Bear hunting, bait vs. spot and stalk?

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Man with all the "Bear Defense Gun Threads" on this crazy forum, you wouldn't even think you would need to bait a bear.
If the number of dingbats posting those threads every two minutes is any indication of the actual danger of bear numbers out there in the bush you would think the BEARS would be hunting YOU! :D
 
track said:
Enjoy your nap or texting time over your bait..........
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Hunting over a bear bait is no time for a nap or texting, not if you want a crack at a real good one...The big bruins are for the most part very wily and nocturnal...They didn't get that big by being stupid...When trophy hunting over baits for a real dandy you had better play the wind and be ready for a shot that may only present it's self for a brief moment...Like trophy whitetail hunting I find the best chance, even over a well used bear bait, is during the rut when the big boys will for a short while let their guard down somewhat...Giving you a passing shot as they come to the bait looking for pussy.

I personally prefer to hunt the green up period in early spring around hay fields and swamp meadows as I like long range shooting...However, in our area this strategy does not offer much of a chance for a crack at a big wise old bruin...Baits during rut are by far your best bet.
 
hawk-i said:
Actually Track, I don't hunt over baits for bears....its illegal here in BC. .....
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Why would it be illegal in BC ?
Would it be because the 'hunter' might doze off and fall out of the tree ?
Would it be because the 'hunter' might damage the tree?
Would it be because the 'hunter' might be attacked by a flock of crows ?

Or would it be because that particular method of killing bears (I refuse to use the word 'hunt') is un-fair to the bear ?

You really have a different definition for the concept of 'hunt' and the phrase 'fair chase' ........ what chase ?
But, where it's acceptable and legal to kill bears in that fashion ...... carry on! Others who do actually hunt bears (spot & stalk) think your legal methods are un-ethical ...... (smiley face)
 
Macarena Man said:
Agree with you ......... over bait = bear shoot. No hunting involved.

Maybe the definition of the words 'hunt' and 'chase' have different meanings for those that like to remain comatose for long periods of time, waiting for something to 'fall into their lap' ...
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I was expecting Bruce and Track to show up... as usual, with the same rhetoric they spew on the subject of hunting over baits... even though I doubt either have tried it... and I suspect you haven't either...

What you all fail to realize is that squeezing the trigger is ALWAYS just SHOOTING... the hunt comes before the squeezing of the trigger...

If I work my butt off scouting for ten days, put up a stand and shoot a monster buck, I am a "true hunter."

If I scout, put up a stand and work my butt off baiting for ten days and shoot a monster bear, I am a "what" exactly???

Some of you guys are splitting hairs pretty fine... hunters slinging mud at other hunters just leaves a bunch of muddy hunters... that is what the non-hunting public see and hear.

Of the more than fifty archery bears I have taken, two thirds were by baiting, a couple by calling, and the rest by spot n' stalk... having done it all... I can tell you that baiting is by far the most work... and it is not just some slob throwing a barrel in the bush... if you want to be successful on a good boar, you have to scout, understand bear biology understand habits and habitat, be aware of positioning and wind, utilize stealth etc... etc...

When the time comes for the shot... it is just shooting... just like when you stalk a bear feeding on berries in a cut, when the time comes for that shot, it is just shooting...

Some of you need to evaluate your biases...

If you don't want to participate, that's fine... there are opportunities for all...

I promise I won't criticize you for shooting your bear at 400 yards with a .300 WM in the local berry patch... OR your neighbors oat field.
 
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I didn't realize how contentious of a topic this was. Having said that I'm not sorry I brought it up, and I believe that if what a person is planning is legal and ethical then fill your boots. There is a better than even chance that I will try both methods this spring and decide from there. As I said it's my first attempt at bear and I would like some success.
 
Albertarookie said:
I didn't realize how contentious of a topic this was. Having said that I'm not sorry I brought it up, and I believe that if what a person is planning is legal and ethical then fill your boots. There is a better than even chance that I will try both methods this spring and decide from there. As I said it's my first attempt at bear and I would like some success.
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Good on you. Hope you have a great hunt.
Like everything on the internet you have to wade through it and while most have something to contribute that you can learn from you don't always have to agree with all of what they type. Some recognize that, some don't.

Keep in mind while there's a wealth of experience on here there are also a bunch of posers who are quite accomplished at posing. In time you'll be able to sort them out a bit. By your posts, you'll do just fine. ;)
 
hoytcanon said:
I was expecting Bruce and Track to show up... as usual, with the same rhetoric they spew on the subject of hunting over baits... even though I doubt either have tried it... and I suspect you haven't either...

What you all fail to realize is that squeezing the trigger is ALWAYS just SHOOTING... the hunt comes before the squeezing of the trigger...

If I work my butt off scouting for ten days, put up a stand and shoot a monster buck, I am a "true hunter."

If I scout, put up a stand and work my butt off baiting for ten days and shoot a monster bear, I am a "what" exactly???

Some of you guys are splitting hairs pretty fine... hunters slinging mud at other hunters just leaves a bunch of muddy hunters... that is what the non-hunting public see and hear.

Of the more than fifty archery bears I have taken, two thirds were by baiting, a couple by calling, and the rest by spot n' stalk... having done it all... I can tell you that baiting is by far the most work... and it is not just some slob throwing a barrel in the bush... if you want to be successful on a good boar, you have to scout, understand bear biology understand habits and habitat, be aware of positioning and wind, utilize stealth etc... etc...

When the time comes for the shot... it is just shooting... just like when you stalk a bear feeding on berries in a cut, when the time comes for that shot, it is just shooting...

Some of you need to evaluate your biases...

If you don't want to participate, that's fine... there are opportunities for all...

I promise I won't criticize you for shooting your bear at 400 yards with a .300 WM in the local berry patch... OR your neighbors oat field.
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Oh boy, things just got serious:stirthepot2:
 
Macarena Man said:
Why would it be illegal in BC ?
/QUOTE]

I don't make the rules, I just follow them.
So what's the difference in sitting in a tree stand on a game trail between bedding and feeding areas and sitting in a tree stand over a bait barrel???
Both are equally fair chase :)
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hoytcanon said:
I was expecting Bruce and Track to show up... as usual, with the same rhetoric they spew on the subject of hunting over baits... even though I doubt either have tried it... and I suspect you haven't either...

What you all fail to realize is that squeezing the trigger is ALWAYS just SHOOTING... the hunt comes before the squeezing of the trigger...

If I work my butt off scouting for ten days, put up a stand and shoot a monster buck, I am a "true hunter."

If I scout, put up a stand and work my butt off baiting for ten days and shoot a monster bear, I am a "what" exactly???

Some of you guys are splitting hairs pretty fine... hunters slinging mud at other hunters just leaves a bunch of muddy hunters... that is what the non-hunting public see and hear.

Of the more than fifty archery bears I have taken, two thirds were by baiting, a couple by calling, and the rest by spot n' stalk... having done it all... I can tell you that baiting is by far the most work... and it is not just some slob throwing a barrel in the bush... if you want to be successful on a good boar, you have to scout, understand bear biology understand habits and habitat, be aware of positioning and wind, utilize stealth etc... etc...

When the time comes for the shot... it is just shooting... just like when you stalk a bear feeding on berries in a cut, when the time comes for that shot, it is just shooting...

Some of you need to evaluate your biases...

If you don't want to participate, that's fine... there are opportunities for all...

I promise I won't criticize you for shooting your bear at 400 yards with a .300 WM in the local berry patch... OR your neighbors oat field.
Click to expand...

Wow !
 
hoytcanon said:
I was expecting Bruce and Track to show up... as usual, with the same rhetoric they spew on the subject of hunting over baits... even though I doubt either have tried it... and I suspect you haven't either...

What you all fail to realize is that squeezing the trigger is ALWAYS just SHOOTING... the hunt comes before the squeezing of the trigger...

If I work my butt off scouting for ten days, put up a stand and shoot a monster buck, I am a "true hunter."

If I scout, put up a stand and work my butt off baiting for ten days and shoot a monster bear, I am a "what" exactly???

Some of you guys are splitting hairs pretty fine... hunters slinging mud at other hunters just leaves a bunch of muddy hunters... that is what the non-hunting public see and hear.

Of the more than fifty archery bears I have taken, two thirds were by baiting, a couple by calling, and the rest by spot n' stalk... having done it all... I can tell you that baiting is by far the most work... and it is not just some slob throwing a barrel in the bush... if you want to be successful on a good boar, you have to scout, understand bear biology understand habits and habitat, be aware of positioning and wind, utilize stealth etc... etc...

When the time comes for the shot... it is just shooting... just like when you stalk a bear feeding on berries in a cut, when the time comes for that shot, it is just shooting...

Some of you need to evaluate your biases...

If you don't want to participate, that's fine... there are opportunities for all...

I promise I won't criticize you for shooting your bear at 400 yards with a .300 WM in the local berry patch... OR your neighbors oat field.
Click to expand...

:cheers:
 
Macarena Man said:
Why would it be illegal in BC ?
Would it be because the 'hunter' might doze off and fall out of the tree ?
Would it be because the 'hunter' might damage the tree?
Would it be because the 'hunter' might be attacked by a flock of crows ?

Or would it be because that particular method of killing bears (I refuse to use the word 'hunt') is un-fair to the bear ?

You really have a different definition for the concept of 'hunt' and the phrase 'fair chase' ........ what chase ?
But, where it's acceptable and legal to kill bears in that fashion ...... carry on! Others who do actually hunt bears (spot & stalk) think your legal methods are un-ethical ...... (smiley face)
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In BC, it's wholly unnecessary, which moots the point of us not using baiting. With one third of Canada's black bears you can leave and 07:00, and be coming home with a bear at 08:00. For anyone from BC to criticise baiting and somehow feel shooting one of the seven bears you'll see on a gravel road drive in the spring is fairer chase than a bait in Ontario makes my eyes roll. It's legal, it's an important means of bear management, and the effort invested makes us here going for a walk with a pack and binos look embarrassingly lazy. They are our hunting brothers and good for them, I hope you only fish barbless and 4lb test whether it be lakes, sal####er you name it to keep it all fair chase there too. :)
 
Ardent said:
In BC, it's wholly unnecessary, which moots the point of us not using baiting. With one third of Canada's black bears you can leave and 07:00, and be coming home with a bear at 08:00. For anyone from BC to criticise baiting and somehow feel shooting one of the seven bears you'll see on a gravel road drive in the spring is fairer chase than a bait in Ontario makes my eyes roll. It's legal, it's an important means of bear management, and the effort invested makes us here going for a walk with a pack and binos look embarrassingly lazy. They are our hunting brothers and good for them, I hope you only fish barbless and 4lb test whether it be lakes, sal####er you name it to keep it all fair chase there too. :)
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Nicely put, not sure why we (CGN) seem to be at each others throats all the time?
 
track said:
Wrong! Hunting in a crop field is not the same as hunting over a bait pile. Over the bait pile there is "intent" to bait for the purpose to attract the animals, crops are there for the purpose as an income for farmers. A person hunting in a crop field did not bait with "intent", only "intent" to hunt. Sitting in a tree stand/ground blind over bait is not hunting, where is the skill or challenge?
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Sorry but you fail
 
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Macarena Man said:
Shooting bears over bait in not 'fair chase' ........ no matter how you try to justify yourself.
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I am not trying to justify myself, there is nothing that needs to be justified...shooting a bear or a deer from a tree stand whether it be over bait or a know frequented feed field is no different.

As I said Baiting for bear here in BC is NOT allowed so I follow the rules and do not bait for bears. Black bear hunting in BC is not a challenging hunt no matter how you do it. Spotting a bear from ones vehicle and walking within shooting distance doesn't take a whole lot of skill.

Is picking an ambush site and calling a bear, moose, elk, or fowl in not fair chase as well?

It's all fun and truthfully baiting is a LOT harder work than spot and stalk. :)
 
IMO being only a few feet up a tree and having a good bear pass the bait and eyeing you down at 10yds is pretty darn rewarding. Who ever thinks baiting is easy and not fair hunting, haven't a clue. And to the same people what do you consider walking to a high point spotting an animal at 3-400yds taking all the time in the world to get a steady rest and shoot them with a long range rifle like a 300wm???????
 
Ardent said:
In BC, it's wholly unnecessary, which moots the point of us not using baiting. ..........
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Why then did the BC Provincial Fish, Wildlife, & Habitat Management Branch deem it unlawful ...... 'to hunt bears by placing bait or by using a dead animal or using part of it as bait' .. ?
That makes your point moot .....

You 'hunters' from other provinces where baiting is legal ....... carry on, have fun, do whatever you like to do. I don't consider shooting bears over bait as 'hunting' or 'fair chase' ..... my opinion ........ (smiley face)
 
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hawk-i said:
It's still a fair chase hunt....no different than hunting whitetails feeding on a green field...or fowl feeding on grain fields. :)
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Agreed.......and what one person considers fair chase may differ from another's perception of fair chase. That does not mean "my" preferred method is wrong? It just means I have different beliefs.

Bruce you are a nice fellow but it could be argued you had unfair advantage too being a bush pilot and being able to spot game from the air? Would not have made me say you were not practicing fair chase though!!
 
canadaman30 said:
IMO being only a few feet up a tree and having a good bear pass the bait and eyeing you down at 10yds is pretty darn rewarding. Who ever thinks baiting is easy and not fair hunting, haven't a clue. And to the same people what do you consider walking to a high point spotting an animal at 3-400yds taking all the time in the world to get a steady rest and shoot them with a long range rifle like a 300wm???????
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A 3-400yd shot at a bear is irresponsible .........
Hope that you know better than that .....
 
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