What should we do???

[wisconsinteacher]

We have not had a bear on our bait during day light hours for over a week.  We have 22 days to hunt.  We are getting frusturated sitting over a bait that does not get hit when we are there.  What would you do?  The hard part is I have a few irons in the fire and it is hard to give up time to hunt when we are seeing nothing.

[robtattoo]

Having never hunted bears, plase don't consider this advice, merely observations from watching others do it.
First off, I'd try a honey burn during your sit. It my just entice a few downwind bears to come in.
You could also try switching out your bait for something a little more stinky. A few 'matured' fish may help?
Finally, give it up & move bait sites. Sometimes you just ain't in the right place, no matter how good it looks & how much time you have invested. Ain't no point hunting 'em where they're not!

[MAT]

Honey and meat are not legal bear baits in WI.  It's a good year for acorns so it might get better later in the season.  It's most likely not the bait that's the problem as there are plenty of things for them to eat right now.

[Ricker]

Try not putting any bait, or very little, for a day.  Then have someone go to the bait as you get in the stand.  As the baiter leaves it will sound like the coast is clear to the bear/s.
They are likely off laying in wait for you to leave.
I've had bear come in within 15 to 20 minutes doing this.

Good luck

[Dustin Waters]

it sounds as if you have trained the bears as to when they can eat safely and when they cant.  I suggest taking the bait in and out with you for a few days.  Only leave enough there to peak their curiousity for a couple of days not enough to let them lay there and munch during the night.  Once you have them back on your schedule you will start to see more bears at the site.  Much of what Chupa said earlier just dont leave a full bait site during the night.  They have to learn that the bait is only available during the day and at night there is nothing there for them.

[bornagainbowhunter]

What is a honey burn?

[wisconsinteacher]

Okay, if I were to take my bait with me, do I still bait in the morning like always then take it after the hunt?  Right now, we are baiting from 6:00-7:00 in the morning.  We are also baiting every other day.

[Bjorn]

How about a predator call?

[PEARL DRUMS]

I had a b ear hunt in  2004 that ended in 300# boar for me. The same situation was taking place but after 5 days he finally showed about winks before dark and a I got him. Maybe try waiting him out? Or a guy I work with brings a camp stove, pound of bacon and a crappy pan into his set up and cooks the bacon on low untils it burns right up. He has 'em running in after that. The bacon smell sticks everything around it....Just a thought.......

[Turkeys Fear Me]

If your bait is consistently getting hit after you leave, try the old two in one out trick.  Bears are smart but I've yet to see one that can count.

[ChuckC]

The fellow who baited for me up around Ladysmith said the same thing was happening to him, starting around Sunday.

I wonder what happened ?
ChuckC

[Brian Krebs]

The bear knows your there- knows your stand position and where to go to wait until your scent is gone.

 If you are in a treestand go in during the heat of the day-make a lot of noise to move the bear away where he can't see what your up to.  Move it and really pay attention to where you put it. I would go downwind of the bait; and find a tree where your outline is completely obscured. A big tall Christmas tree looking tree would he nice.

 If your on the ground; then find a spot way down wind of the bait - look for the trails the bear is using to find your scent. You can sit below them and have a shot as the bear walks back and forth scenting the bait.

 With a new stand position; I like to have someone go with me. I go up the tree and they bait or vise versa; and then the baiter leaves and makes lots of noise on the way in and out.

 In an ideal situation - you put up a second stand; get into the old stand; sit there for a hour or more; then get down and leave- leaving the other hunter in the new stand; or you make lots of noise coming down the tree and go to the other stand quickly.

 The bear by this point is convinced he can see or smell you where you ~think~ your hiding.

 You need to trip him up. Convince him your gone; and be in a different tree or ground position.

 Then hold still and wait- don't go up in the tree and shoot some practice shots and smoke a cigarette or pee in a bottle or cough; or clear your throat; or swat mosquitoes or move AT ALL.

 I have done this many times before; and it most often ends up with you saying heh heh heh... as the bear sneaks in looking at your old stand.

 good luck    

[Brian Krebs]

By the way I am against predator calls for bears where you cannot shoot sows with cubs in the fall; or on spring hunts.
 Sows with cubs will come running and leave the cubs behind -( they rarely if ever do that with bait) and that leads to a dead sow with cubs that you never had a chance to see....
 Now - if you see a boar walking in the distance-- a lone bear - and can call and see that bear come in- well go for it.
 They are remember coming in to a call not to eat; they are coming in to fight an opponent; and kill what is dying. If your going to ring the bell from inside the boxing ring - be prepared for it.

[Earl Jeff]

This might not make sense to you but if there are multiple bears using the bait cut way back on the amount of bait you are using and they will come earlier to get the bait before its gone.

[levibear]

Yes change stand locations as Brian wrote... one of my favorite tricks is jello powder place it near your bait, cast it in the wind and on  trees...it gets in there nose like it catches in your throat when you breathe it...We used to do honey/bacon greese burns I have seen them work...

[levibear]

One more thing always hunt as though the bear is always watching you often they are