Friend Says Bear Over Bait Hunting Isn't Hunting

[Mossyhorns]

I was talking to a friend thats in his mid 50's and just started hunting.And i was telling him how i wanted to bear hunt up north.He asked hyow i was hunting them i said it would be in a stand over a bait crib.Immediatly he said thats not hunting.And i asked why not?He said that there was no sport in shooting a bear feeding on bait just feet away.So i asked how he would hunt bear in the thickets of the Northwoods.He said he would spot and stalk them.I'm guessing he has no idea what the northwood consist of.I can't see anyone stalking in on a bear through the bush w/o alerting it to your presents.

[Jerry]

Can't image it being different then stalking deer. Just go to know how. Which I don't.

[tcoop]

It's not the stalk in my opinion. I would be worried about the bear after that shot. I would hate running from a wounded bear in open ground, let alone heavy brush.

tcoop

[Mossyhorns]

You just gave me an idea.

I'll take a friend along on the bear hunt.That way all i have to do is out run him!!

[tcoop]

You buying? I'll be your "escape bait". I'm a mail man and my knees, feet, & ankles are about shot after walking 10 mi./day for 18 1/2 yrs.

But then again, I don't run, I just keep shooting.

tcoop

[Mossyhorns]

I'de buy into that one,then to find out your a marathon runner and medalist.... B)
A Mailman huh!! Whats the chances of you going POSTAL ::big ;barney [cont] on me... @black J/K
Sounds like you and i are about in the same boat,with the back and knees.I tweaked mine Monday and still got a limp cause the back is so sore.Because of my back i have to buy the comfortable treestands so i can get out of the tree after 4-8 hrs of hunting.I don't like building permeant stands,it's to hard on the trees.And i like to be able to move with deers patterns as they change with the food sources

[tcoop]

........"Because of my back i have to buy the comfortable treestands so i can get out of the tree after 4-8 hrs of hunting.I don't like building permeant stands,it's to hard on the trees.And i like to be able to move with deers patterns as they change with the food sources"..........

Hey Mossy,

Have you tried the Tree Lounge (http://www.treelounge.com/) ? It is the most comfortable stand you can find. My biggest problem is keeping awake. Even if you do fall asleep you don't need to worry about falling out. It is about impossible to fall out unless you try.

tcoop

[Mossyhorns]

The Tree Lounge was a little rich for my blood for a tree stand.I did buy a lounge stand from API.It's not a climber,it's a chain on.And a bear to hang because of the awkwardness of it.I resorted to using a rope and pulley once i get the steps in place to haul it up.Much safer too.I have never fallen asleep in a stand(knock on wood).But they would be the one i would want to be in if it happened.I do mostly bowhunting,and am not able to draw and shoot in the lounge position.And it's harder to get stood up from the thing too.Rivers edge makes a good wide padded seat on their chain ons with a extra wide platform with a footrest built in.
And i have the Extreme bowhunters climber stand,my favorite.
The Lounge stands make a super great all day shotgun/rifle stand if you like hunting from the trees like me.

[tcoop]

Hey Mossy,

Have you seen any of the Tree Lounge videos? They are great, especially the early ones. I had them all and lent them out. Now none of my buddies will admit to having them. I don't know where they are.

tcoop

[Bill Yox]

Mossyhorns, dont worry about what that guy said about bear hunting. His mind MIGHT change once he hunts bear himself. You can run them with dogs, still hunt in some locations, bait them, or just see them while deer hunting. Funny thing, nobody thinks hunting rabbitts or squirrels or birds with dogs is not sporting. Hunting ducks over a flooded field of crops, deer in the oaks, fishing in schools of bait, thats ok, though. You go shimmy up that tree, watch for those mosquitos, and keep your eyes peeled. Those bears literally just appear when they come to the bait, IF they come. Theres no gimme here. The good thing is, you are often able to size up a mature animal, or pass on a sow with that years cubs. Dog hunting allows that as well.

You hunt to please nobody but yourself, so dont worry about what someone who doesnt even have the experience says. For what its worth, I took great pleasure in still hunting three different bears, as well as one over bait. Good luck on YOUR adventure.

[Mossyhorns]

Darn good avdive Bill Thanks,I didn't agree with him anyway.

Yes i do have one of their video's tcoop.

[Tifford]

Here's my 2 cents

Hunting over bait is easier, but it is still hunting. I guess I was hunting over bait when I discovered a bear helping himself to my uncles corn fields but that was a big bait area and it wasn't a sure thing as to where, when or if he might pop up. If I had made any sort of sound while on that roof he would have been gone.

You don't know that the bear will show up. You don't know if the bear will smell you before you spot him. You don't know that the bear might circle the bait and pick up your scent. You only have the smell of food on your side. You have to deal with the smell and hauling the bait in. There is a container to put it in so the bear doesn't carry it off that some guys haul in and out.

With bears I don't like being on the ground......for the same reason as the "kitty kitty" video. If I was on the ground, I'd want 200yards between me and him if possible. Finding 200 yards shots in the north east where bears will roam is hard to do.

You can't really spot and stalk in the north east. Also, I hunted over ten years in the north east and never spotted a bear while moving on foot. The bears will hear/smell you way in advance and will get out of your way.

Someone said that they come out of nowhere and they are quite. That is so true.

Another thing to consider is the local laws. Some states don't allow bait.

If you can, I say go for it.

Tifford