Mike Foss Blogs: Consistent baiting is one of the keys for a successful hunt
I think this is the summer without summer. Two days in a row up at 4:00 am and greeted by fog, light drizzle and 45 degree temperatures. Out the door by 5:00 am. It feels like fall and nice for baiting and setting stands. I’m getting used to the pesky bugs.
Went solo this week setting a few stands. Had to laugh at myself for being so jumpy with so many bears already around. Ventured to set up a stand and bait on one of my private and remote bait stations that has been well-established over the years. I noticed fresh bear tracks in the mud heading in. It just goes to show you bears remember and will check baits often even if they have not been baited for years.
A guide has to do this for years to realize that you start to adapt to a "Bear Mode" when approaching an established bait station, or a bait station that has to be set up. All senses are on full alert, as mine was on this day. No one wants a bear sneaking up on them.
It was dead quiet on this early morning. If any bears were in the area they surely would have known I was there. I set the stand pausing every so often to listen and scan the thick bush. With the stand set I usually would wait until the following week to bait to let my scent dissipate. The bears have already been there knowing there would be goodies placed for them soon so I made the decision to bait it. Well, I dumped the bait bucket in the hollow log which consisted of nuts, sugar cones, cookie dough, cookies and maple syrup. I set the bucket down behind me about 10 yards and brought out my secret weapon; "Bacon Gel” by Bear Scents LLC".
Bears will smell this from miles away and it lasts for months. I started to smear the bacon gel on some trees when I swore I heard some rustling in the brush behind me over by the bait bucket. This wouldn't be the first time a bear snuck up on me and scared the bageezes out of me. I shrugged it off the first time but when I heard the noise again I wheeled around expecting to see the critter that was making it. As I walked over to investigate near the bait bucket I had to laugh at myself. Some of the sugar cones that were stuck on the side of the bucket from the syrup had broken loose, landing in the bottom of the bucket and making the rustling sound.
Yup, this is the Bear Mode I was talking about.
Until next week. The photo shows another nice bear captured by my Cuddeback Attack trail camera.
Mike