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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Rando on August 27, 2018, 04:59:40 PM

Title: Midwest Bears - without bait??
Post by: Rando on August 27, 2018, 04:59:40 PM: Hey all -
It's been some time since I've bear hunted, been toying with the idea of buying a Minnesota tag again... I've shot several over bait (long ago), but for various reasons I'd like to try something different. Wondering if anyone's had success with scents or other tactics? I'd like to just go when I can without a lot of prep or maintenance but have a reasonable chance of seeing a bear or two.
I'll be hunting an area with abundant acorns, corn, and some berries so I know they're not hurting for food. Was thinking about may just playing the wind with honey burns, but would love to hear your suggestions and success stories with other tactics.
Thanks,
Randy
Title: Re: Midwest Bears - without bait??
Post by: pavan on August 27, 2018, 05:49:35 PM: I tried spot and stalk when I lived in Wisconsin. Spotted a big male. Stalked him through private blackberry operation, got caught eating blackberries and was given full approval to continue my pursuit for the bear, got close to getting a shot several times. Black bear can go from zero to full speed in two strides. It got cloudy, it got dark, I had no working flashlight, no compass, i got really lost. Thanks to a truck engine braking, I found a hard surface road, walked for four or five miles the wrong way on it, when someone stopped to ask where i was going. He had seen my Ford Courier pickup in the woods and brought me 7 miles back to it. After doing many canoe trips in the BWCA and Quetico, I no longer have any desire to hunt bear or moose. I do not believe I could shoot one of the bears that become camp robbers in the B-DUB around Ely or Knife Lake, but they are there for any paddle friendly bowhunter to get. There are a few rules concerning camp sites and bear hunting in the B-dub.
Title: Re: Midwest Bears - without bait??
Post by: mnbwhtr on August 27, 2018, 06:40:07 PM: If you had the right situation a spot and stalk might be possible but first off you have to get a license. It takes 3-4 preference points in any quota zone now a days. Good luck!
Title: Re: Midwest Bears - without bait??
Post by: MnFn on August 28, 2018, 03:38:16 PM: My hats off to you if you pull that off in MN. Might work around a cornfield, or oats in the milk stage.
Title: Re: Midwest Bears - without bait??
Post by: Howitser on August 28, 2018, 05:43:31 PM: Never any baiting in Pa. And there are a lot of dead bruins every year,often over 700 lbs.
Title: Re: Midwest Bears - without bait??
Post by: Doug Treat on August 28, 2018, 08:37:36 PM: I have used scents and been successful (story coming out in the Oct/Nov TBM) but my favorite way to hunt bears is by calling. Super-exciting and a bit crazy. :goldtooth:
Title: Re: Midwest Bears - without bait??
Post by: Howitser on August 29, 2018, 08:48:58 PM: Doug, how do you, yourself, go about calling a bear in? This is something I've inquired about, and would like to learn as baiting is verboten in Pa.