may end up costing 3-5k when it’s all said and done. Might be comparable to a Canadian hunt or just paying for the guides in the UP.

I don't see your costs being anywhere near that but the key is the barrel if you're going to do it yourself. If not, perhaps a guided hunt is the right answer. Personally for me, the baiting and checking the barrel is my favorite part of hunting them. I'm not on facebook, but like I mentioned, maybe there is a bear hunters group in the UP and guy has a station that needs baiting this year. I'd look into that option as well. A well established bait will take all but a week tops to get hit. A brand new station could take weeks to a month, or never if you're not in the right spot.

 

[kokoji04]

I don't see your costs being anywhere near that but the key is the barrel if you're going to do it yourself. If not, perhaps a guided hunt is the right answer. Personally for me, the baiting and checking the barrel is my favorite part of hunting them. I'm not on facebook, but like I mentioned, maybe there is a bear hunters group in the UP and guy has a station that needs baiting this year. I'd look into that option as well. A well established bait will take all but a week tops to get hit. A brand new station could take weeks to a month, or never if you're not in the right spot.

I think I’m getting what you’re saying. I was wondering why anyone would ever let you bait in their area but I now realized that there is value in establishing a baiting spot.

What I mean in catching up to cost, is if I drive and buy the bait hours on end, say once a weeks 6-8 hrs one way trip. It can add up depending on establishing a spot. It does make sense that doing this with an established spot will drive the frequency required by a lot. Good things to think about. Thank you thank you

 

[KnightExtreme]

18 points is wild to me. Imma go sit in a corner and hide my points away.

Not Really, a Friend did a DIY Hunt (14 points) and spent a lot of hours driving to and from baiting his 2 bait sites. But he had a great work schedule to be able to do that! I was working a job where my time off was limited and was working 5 to 6 days a week witth some OT so my "Schedule" really did not allow me to Go MI Bear Hunting. I am "hoping" too but now "retired and only living off Social Security, money is tight just barely afford the monthly; food, gas, utility bills plus the home and hunting property property taxes then the cost for Auto & Homeowners Insurance that eats 85% of my budget. And I still like to Deer Hunt so that does not leave much $'s leftover. But If I were to hit the Bull Elk Lottery I would then not deer hunt that year and spend some Dollars on a Guide as it is just a "Once in a Lifetime" Chance for a Bull Elk. We all have our "limitations" mine is just lack of $. But I still try and get out to Hunt. Maybe 1 Day I will "MI Bear" Hunt. Some are not wealthy... But still like to "Hunt"!
KE