Author Topic: Michigan Bear Hunting (Read 9385 times)

Burly · « **Reply #20 on:** June 08, 2019, 09:22:31 AM »

Good luck to everyone.

Yellow Dog · « **Reply #21 on:** June 08, 2019, 01:37:31 PM »

Been involved in hauling out around 20 bear over the past years. We used a heavy canvas game sling for years and switched to a plastic Jetsled. The Jetsled’s the only way to go.

About a dozen years ago my buddy killed one in Red Oak. It was a Saturday and he couldn’t find a place open to register it so I called the refuge office for the Shiawassee State Game Area, they were doing an early season youth waterfowl hunt so I knew somebody would be there. They said to bring it in, they’d never done one before but had the stuff there they needed to register one so they’d give it a try. Long story short.....at the time that was the only bear ever registered at the St Charles DNR office, and still might be.

Ray Lyon · « **Reply #22 on:** June 08, 2019, 03:16:37 PM »

One of my friends that I had helping me drag had a walk-in cooler that I put my bear in for two days until the DNR station opened to get it checked in. The next closest place was 45 miles away at a tackle shop. The walk-in cooler was priceless since it was 70 degrees the night I shot my bear. Meat turned out fantastic because of quick cooling

Yellow Dog · « **Reply #23 on:** June 24, 2019, 07:40:52 AM »

Now the planning/work starts. Just checked the DNR website this morning. I successfully drew Baldwin.

Ray Lyon · « **Reply #24 on:** June 24, 2019, 07:54:52 AM »

Congratulations!!!!!
This guy was in my back yard last week. A lot of bears being seen in Grand Traverse, Benzie and Leelanau counties right now.

killinstuff · « **Reply #25 on:** June 24, 2019, 08:28:56 AM »

Good for you Mike

. I think the biggest issue or thought you need to put in is trying to find a location where the hound guys aren't going to hit the scent of bears coming and going to your baits. I had to active baits last year in the general area Ray got his bear and the hound guys ran the bears in the area. Game over. I'll be in my 70's before I ever draw Baldwin again but thank God for BC, AK and Alberta.

I have nothing against hound hunting either. It looks like fun to me and it's just part of the deal. I'm good with that. I'm not much for sitting in trees guarding a bait pile anyways

Jon Stewart · « **Reply #26 on:** June 24, 2019, 08:42:54 AM »

docholiday made a very generous offer. Baiting is all work but I enjoy it as well. I have baited in the UP for disabled veterans the last few years. I have some good spots in Amasa. 3 of us hunted up there 2 years ago and we all took bear with our bows. I shot the 3rd one I saw opening night at 7 yards with a recurve.

I put a hunter on 5 bear just south of US 10 south of Branch and he shot a nice bear with his gun. It took 15 points for last years hunt.

As far as removing the bear from the woods. We use a section of the treestand ladder. Tie the bear on and two hunters can carry the bear out without do damage to the fur.

Bear hunting is a lot of fun so enjoy yourself.

Ray Lyon · « **Reply #27 on:** June 24, 2019, 09:16:16 AM »

Red Oak unit for me this fall, just got the results. Now the search is on.

Yellow Dog, I’d be happy to show you where I shot my Baldwin unit bear. State land, just west of Interlochen

Burly · « **Reply #28 on:** June 24, 2019, 10:28:26 AM »

Congrats on drawing a tag for Baldwin. We are over run by bears, crazy numbers this year . I didn't draw , again with 12 points. Probably will take about 16-17 points with all the guys ahead of me.

MGH · « **Reply #29 on:** June 24, 2019, 12:14:44 PM »

I also drew for Baldwin with 15pts!!

GOOD LUCK to all those that drew!!

Yellow Dog · « **Reply #30 on:** June 24, 2019, 01:06:21 PM »

Ray, congrats on Red Oak. I may need to pick your brain a little.

Good luck MGH

Ray Lyon · « **Reply #31 on:** June 24, 2019, 02:01:44 PM »

Michael, contact me at [email protected] and I’ll be happy to help any way I can

Burly · « **Reply #32 on:** June 24, 2019, 03:49:41 PM »

Congrats to all that drew.

Yellow Dog · « **Reply #33 on:** June 24, 2019, 04:58:20 PM »

It was raining today. Couldn’t get much done at home so I decided to take a little drive. Never too soon to get started

Breakfast Boy · « **Reply #34 on:** June 25, 2019, 07:06:28 AM »

Wow! I didn't realize it took that many points to draw a tag in that area. We own a little land in the UP so I've never looked to see how many points are required further south of the bridge. I should be able to draw a bear tag in the yoop next year if I want.

Ray Lyon · « **Reply #35 on:** June 25, 2019, 09:18:54 AM »

The tags have increased in Baldwin unit, from 70 in 2008 to 155 this year, so they have more than doubled. However with 2,000-2,500 applicants for that unit you’re still looking at 15 years between tags with the preference points system. The Red Oak unit required me to have 9 points to draw, so that’s still a long time between permits. Certainly you can go to the upper peninsula almost every year in certain areas, but at 7-9 hours one way drive, that makes baiting a difficult proposal for the doit yourself person. I really like being involved from the get go on setting up bait site and running bait, so although I enjoy bear hunting and the meat, I hold out for local opportunity to hunt.

Here’s my first bear, taken in Copper Harbor in 1986, when we had someone start baits for us. It’s a 9-10 hour drive to Copper Harbor, which is similar drive to going to some areas in Ontario for me.

Trenton G. · « **Reply #36 on:** June 25, 2019, 12:50:40 PM »

How many points to draw up around copper harbor? I know it's a ton of work but I'd love to try bear hunting in the U.P. while I'm up there.

gvdocholiday · « **Reply #37 on:** June 25, 2019, 01:33:17 PM »

I'm putting together a every three year bear camp to the UP. 2021 is looking like it's going to be the first one. Maybe make one trip up during the summer to cut bait sites...but for the most part, it'll be head up a few days early, set stands and bait, and enjoy the camp.

Ray Lyon · « **Reply #38 on:** June 25, 2019, 04:42:14 PM »

Doc,
One year I helped my buddy bait close to Marquette, which was about a six hour drive. We went up on a Thursday, set bait that day and then checked bait again on Saturday. Set up stand trees on activity baits and then went back early Sunday morning and rebated hit bait heavy and then left for home. He went back the following Thursday to stay to hunt for 10 days. Depending on how far you’re going it may be a doable thing for your idea and would be great to get a little more head start to your idea above. He had a cabin up there so we spent time on that baiting trip to get the cabin opened up too.

Jon Stewart · « **Reply #39 on:** June 25, 2019, 05:17:54 PM »

Doc, you have a season and an area where you can draw every three years.?

Ray, we ran 5 first time baits in the rain and every bait got hit that night. Our problem was wolves. Bear and wolves don't seem to get along. We saw them and we have them on cameras.


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Author Topic: Michigan Bear Hunting (Read 9385 times)

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