fly Posted April 28, 2008 Report Share Posted April 28, 2008 I'll be using galvanized 20 gallon trash cans (about 3 ft. high) for holding black bear bait. I'll be filling them with grease, sweet feed, and possibly old pastries. I'm planning to screw the lids on and chain them to trees. Should I cut a hole closer to the ground or higher up on the trash can. I was thinking about cutting a hole the size of a paper plate (alowing the paw in, but not the head). What do you all recommend? >Frank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aksheephuntress Posted April 29, 2008 Report Share Posted April 29, 2008 ...I would think lower down...and 2 holes on either side-placed where you can get the bear to be viewed for size, from different angles... -Are you sure that that size of a hole would not be too big?? -Also...I highly recommend pouring a little Anise over the bait to seep in ...very strong and successful bear attractant- -Have you picked an area/spot where you will be baiting ?...(wasn't it Idaho?)...I might have missed one of your threads on this hunt...(sorry if I am asking a question that you already covered)... -This sounds like it's going to be a neat hunt! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Colorado Bob Posted April 29, 2008 Report Share Posted April 29, 2008 I never put a lid on my barrels. I just covered them with a flat rock & tree branches. If I were doing it your way---I would opt for a hole pretty low. I would make it so he could get his head in. This is for the doughnut barrel. For sure chain it to the tree. The grease barrel---I would use small holes to allow it to ooze out--CB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted April 29, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 29, 2008 ...I would think lower down...and 2 holes on either side-placed where you can get the bear to be viewed for size, from different angles... -Are you sure that that size of a hole would not be too big?? -Also...I highly recommend pouring a little Anise over the bait to seep in ...very strong and successful bear attractant- -Have you picked an area/spot where you will be baiting ?...(wasn't it Idaho?)...I might have missed one of your threads on this hunt...(sorry if I am asking a question that you already covered)... -This sounds like it's going to be a neat hunt! I'm planning to hunt near the Lochsa river (units 10&12). However, the snow is bad this year and I may have to just figure things out once I get there. I've heard/read about so many different ways to set up a bait station I honestly don't know what to do. I originally thought placing a smaller hole (grapefruit size) at the base was the way to go. Then I heard the bears are really big in Idaho and that grapefruit size would be too small for a bear to get his paw into. I also have heard (and saw on videos) keeping the tops open (cover with branches/etc.) Then again I've heard cutting a small hole will keep the bear at the bait longer because he has to dig around for the food and paw it out. Anyway, I thought I'd run it by you all before cutting up my trash cans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aksheephuntress Posted April 29, 2008 Report Share Posted April 29, 2008 ...That sounds neat... -hey...I am just curious...how did you come to make the decision on baiting for the hunt, instead of spot/stalk? .....(I'm sure you've already researched this...but-)...do you need some special baiting card, or class you have to take for that particular state...especially being a non-res.?? (that's how Alaska is...)- -if I were going to hunt bear out of state , I don't know if I would want to do the bait method.....just the logistics of it; ....do you have family or friends that live near that area? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Colorado Bob Posted April 30, 2008 Report Share Posted April 30, 2008 Don't want to rain on your parade but the bears in ID are average. 5'6" would be a pretty good bear. 6' is a dandy. You hear stories of some 7'ers----but they are few & far. I would be pulling the trigger on the 1st mature bear at the bait site. CB IMO---your opening should be about bowling ball size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted April 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2008 Thanks Colorado Bob and Kathleen. In Idaho a non-resident has to purchase a bear bait permit for 12 dollars I believe. There are certain regulations one must follow, but no classes. The area I'm in has a 2 bear limit. The first I plan to use my 300 ultra mag (possibly spot and stalk while I wait for the baits to become active). The second I'd like to take with my bow. That's why I elected to bait, because I don't think my chances are very good to get within 30 yards of a bear without bait. In addition I'd prefer to be in a treestand being that close to bear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtail Posted April 30, 2008 Report Share Posted April 30, 2008 what I do is cut a small hole at the top of the drum.just big enough to get there paw in.chain the drum loosely to the tree so if a bear does come he will knock it over for you and when your walking up to your bait you will have a good idea to load your gun or knock and arrow,just incase he is still eatingI t will also give you an idea how big he is because he will stand on his hinds to knock it over and when its on the ground they usaully lay beside the drum to give yo and idea how lfat he is.measure yuor drum find out how tall it is and how round it is.Ishot this bear at 10ft with my bow using this same method.I us a 45gal drum and my judge is if his back reaches the top ring on the drum he is a shooter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aksheephuntress Posted May 1, 2008 Report Share Posted May 1, 2008 ...Hey,wtail...nice bear!!...and welcome to the RT forums! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted May 2, 2008 Report Share Posted May 2, 2008 ...Hey,wtail...nice bear!!...and welcome to the RT forums! wow. there's a big ditto for you. welcome, and very nice bear:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted May 2, 2008 Report Share Posted May 2, 2008 Depends what's in it. If the bear can knock the barrel around the tree and shake some goody out, he'll stick with it. You can fill it with barley put a 2in hole in it and bears will just keep coming back to shake the heck out of it. A buddy of mine puts meats, grease and pastries around the barley barrel. They come for the free goodies then work for the barley. Works for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtail Posted May 2, 2008 Report Share Posted May 2, 2008 Oh ya dont forget to dump some real nice smelling grease around the drum so if a bear comes by he will step all over it and he we take that scent and spread it all over the place and any other bear that crosses that path will come in on his scent trail he just left.(bacon grease,chicken grease)I just picked up my bear a few weeks ago Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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