I am new to blackbear hunting, had no luck in the fall up near Gravenhurst , Ontario but that was a bit of a drive i would like somwhere closer i was thinking around bass lake in orillia, does anyone have experience with central ontario bear hunting ? also what is your way of finding bears in the area ? Put a trail cam up over some food if they come in for it set up a barrel ? Thanks!
Central Ontario BlackBear hunting
- Thread starter Kondor
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maple_leaf_eh
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Get a copy of the hunting regulations. See if your intended zone is even open for bear.
Join the local fish and game club. Find the real outdoorsmen, and not just the gunstore camobellies. Pick their brains.
Make an appointment with a wildlife biologist in the Ministry of Natural Resources, maybe even at the local office. Pick their brains.
Buy a stack of old Ontario hunting and fishing magazines - the ones many guys have in 1' tall piles. Start scrolling for stories and pictures. If there are bears to hunt, you will learn what works and where.
I wouldn't even consider tactics yet.
Join the local fish and game club. Find the real outdoorsmen, and not just the gunstore camobellies. Pick their brains.
Make an appointment with a wildlife biologist in the Ministry of Natural Resources, maybe even at the local office. Pick their brains.
Buy a stack of old Ontario hunting and fishing magazines - the ones many guys have in 1' tall piles. Start scrolling for stories and pictures. If there are bears to hunt, you will learn what works and where.
I wouldn't even consider tactics yet.
You do realize that it only takes about 25 minutes to drive from Orillia to Gravenhurst right?
If you want to get a picture of a bear, as long as they are in the area, just put a gob of peanut butter on a stump, set up a trail cam and at "some point" you will get a picture of a bear - one will come by.
That has zero bearing on you being able to set up a stand or a blind and get a bear to come in "when you are there" nor does it mean that they are "regularly in the area" - bears do wander around quite a bit - they follow the food.
If you are going to bait for bears you have to tend that bait almost on a daily basis (at least ever second day). If you simply show up once a week with a bucket load of "swill", the bears will likewise "only show up once a week" if at all. If you "keep the restaurant open" they will stop by every night for dinner.
The point I'm trying to make is, it is a lot of work to "effectively" bait bears. If you can't make it out there every second day with many pounds of "stuff" for your barrel, then maybe abandon the idea as your "method" for bringing in bears. That doesn't mean you can't bait while you are there or the day before you plan on hunting, but it's unlikely to "significantly" increase your odds of seeing a bear unless there are dozens in the area.
Baiting to bring them in works - but it is a lot of work - which is why it doesn't work for most guys - they don't put in the work required.
But if you can tend a barrel AND your camera shows you that just about every evening (during shooting light) a bear or two comes in - they are notorious for coming in after full dark in more populated/used areas - then you know you have a place to hunt. Given that we are now about 3 weeks from the start of the season, you should already have your spot picked out and should be starting your baiting by "no later then" next weekend.
Otherwise, I would simply find somewhere to hunt (fast), get your stand or whatever set-up (something new spooks bears/deer etc and they avoid it for a week or two) and then when you go out hunting try a "immediate scent" or two (donut scent in the aerosol can, bacon smoke sticks etc) - not the "highest percentage", but might bring in a bear that's in the area poking around.
And if you do bait, take note of the "new" regulations regarding baiting:
That has zero bearing on you being able to set up a stand or a blind and get a bear to come in "when you are there" nor does it mean that they are "regularly in the area" - bears do wander around quite a bit - they follow the food.
If you are going to bait for bears you have to tend that bait almost on a daily basis (at least ever second day). If you simply show up once a week with a bucket load of "swill", the bears will likewise "only show up once a week" if at all. If you "keep the restaurant open" they will stop by every night for dinner.
The point I'm trying to make is, it is a lot of work to "effectively" bait bears. If you can't make it out there every second day with many pounds of "stuff" for your barrel, then maybe abandon the idea as your "method" for bringing in bears. That doesn't mean you can't bait while you are there or the day before you plan on hunting, but it's unlikely to "significantly" increase your odds of seeing a bear unless there are dozens in the area.
Baiting to bring them in works - but it is a lot of work - which is why it doesn't work for most guys - they don't put in the work required.
But if you can tend a barrel AND your camera shows you that just about every evening (during shooting light) a bear or two comes in - they are notorious for coming in after full dark in more populated/used areas - then you know you have a place to hunt. Given that we are now about 3 weeks from the start of the season, you should already have your spot picked out and should be starting your baiting by "no later then" next weekend.
Otherwise, I would simply find somewhere to hunt (fast), get your stand or whatever set-up (something new spooks bears/deer etc and they avoid it for a week or two) and then when you go out hunting try a "immediate scent" or two (donut scent in the aerosol can, bacon smoke sticks etc) - not the "highest percentage", but might bring in a bear that's in the area poking around.
And if you do bait, take note of the "new" regulations regarding baiting:
- Bait must not be placed within 500 metres of a residence unless written permission is obtained from the residence's owner
- Bait must not be placed within 500 metres of a public building
- Bait must not be placed within 200 metres of a right of way for public vehicle traffic or a marked public recreational trail.
yes but orillia is 45minutes from me currently.
I have a spot i baited last year the got hit and found signs of a bear i may go back there again. just a far drive to bait often
And that is often the problem - which is why it's better than nothing to bait (if you can't get to it almost daily), but it really does lower your odds so should not be relied upon to "bring in bears".
Hit them with scents when you are there, there is a number of products on the market - like I mentioned, spray bombs that smell like donuts or bacon - smoke sticks that smell like bacon or honey - synthetic honey and blueberry syrup that can put on logs or rocks - anything that will make them come around (because with "nothing out" they certainly have no reason to even wander by).
But using the "when I'm there" methods really does not increase your odds "significantly" - as long as your expectations match the amount of effort you can put into it you won't be disappointed.
But hey, there are far worse ways to spend a day then in a stand, with a rifle and a hunting licence in your pocket "just in case" Yogi wanders by...
Hit them with scents when you are there, there is a number of products on the market - like I mentioned, spray bombs that smell like donuts or bacon - smoke sticks that smell like bacon or honey - synthetic honey and blueberry syrup that can put on logs or rocks - anything that will make them come around (because with "nothing out" they certainly have no reason to even wander by).
But using the "when I'm there" methods really does not increase your odds "significantly" - as long as your expectations match the amount of effort you can put into it you won't be disappointed.
But hey, there are far worse ways to spend a day then in a stand, with a rifle and a hunting licence in your pocket "just in case" Yogi wanders by...
An hour and 15 minutes is a far drive to bait?? You should really consider yourself lucky!!! We consistently kill bears year in and year out. We also consistently drive 7 hours each way prior to the season to bait them. I guess it comes down to how much you want it and how much work you are willing to put in to do what you love.
You do have a good point, i am still fairly new to all this. I may try that site again, i am still learning as i go as no one in my family hunt's at all or has land i may use. I am willing to put in work but being very inexperienced i want to makesure it is worth it as i had alot of failure's last year. Trial and error
SilverSport 11
New member
- Location
- Victoria Harbour Ontario
I think most of Simcoe County will be hard to bait considering the new baiting regulations.
Bait must not be placed within 500 metres of a residence unless written permission is obtained from the residence's owner
Bait must not be placed within 500 metres of a public building
Bait must not be placed within 200 metres of a right of way for public vehicle traffic or a marked public recreational trail.
I'm not sure much public or even private land would meet these requirements. Use the measuring tool on mapping software, I think you will be hard pressed to find a spot without a building at 500m or a road at 200m in any direction. You may need to head further North.
Ken
Bait must not be placed within 500 metres of a residence unless written permission is obtained from the residence's owner
Bait must not be placed within 500 metres of a public building
Bait must not be placed within 200 metres of a right of way for public vehicle traffic or a marked public recreational trail.
I'm not sure much public or even private land would meet these requirements. Use the measuring tool on mapping software, I think you will be hard pressed to find a spot without a building at 500m or a road at 200m in any direction. You may need to head further North.
Ken
If you are only able to hit the spot occasionally, you may want to consider doing honey burns..... Works very well to bring in bears that are passing through..... Not as well as a well kept bait barrel by a long shot though....
I do have cam's and i have switched my area to MacTier ish area as i will be going camping during may up there and have more time to hunt that spot.
