brown bear season closed, time to try for a blackie.

[ChuckC]

I think hunting over a bait makes it a bit more dangerous for you. .  coming and going.  As was brought up, a brownie may be protective of the bait area.  Otherwise... good luck.

ChuckC

[Chromebuck]

I have this picture matted and framed in my shop, but it seems particularly appropriate to this thread, minus the bait station stuff.  Mods might delete, but it is in my oppinion specific to traditional bowhunting just with an Alaskan flare.
 

~CB

[AkDan]

ditto Mickeys comments!  I can run down after work, have 3 and 4 days off a week.   holler if Mickey chickens out  :D !

Dan

[Steve H.]

I live right in the midst of all these brownies.  They are out of control in this area and desperately need this thinning.  We will be hunting bears in a one year time period that should have been maintained at a reasonable level over the past 15 years--and weren't.

We have bears in the yard and routinely walking down the powerline that sides our property.  I live in a community called Moose Pass.  I haven't seen a moose here in well over a year and yes the bears hammer the few moose calves each year.

I think the brown baiting season ends early, May 15 is what I remember, is that correct?  Those dates in itself will greatly reduce the sow kill.

Black bears in this area are top notch table fare but I suspect many never eat fish.  If I kill one I will definitely experiment with some canned "Griz" which always makes ANY meat tender.

[Steve H.]

Originally posted by ChuckC:
I think hunting over a bait makes it a bit more dangerous for you. .  coming and going.  As was brought up, a brownie may be protective of the bait area.  Otherwise... good luck.

ChuckC

I hugely agree with this statement!  I now have a .458 SOCOM (big-bore AR15) that hangs from my belt off a carry handle, ready for battle!

[Steve H.]

I thought I read somewhere that the brownie baiting part ended May 15 BUT I can't find it in writing anywhere I have looked.  Anyone else see that part?  Looking at my notes from past years shows only one time being hit a couple days before May 15, all other first time hist were nearly 2 weeks later.

[bowtough]

Grizziler Bear, it's whats for dinner.  

[chinook907]

Steve,

It goes thru May 31.

I'm sure it depends on where you are at but in most places on the Peninsula the brownies hit as early as late April,and stay until 3rd or 4th week in May or so.  Then they seem to move on.  Consensus seems to be that they leave the baits alone then because the moose calves are dropping and they target them.  Makes sense.  

I guess if you don't have much for moose around they stay as they don't have new-born calves and stressed cows to target.

[FoCoBlackWidow]

Probably the only time I'd feel the need to be 20 feet up the tree. Good luck!

[jrchambers]

and it begins....did a bit of scouting and found a spot.  I decided to be in a tree but only 10ft up and 15 yards back, im in the process of hauling a barrel and getting ready to prepare a spread for them.  5 more days and I can bait.

[fnshtr]

Looking forward to your story (ies). Good luck!

   

[Firstlight]

10 foot up the tree with a 8 foot bear ;>)

Good luck, looking forward to future post.

[Izzy]

Tom Hoffman did it from a tree and Im sure you'll get it done too. Good luck and enjoy.

[RIng]

Good luck. Be safe , consciences , and have fun .

[Sockrsblur]

Wow take lots of pictures! This should be very good!

[drewsbow]

good luck

[Cyclic-Rivers]

I am excited for you.  From what I hear, there is no shortage of grizz by you.

[Ibow]

Looking forward to your story and picts. What a great opportunity!

[eidsvolling]

Originally posted by jrchambers:
… salvaging the meat is a must, get it done quick, probably cant just drag it out whole, but you do have the right to defend yourself and property

No, actually, you don't have a right to defend your possession of the meat in this instance. That's not a DLP situation:

"Property means your dwelling, means of travel, pets or livestock, fish drying racks, or other valuable property necessary for your livelihood or survival. While game meat is considered your property, you may not kill a bear to protect it unless the meat is critical for your survival. Even in this situation you still must do everything possible to protect the meat (i.e. proper storage, scaring the scavenger, etc. See Safely in Bear Country) before you may kill the bear."

   ADF&G: What To Do If You Have A Conflict With a Bear

[jrchambers]

you are right about that,  but I will not be alone while trailing or butchering, who ever is with me will also have a tag so if its not a sow with cubs....