Chapleau ON spring bear hunting questions

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phinton81

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Looking to do a DIY spot & stalk spring bear hunt this spring. Hunted in the Chapleau area before and really liked the look of many of the clear cut areas. Have the following questions:

1. Need to figure out a time frame to plan for, early May, late May? Would like to avoid the clouds of bugs if possible but not be too early,

2. Presume they move around dusk/dawn, any other suggestions to increase the odds?

3. Anyone tried calling? Predator calls? Thoughts?

4. Any particular early food sources to look for?

Thoughts appreciated, will only have a 3-4 days to hunt, thought about camping but likely going to stay in a hotel, right now planning solo but possibly able to convince my BIL to join.

Patrick
 
I would try to start your bear hunt as early as possible to avoid the swarms of spring Black Flies. Can't really give a firm date on when the flies appear as it depends on the weather.

I know when bears first come out of hibernation they like to eat fresh shoots of new green grass to get their digestive system going after the long sleep, sort of like dogs and cats eat grass to purge their digestive system. So areas of new green grass should be areas worth trying.

If the bears are past the early green grass stage try finding cuts that are a few years old with lots of old logs, stumps, rocks and boulders, bears will turn them over and/or rip them up looking for insects. Good luck.
 
Just got over 8 inches of snow and it’s still blowing. Boil a partial coffee can of honey in your bait area(grass, wherever) then dump the honey there. The smell carries in the breeze
 
45CAT said:
Just got over 8 inches of snow and it’s still blowing. Boil a partial coffee can of honey in your bait area(grass, wherever) then dump the honey there. The smell carries in the breeze
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I second the honey pot. I usually put in a couple tablespoons at a time boil it off and add some more, It’s so easy and itt fills the bush with a sweet sugary smoke.i don’t have much experience up that far north but last spring I went up to temagami for 3 days, saw a sow and two cubs in a meadow and there wasn’t a single bug and I was camping...fast forward to the week after (may 10th) there where so many baby black flies that a net was required...they weren’t biting yet but they may as well have been.
 
I live in Chapleau and we still have at least 2 feet of snow,Mother Nature is being a real beeotch this year.Lots of new cuts along the 101 east between here and Foleyet and also between here and Wawa.Not sure about the 129 south to Thessalon,haven't been down that way in a while.If you need any info let me know I'll do what I can.
 
I seen the mnr using the cheap no name juice crystals....... and was shocked how effective it was. ....he did this .....
Opened a pack and throu the contains/ powder in the air .......!!!!
It was a cloud just floating in the air .....it was just amazing to see ......he told me crystal light ...the no name stuff .....and hot choclate powder is the best
It sticks to leaves and trees!!!!
When I use to hunt bear I tried it ......it was just flipping amazing how many bears came in ......they started to fight they were eating leave branches ...it was just out of this world .......to see
Only problem was leaving the tree stand ........
I’ll put it this way. .....there were a lot more bears then I had cartridges........and a couple of big foockers too
You get my drift ....you know what I mean
And I’m in Sudbury
 
Looking to hunt Markstay/Warren area in Sudbury area w/son this spring bear for a few days. Is this a good spot looking for crown lands. Can't come up to scout area due to time. Haven't been up to hunt this area for some 25 yrs so I am expecting some changes to the real estate. Tried MNR still no answer after 3 weeks.
Thanks
 
redo75 said:
Looking to hunt Markstay/Warren area in Sudbury area w/son this spring bear for a few days. Is this a good spot looking for crown lands. Can't come up to scout area due to time. Haven't been up to hunt this area for some 25 yrs so I am expecting some changes to the real estate. Tried MNR still no answer after 3 weeks.
Thanks
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Great area for bears, if you are baiting... I have taken some bruisers from the area, half a dozen 400+ and a couple 500+. However, if you plan to just drive in and spot and stalk, forget it. There are very few places where you can do it and they are all private. There is a lot if crown land, but it is thick bush.
 
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Oddly enough, pink cream soda and marshmallows work quite well. Another thing that worked fairly well to bring them in was to bring along a thermos if bacon fat, still quite hot. When you dump it out, they can smell it for miles. As far as bugs go, well..... There's always those zippier suits, but I was never able to shoot with one on. A buddy of mine used to spray some of the bug dope he used on a few trees in the area, then sprayed himself all over. he claimed that this way, the bear would actually associate the smell of bug spray with food. Mind you, we never did get confirmation from a bear on that point, but it does make sense.
 
phinton81 said:
Looking to do a DIY spot & stalk spring bear hunt this spring. Hunted in the Chapleau area before and really liked the look of many of the clear cut areas. Have the following questions:

1. Need to figure out a time frame to plan for, early May, late May? Would like to avoid the clouds of bugs if possible but not be too early,

2. Presume they move around dusk/dawn, any other suggestions to increase the odds?

3. Anyone tried calling? Predator calls? Thoughts?

4. Any particular early food sources to look for?

Thoughts appreciated, will only have a 3-4 days to hunt, thought about camping but likely going to stay in a hotel, right now planning solo but possibly able to convince my BIL to join.

Patrick
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I think I've posted this somewhere before,but,If you get out early in the AM and cook your breakfast on a Coleman stove,Bears can smell bacon and eggs cooking up to 2 miles away. Hungry Bears in the spring usually show up within an hour. Ontario has greatly restricted bait station locations making baiting in southern area virtually impossible where there's residences/cottages/recreational trails in fairly close proximity. My information is that this is an excellent way around those regs. In the Chapleau area this shouldn't be much of an issue,but,if you have limited time to bait,this is a viable alternative,besides,food always tastes better when you cook it outdoors. Just keep a rifle handy.;)
 
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OK, thanks for Sudbury info. Can't hurt to ask, I'll keep on asking. Can't do a look and seek before due to our time this year.
 
Won't be visiting the area before so will have to stalk.
Any other areas to go to? I know you have too many bears In Sudbury so one or two less won't make a big difference.
Thanks.
 
Just a post to say good luck - I have family in Sultan and I hunt up there all the time. Ho boy the bugs are bad. Good luck, my friend.

Cannon
 
redo75 said:
Won't be visiting the area before so will have to stalk.
Any other areas to go to? I know you have too many bears In Sudbury so one or two less won't make a big difference.
Thanks.
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Can you travel little bit? How far from Sudbury would you be willing to drive?
 
Sure can travel, no problem.
Picked Sudbury due to visiting and hunting 25yrs ago. Not set in stone. Out of the area for a few yrs so don't know the new landscape.
Any ideas
 
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