With Alberta spring bear season just around the corner I was wondering how many people hunt spot and stalk vs sitting on a bait site? I personal have only spot and stalked black bear and have had very little success in the spring all my bear have come to me in the fall. I know the backcountry is still full of snow in Early April and its going to be a while before they come out so if I wanted to it would give me time to setup a bait station this year.
Spring Bear Spot and Stalk vs Baiting?
- Thread starter jurban
- Start date
Republic of Alberta
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- ,location, location
I agree baiting is too much work. In the amount of time it takes to just get the bait, drive out, set it up, wait for something to come in, I could have already had 2 bears on the ground and salted with spot and stalk.
I'd love to spot & stalk hunt but the bush in Manitoba is so thick that the only way you'll see bears is over a bait site. I spent 10 months working around Terrace and saw lots of bears. One day I'd love to do a bear hunt in BC just to go spot and stalking.
All my friends who bait tell me about spending hours being bitten by bugs while wishing they could get up and stretch a bit. 
There is a no baiting rule in the Yukon, so it's easy here. Just enjoy the country until you see a bear, then go.
We are just starting to call bears here as well, and would appreciate hearing from anyone who actually does it.
Ted
There is a no baiting rule in the Yukon, so it's easy here. Just enjoy the country until you see a bear, then go.
We are just starting to call bears here as well, and would appreciate hearing from anyone who actually does it.
Ted
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Ted I'v only called in 1 that I could have shot & 1 I didn't see till it spotted me & broke. They are slow to respond and seem to like a quieter call. It is fun to try & time in the bush is time well spent. Good luck AJ
All my friend who bait tell me about spending hours being bitten by bugs while wishing they could get up and stretch a bit.
To do it right, you need a fullbody bug suit, rubber gloves(sugery type) and a thermacell.
BrotherRockeye
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Rural Saskatchewan
bait hunting for me in N Sk. No place to really spot and stalk cuzz of the bush...
Yes, I can see that being one aspect of baiting.
Spot and stalk gives you as much time as you want. You can watch the bear for two hours before you stalk if you want to.
Ted
Ted we call bears every spring. I use fawn bleats,dying rabbit calls,even elk calls have worked. I have found it works best to spot the bear and then call it in. I have not had any luck just blind calling. Its seems to be about 50/50 how they react as well. I have had a couple come straight at me but others tear off like never to be seen again
...Bowhunting over bait for me... sure its lots of work, sometimes bugs can be bad (once I got a thermacell it hasn't been a problem)
One bonus, I see anywhere from 1 to 20 bears in an evening hunt. On average I have 6-8 bears on my stand a night. Lots of time to look and just watch them.
My bait is usually only 20yrds from my stand, which makes it intresting. I have had bears 16' directly below me looking at me, haven't had one come up a tree yet, but they will find a buckshot surprise if they do.
One bonus, I see anywhere from 1 to 20 bears in an evening hunt. On average I have 6-8 bears on my stand a night. Lots of time to look and just watch them.
My bait is usually only 20yrds from my stand, which makes it intresting. I have had bears 16' directly below me looking at me, haven't had one come up a tree yet, but they will find a buckshot surprise if they do.
