Bait Cribs

its that time of year, ive got cabin fever i have a bear permit and im almost ready to go.

Just interested in hearing how everyone sets up there bait cribs and how they set up there bait station. Wanting to hear/see any tricks that might be worth trying this year

Good Post HNF.

It has been a few years since I have bear hunted. I know we have some up on our property North of McGregor as the trail cam pics have a few. Perhaps I can talk the Misses into hunting them this year?

So lets hear it how do you guys set up your stations etc.

These two pics of cribs ive built in the past. I dont care if the little bears get into it, i just dont want the coons/skunks getting into it. You can see the back stops in the background to make sure the bear cant get behind the bait.

Here is a pic of a hit site

Any ideas on a better set up? do you think having the logs piled around inhibits the smell of the bait?

I really wish MN would let us use barrels for baiting, would make life a lot easier

Looks like a couple of good set ups I have never hunted bears myself, but my cousins go every year, and every year the get good bears. Their secret is, after putting all the bread, doughnuts and licorice on a pile, they pour about 3-4 gallons of orange or grape pop syrup over the top. They said they can smell the syrup from 50 yards, so the bears can smell it from ????!!!! You can get the syrup from the places where they bottle pop. (my one cousin worked for coke )

big G

I like the ideas!!!

This year will be my first year baiting for bear so im pretty new to how to build a crib.

I know a few guys that used to use an old tire and paint grease around the outside. When the sun hit the grease on the tire, that grease heated up and gave off a pretty good smell. Seems like it may work, and also keep the bait smelling fresh in the daytime hours.

I have also heard of guys using popcorn as bait for a site…As the season neared, they would limit the amount of bait, to create competition between bears, thus leaving the little guys out.

Thats pretty much all i know about baiting

In minnesota its illegal to leave garbage at your bait site, aka a tire, ive never had good luck with popcorn they just eat around it duno why

The top photo is more than enough log cover…Bears are essentially lazy creatures that look for easy and consistent meals. The huge stockade deal may even deter bears that have easier meals close by. Believe me…unless you are hunting a vast acreage of private property there willl be sevseral other baits in the bears daily range.
Bait consistently… put out as much as needed but not enough so that there are leftovers the next time you bait.
Bait during midday… they will soon pattern you and arrive before you get there and eat after they hear your vehicle leave.
Put your stand up early…they will find it and mark it as their own…usually take a big dump up there or bite/claw it. That should make you feel more confident!
I’ve been doing this for over 30 years and it only gets better each year!

Post deleted by larson3

Post deleted by larson3

Not sure if they have Hickory or not .
http://www.nwtrappers.com/ in Owatonna.

If you know someone at a restaurant, ask them if they can get a gallon or two for you.

Mark

Well here is my 2008 bait set up.

Set up along the edge of a swamp, its a previous bait that has ALWAYS had bears on it.

First pic is a picture taken with out zoom from my stand.

Second pic is a pic from my stand zoomed in on the bait. crib

Third pic is a close picture of the bait crib set up with the positional back stop. and the log that we use to put carmel in so only bears can get into it.

HookNfinger:

Neat pics!!! How far are you from the bait station???

Mark

Im about 50 yards away. First time we have set up a bait that far away. Ive got a white log cut 6 foot long and about 3 feet off the ground so i can accuratly judge the bears that come into the bait. Im hoping that being that far away i can get away with more moventment and just maybe they might feel more comfortable with me being there.

We cut hollow logs about 18″ long and bury in the ground. Then a another log is cut about 3″ thick to make a cover for the hole. A large rock then gets put over the cover to keep the critters out. You want to use logs with a hole large enough for the bear to get int’s paw inside. Anything smaller they will dig it up every time.

Welcome to In-Depth Outdoors Steve!

Lip:

Another Northern WI guy!!!

Mark

Hook, I would add that in making a crib like that it is best to keep the logs perpendicular to your stand site. (laying end to end away from you.) This will help with broad side shots. Also having a back drop helps keep them in position.

In WI that is also an illegal bait. Can’t use the boards like that. Must be all natural. See a lot of guys screw plywood to the bottoms of stumps to keep the bait in. Also illegal. To help keep the bait in, and the critters out we bury them. Sure the bear dig them up on occasion, but that jsut keeps them there longer. also prevents them from busting the stumps a little.

Well I have to get out and run the baits for tommorrow.