Slow Start Bears - NE AB

[curtisb]

Anyone else feel it's a bit of a slow start this year to BB baiting?
Granted I got my bait's out early, (which is a complete waste all considered! lol)

None the less first week of May is normal for me to get bears on the baits around Fort McMurray.

This year I moved out of the "new" burn (maybe shouldn't have) to un established sites south of town, but I'm running 3 baits and I would have thought by mid may I'd have a hungry customer or 2... Nodda. Yet.

Seen a few on the hoof in/around town - but that's it. Those guys were out mid April...

I'm running oats, molasses and used donut oil - with castor bags hanging up high. Same stuff I've done over and over and they've always seemed to find the baits. But I've always been far NW of town, this year moved south after the fire.

I'll check again tonight - but just thought I'd put the feelers out to see if anyone else thinks they're slow to get going?
Thoughts? same or otherwise?

[st99]

I don't bait, but it is slow south of GP compare to average

[arrow_baron]

We've had lots of action west of the city. Maybe try and get some butcher scraps to bring the ravens in. We always run meat scraps at our baits until beginning of may to get the stink up and ravens in. The ravens squawking is a dinner bell for bears. Once we have bears on bait we switch to oats popcorn cooking grease and dog food. We also run beavers from start to finish

[3blade]

I'd go back and have a look for sign at your old spot. Bears remember things and will hit the same places every year (it's what gets them into trouble as well). They don't likely care about the burn if they think they will find food in a barrel

[smokedstew]

I've found it to be real slow around carrot creek area as well, nothing has come in to my baits and I have done a ton of scouting in all the areas that I see bears every year, have not seen a track at all. But guys 20kms to the east and west of me are seeing bears regularly?

[Guide5689]

14 bears down in 9 days for us in 519. 6 book bears. Grant you these are well established bait sites (26 of them)

[troutLakeJohnnie]

Been slow in west Kootenays, too. Up until yesterday. Neighbors killed 2 grimsleys and a blackie on one day. Grizz steak and eggs for breakie!

[Sask Bearman]

It's been very slow in NW Sask this spring too. I've never seen it so slow.

[35 whelen]

Originally Posted by Guide5689

14 bears down in 9 days for us in 519. 6 book bears. Grant you these are well established bait sites (26 of them)

When you say book bears Pope and young or 21 inch Boone and Crockett

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[reddeerhunter]

Book usually means boone town but that aint one.


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[35 whelen]

Yeah I know what book means 21 inches that's a pretty big bear anywhere in Canada 6 out of one Camp I don't know

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[Guide5689]

Originally Posted by 35 whelen

Yeah I know what book means 21 inches that's a pretty big bear anywhere in Canada 6 out of one Camp I don't know

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Pope, 18" 21 bears down now in two groups or 12 days of hunting.


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[reddeerhunter]

Originally Posted by Guide5689

Pope, 18" 21 bears down now in two groups or 12 days of hunting.


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Pics or didnt happen? Hahaha, good stuff.

[35 whelen]

Originally Posted by Guide5689

Pope, 18" 21 bears down now in two groups or 12 days of hunting.


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Yeah that's what I thought 6 Boone and Crockett out of Alberta would be a feat good job on the pope and Young are you working for Wizard Lake Outfitters

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[curtisb]

I ended up having a hit on one site on Wed. night, the other (2) baits I'm running got hammered Saturday.
Action across the board. But definite slower start around FM than usual. 2 weeks late. I actually saw (4) bears during my travels today for work...

(mind you, un established sites as well...but late in my opinion)

Thanks for the input guys!

[muzzy]

Got 5 baits out and all clobbered and three were only put out a week ago but were established baits. Buddy has 3 baits and all three hit too. Took a buddy out for a hunt sunday saw 5 bears but passed on them. I'll start hunting later this week