Idaho Bear Baiting?

WW · Feb 10, 2019

After elk hunting the last two seasons in unit 21 and seeing some bear sign I thought I might try bear baiting this spring. The regulations state that only one metal container can be used at each bait site. So if you are using a 55 gallon metal drum for your bait, would it be illegal to hang a bucket of stink bait in a tree such as rotten fish guts? What about a beaver carcass in a cage? Thanks Warren

elkboy32 · Feb 10, 2019

I typically don't use a 55 gallon drum. I'll cut a bunch of downed logs into 4-5 foot sections and lay them on top of my bait pile. The spots I hunt are far enough off the road it would be pretty difficult to carry a drum there. The closer to the road, the chances of a hound hunter stumbling across it goes up substantially. Nothing bums you out more then putting in a ton of time and energy and get a picture of hounds running through your bait. I have used chopped up carp in bucket, but I don't think it helped too much compared to fryer grease. The first bear will get it on their paws and make scent trails right to your bait. I think beaver carcass might be illegal. I very well could be wrong on that that though.

Outdoordan · Feb 11, 2019

First off, definitely bait barrels. This may ruffle some feathers and I am not trying to start a debate. I baited without a barrel for the first few years and changed my ways. By using a barrel, it will take from 4 days to 10 days for the bears eat it all. That allows you to get in further, and do it once a week. You need to bring enough bait to fill the barrel. That allows you to set it up, set your camera, and come back in a week to check it out. Barrels don't weigh that much, yes they are ungainly but not that hard to deal with.

http://www.monstermuleys.info/photos/user_photos_2019/64245baitbarrel.jpeg

Secondly, use an attract as you bait, we sometimes use a combo of marshmallow and jello, honey, etc. Use a burner to heat it or a sterno can. That will help get the ball rolling.

http://www.monstermuleys.info/photos/user_photos_2019/44920marshys.jpeg

Barrels also make it much harder for bears to get to the bait, holding bears much longer, and making bait last longer.

http://www.monstermuleys.info/photos/user_photos_2019/84872bearonbarrel.jpeg

Lastly, DO NOT USE PLASTIC OF ANY KIND! My buddy had a plastic barrel and got a ticket for it. It is right in the regulations, not even in a pale or milk jug!! The bears will tear it up and leave plastic everywhere.

"Containers: No bait may be contained within paper, plastic,
glass, metal, wood, or other nonbiodegradable materials,
except that a single metal container with a maximum size of
55 gallons may be used if securely attached at the bait site.
? No bait may be contained in any excavated hole greater
than 4 feet in diameter."

elkboy32 · Feb 11, 2019

Good point OutdoorDan. I have the opportunity to run bait every other day, so having a barrel may not have been as important in my setup. The key is to make sure there is food available whenever they want it.

Outdoordan · Feb 11, 2019

I agree, bears are like cats. As soon as you stop feeding them, they are your neighbors cat (bear).

lang · Feb 11, 2019

We have used cloth bags or old shirts to hang stink in. Have used barrels and without...we go without. We use sweet cob as a base and it takes them forever to eat and they can't carry it away. Can see using the barrel for bigger items and as a size reference if you feel it's worth it to pack it in. Lots of ways to bait, each has pluses and minuses.

WW · Feb 11, 2019

Thanks for the replies everyone. Lang what is sweet cob. Thanks Warren

Outdoordan · Feb 11, 2019

We use Cob (Feed at store: Corn, Oats, Barley with molasses) as well. I don't like using dog food, but others do. I have had bears eat everything but the dog food, and it just molded.

lang · Feb 12, 2019

It's cheap, clean, easy to carry and always available. If you watch feed stores in the spring we can usually get it for less than $10/55 lb. bags. We have used everything you can imagine and it has become our go to base. After about 3 weeks the seed will even start to sprout adding another advantage.

Outdoordan · Feb 12, 2019

Lang, we think the same. We have used free smelly chinese food, fryer oil, grease, donuts, etc. But, eventually settled on COB. Comes in a bag, I can go to feed store buy 4 bags, leave, drive to bait, carry bait in, and go home. Way to easy. I like to add some sweet stuff, whether that is marshmallows, or cereal, etc. A bear may eat meat, he may eat dog food, he may eat COB, but he will ALWAYS eat sweets, and it doesn't take a lot to keep him coming back over and over!!!

OLDHORNHUNTER · Feb 13, 2019

Just my 2 cents you did not say if you were going to be fairly close to a road or trail . If you are go with a 55 gallon barrel , if your hiking back in a ways go to a beer distributor & ask to buy a couple of their damaged PONY kegs. I did this a few years back cut the top off drill some small holes all around it & either hang it or attach it to a tree .I filled mine with honey - syrup - vegie oil - with Ainse extract .. I also took a hand spray bottle filled with veg oil & Anise extract & sprayed a bunch of trees & bushes going to the bait site BEARS everywhere !!! Popcorn is another Light Cheap bait to use .. And plain white sugar added to Anything keeps bears hanging around & coming in