Types of Bear Bait
Now is the time to start filling the freezer with whatever you can get your hands on for bear baiting. We used to have access to a walk-in cooler which was ideal for storing tons of bear bait. Thats right I said tons. If you plan on baiting more than 3-4 sites you’ll need every bit of 2-3 thousands pounds of bait. There have been years when we’ve used 5-6 thousand pounds when all is said and done.
If you know a butcher and can get and freeze meat scraps thats great. Also pastries from donut shops and wholesale bakery outlets is a must. There is a fish market near Marquette where we hunt, and during bear season they freeze 100 pound boxes of suckers and fish scraps. If you get in a pinch dog food with a little syrup poured over it will work. Grease of any kind, and bacon grease in particular, is good. Candy and any sort of sweet toppings are great. Marshmellows seem to work wonders whenever we have used them. One year we were fortunate enough to get to use the carcass of a cow. Besides all of the things mentioned there are several individuals and companies that sell bear bait. Once you have a bait “hit”, keep it chucked up and hot or that bear will leave and find another “live” bait.
Mike