Well finally, its spring in Saskatchewan, seems like the longest winter ever here. I am going out to set up my tree stand. I will do a combination sitting on bait and spot and stalk bear hunt this year. First year the Zone I'm hunting in is open for black bear hunting. Hope this means some huge, colored Saskatchewan River bears.
Good luck!
Looking forward to you taking us along with your hunts.
Never did one of these follow along threads before, but always enjoyed others, so here goes.
bait setup:
(http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/Tloran/2014-05-10111429_zps12618f3e.jpg) (http://s1085.photobucket.com/user/Tloran/media/2014-05-10111429_zps12618f3e.jpg.html)
Camera setup:
(http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/Tloran/2014-05-10111417_zps5be4ee8a.jpg) (http://s1085.photobucket.com/user/Tloran/media/2014-05-10111417_zps5be4ee8a.jpg.html)
This bait is on a Jack Pine ridge adjacent to a huge blow down area to the north, creeks to the south and east and a black spruce bog to the south west. My stand will be placed between the bog and bait to the south west of the bait, 17 yards. looks to be a natural corridor for game.
Several wolf tracks in the area, but no bear sign (YET!), I started with oats and bacon grease, for an appetizer with the bottom of the barrel holding some meat.
Once it starts getting hit I will put up stand. hope camera tells all Monday or Tuesday night.
Good luck!
I'm headed to Alberta next Saturday!
Bisch
Good luck,I am been hunting your Province a couple of time always with good luck.
Good luck! Please keep us posted.
Good luck my first and only time bear hunting was near Carrot River in Sask...loved it. My plan is to take my longbow up there again Spring 2015. Shoot straight...
Best of luck!! Post pics when it's over...
:campfire: This one is starting out good already!
GOODLUCK I can't wait for June 1st i am headed to Manitoba! Keep us posted!
Following along.
:thumbsup:
Good luck.I'm looking forward to this one.
Well I could not wait until early next week to check if anything was out there.
(http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/Tloran/2014-05-11115523_zpsde6707ee.jpg) (http://s1085.photobucket.com/user/Tloran/media/2014-05-11115523_zpsde6707ee.jpg.html)
likely a smaller bear than I want, but a good one night start to the setup.
Some shots of the area and the stand
Stand right in middle, bait to the right.
(http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/Tloran/2014-05-11120115_zpsfca4b89e.jpg) (http://s1085.photobucket.com/user/Tloran/media/2014-05-11120115_zpsfca4b89e.jpg.html)
creek to SE of stand
(http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/Tloran/2014-05-11120040_zps84c3d06b.jpg) (http://s1085.photobucket.com/user/Tloran/media/2014-05-11120040_zps84c3d06b.jpg.html)
tree Stand
(http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/Tloran/2014-05-11115450_zps4339a12d.jpg) (http://s1085.photobucket.com/user/Tloran/media/2014-05-11115450_zps4339a12d.jpg.html)
Well he liked oats and bacon grease, 1/5 of barrel gone. WELL IT IS TRUE BACON MAKES EVERYTHING BETTER!
(http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/Tloran/2014-05-11115503_zpsaaa3468b.jpg) (http://s1085.photobucket.com/user/Tloran/media/2014-05-11115503_zpsaaa3468b.jpg.html)
Stay tuned in for trail cam shots
my name sake on this site. Saves a quad ride.
(http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/Tloran/2014-05-11120358_zps257bded4.jpg) (http://s1085.photobucket.com/user/Tloran/media/2014-05-11120358_zps257bded4.jpg.html)
sorry for the crappy video, but looks to be sow with three cubs, bummer.
(http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/Tloran/th_IM000013_zps6bba85fd.jpg) (http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/Tloran/IM000013_zps6bba85fd.mp4)
QuoteOriginally posted by Hummer3T:
Well I could not wait until early next week to check if any thing was out there.
(http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/Tloran/2014-05-11115523_zpsde6707ee.jpg) (http://s1085.photobucket.com/user/Tloran/media/2014-05-11115523_zpsde6707ee.jpg.html)
likely a smaller bear than I want, but a good one night start to the setup.
Looks like you got it on your finger. Is that how you check for freshness? :biglaugh:
I'm headed to Manitoba 2 weeks from now. Following this thread will help keep me primed! Glad to see the white stuff appears to be gone. I'm hoping the lakes where we are headed will be open as well.
Whip, that is blood on my finger, a minor pruning saw shredding of the adjacent thumb. check for freshness by putting a little on the tongue. ;) Snow is not all gone but mostly. I doubt ice will be off the larger lakes for you, still 4 feet on most lakes around here. Good luck in Manitoba.
Great start..... :thumbsup:
Great! Good luck!! Thanks for taking the time to post and tell the story! Good luck!!
Good Luck
What part of the province are you hunting in Tim?I've got baits close to Nipawin,along the North Saskatchewan.Good luck with your bear hunt,Dell.
Dell I'm in the PAWMZ this year, usually I'm over by Greenwater, in the Fort ala Corne, or north across the EB Campbell, east along the north Saskatchewan. This year I thought I would try something new in a newly opened area. Sound like bears are hitting good everywhere, lack of grass. same for your baits?
Hey Good luck to you fellas in the north,shes starting to get pretty dry down south here.One of these days I would love to head north for bruins.
Only reliable way to check freshness is to chew on a piece. Crunchy all the way through is bad news.
I see a dead bear. :campfire:
Tim I'm having the same thing happening with my baits.The're getting hit hard right now,its a good time to be in the stands early this year.Plus no mosquitoes yet.Can't wait to see how you make out this year.Hey Steve,maybe sometime you could come up and hunt one of my stands if it works out.Dell.
Dell,That would be great.I'll contact you this summer and we'll try for next year.Would love to try it.
Man headed to Quebec in 35 days. This is an awesome thread! Good luck!
That would be great Steve!
oooh there comin. sow and 3 cubs will spead the news fast
Great thread. Good luck.
Steve your welcome anytime, I will let you know if I have multiple bears and if you can make it, just drive up.
I have a little piece of heaven over by greenwater, maybe Del, yourself and me should do a trad shooting weekend?
I'm at a training course for 2 days and coaching at night, hopefully I make it out Wed.
sorry guys, 3 1/2 hours on the tree stand tonight and no bears. They seem to be coming after dark. I will try again this weekend. Trail camera issues so no pictures tonight.
Keep at it the photos show they are there. Good Luck
Good luck! I would love to get up that way again. Looking for some more great pics.
Looks great! Wish I had bear to run. On a side note, I know you said this was your first "follow along" thread, but kudos on a great start! Thats what makes this forum group so interesting and valuable - we get a chance to learn the processes people use. Whether for tuning, building, shooting, or hunting. Its reading through these processes that keep me coming back for more. Educating and entertaining! Good luck!
good luck... I wish I was there.
Joe
Hey Tim,best of luck out there.Would love to hunt with you fellas up there,lots of fun to be made.Wife says I'm a helluva good cook,but look lousy in the morning !
Well sat for another 2.5, and nothing. Momma is still bringing the three cubs. This tells me there is not a lot of big boars around mom stayed at the bait all night for three nights.
Looks like (a boar?)came in the afternoon.
(http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/Tloran/EK000589_zps6137ce08.jpg) (http://s1085.photobucket.com/user/Tloran/media/EK000589_zps6137ce08.jpg.html)
(http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/Tloran/EK000620_zpsa7b5e432.jpg) (http://s1085.photobucket.com/user/Tloran/media/EK000620_zpsa7b5e432.jpg.html)
note the size diff in the three cubs.
(http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/Tloran/EK000517_zps75a01a17.jpg) (http://s1085.photobucket.com/user/Tloran/media/EK000517_zps75a01a17.jpg.html)
trail cameras time and dates are off
I can only afford enough time to have one bait, should I stick it out here or move? Season in this zone only open until June 1.
I wouldn't dare move now. just hunt as much as you can, you might be there when the one you want makes his first and last visit. you now have 2 separate hitters so I would expect another or three soon.
two more hours tonight, nothing again, looked like nothing touched the bait.
I will try tomorrow, but?
If the boar was around, won't the sow and cubs leave? Maybe they feel safe, and have laid claim to your free lunch. Just wondering. Good luck. :campfire:
If the boar was around, won't the sow and cubs leave? Maybe they feel safe, and have laid claim to your free lunch. Just wondering. Good luck.
If the boar was around, won't the sow and cubs leave? Maybe they feel safe, and have laid claim to your free lunch. Just wondering. Good luck
If the boar was around, won't the sow and cubs leave? Maybe they feel safe, and have laid claim to your free lunch. Just wondering. Good luck.
wow, Hud you really mean it, LOL.
I was saying the same, an last night no hits, so maybe she took her cubs and left after the afternoon boar started coming. I will go this afternoon to see if I can see him (if that was a boar and not her, without cubs.
yummmmm! beaver
(http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/Tloran/EK000212_zps7e65964b.jpg) (http://s1085.photobucket.com/user/Tloran/media/EK000212_zps7e65964b.jpg.html)
picking up the crumbs
(http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/Tloran/EK000230_zps51d33292.jpg) (http://s1085.photobucket.com/user/Tloran/media/EK000230_zps51d33292.jpg.html)
(http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/Tloran/EK000228_zpsa13777aa.jpg) (http://s1085.photobucket.com/user/Tloran/media/EK000228_zpsa13777aa.jpg.html)
that boar wont stick around once the rut kicks in unless you have another sow without cubs in area...that is in heat. THat sow with cubs wont necassarily leave but without a sow in heat there is nothing to keep a big boar in area and he will move on once that starts up. Should be within the next week or two it heats up.
Would give it a bit longer to see if the boar comes in during day but if no other bears show up other than the sow with cubs maybe a move is in order...but establishing a new bait is not easy and would be just luck I would think.
I would be tempted to stick the site out and see if other bears come to it...maybe put some grease on ground around bait so they track that off with them and others may smell and backtrack to your setup. Plus that beaver carcass will start getting ripe and bears gonna eat something...LOL I would have got some spikes and nailed it to the tree though to make it tougher to get or hung from wire over a limb as high as you can get it. :)
If the boars has taken over the bait he will be bedded within 50 yards or closer to it. So if you have a buddy that can go with you. Go in and bait and get in your stand while your buddy walks out. They are smart but don't count well. I've killed a couple old boars using this method. I've actually had them follow me to the vehicle when baiting to make sure I left.
Mike
Sat today for 3 hours in the afternoon. Beaver and feed got eat that night but no bears hit the bait the last two days. No trail cam pictures, sorry. It has gotten windy, cloudy and cold here, but this week is supposed to get up to 24-28 so I hope that brings on something more.
QuoteOriginally posted by wingnut:
If the boars has taken over the bait he will be bedded within 50 yards or closer to it. So if you have a buddy that can go with you. Go in and bait and get in your stand while your buddy walks out. They are smart but don't count well. I've killed a couple old boars using this method. I've actually had them follow me to the vehicle when baiting to make sure I left.
Mike
do you think he is going to bed down to guard the bait with the sows coming into heat this week and next ...with that sow and cubs being there and no others around? Maybe this week but the rut in that area happens early June to mid June if I remember right...it is about time for them to start wandering and chasing receptive sows I would think.
Brock, I doubt the sows will be in heat until Mid June. We are usually around that time with the rut and this year is really late. I would guess as far as the sow with three cubs, that if any other bears show up, she would leave, due to the threat to her cubs. If he is bedded in the area, he would be checking the bait if not eating from it. two days with no picks tells me that he was moving through, or it might have been the female with the three cubs (but the cubs were out of site?
I have talked to several other hunters and they saw a big slow down this weekend also. Likely due to the cold weather (no sun to heat the bait, or some redenning took place. We are still ice fishing on three feet of ice. A guy I was talking to drove his truck on the lake to ice fish this weekend (maybe crazy but happened).
We had a really cold weekend, so I'm hoping that is what the slow down is from.
I wouldn't be to worried about a boar leaving the bait for a sow yet. A pile of food is a great place to look for a mate, just think about when you were single and went to the grocery store, haha. It seems to me that your area is just getting started, I see this a lot in the beginning, its like they don't want or cant feed heavy every day. They will all be back at some point soon.
I would for sure try the 2 guys in and one leave. also if you need to clear your trail so you can get in really quiet.
once they get that plug out and start feeling the urge to eat all the time they will get brave and compete more while becoming more brazen and showing up in daylight. Are you leaving your scent at the stand, like a pair of socks or a shirt, if you are a chewer leave some of that too.
I agree JR, only trouble is the season in this zone is only for two more weeks. Hoping the bears pick it up in a hurry.
if you sit every evening you will get him. I bet you will see him at least once before he comes in.
With my schedule I can only sit every second day, but I'm confident they are going to come. Just started to feel a little beaten from seeing nil.....
That's hunting.... :)
If you have access to cooking grease or bacon grease dribble that all around the bait. I think someone mentioned it already but any bears or other critters that visit your site will leave sweet smelling trails that lead back to the bait. Free advertising!!! Rick.
True Dat! ^^^^^
"Its a boy" went out today to refresh the bait, have not been able to hunt since Monday, and can't today either. But tomorrow morning I'm going from 10:00 to 13:00 hours. I took everyone's advice and made a attractant trail mix for around the bait, pancake syrup, bacon grease, salt and a few other special ingredients? this should leave some good smelly, sticky trails. Mom and three cubs are still coming at night all night, so at first was thinking, "I'm only feeding a family" but something is coming at noon still.
(http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/Tloran/EK000841_zpscbcd7bee.jpg) (http://s1085.photobucket.com/user/Tloran/media/EK000841_zpscbcd7bee.jpg.html)
(http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/Tloran/EK000837_zps507ec8ec.jpg) (http://s1085.photobucket.com/user/Tloran/media/EK000837_zps507ec8ec.jpg.html)
(http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/Tloran/EK000839_zpscaa769dc.jpg) (http://s1085.photobucket.com/user/Tloran/media/EK000839_zpscaa769dc.jpg.html)
(http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/Tloran/EK000830_zpsac8acb08.jpg) (http://s1085.photobucket.com/user/Tloran/media/EK000830_zpsac8acb08.jpg.html)
(http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/Tloran/EK000824_zpsac2a0cb8.jpg) (http://s1085.photobucket.com/user/Tloran/media/EK000824_zpsac2a0cb8.jpg.html)
melon head!!!!!
That bear looks like his face is pretty scarred up.It's getting interesting.Good luck.
very nice...glad the grease worked on their foot traffic...very nice. :)
will you sit the evening as well?
JR I will try, but busy time for the family. For sure 3-5 hours in Morn to afternoon.
just noticed I think the 11:00 and 18:00 bears are two different bears. 11:00 boar has squarer face and is maybe bigger.
Oh man, you are going to kill that pumpkin head! Good luck :campfire:
5 hours and no bear today. tomorrow again.
Oh pumpkin head where are you!
Wishing you the best of luck ... nice looking bear you have coming in
another 2 hours on the stand tonight, nothing.
AND ANOTHER 3 1/2 HOURS TODAY. NOTHING HIT THE BAIT. ugh.....
seems like boars only come the day after the sow with three cubs comes.
not sure what is happening any suggestions?
If the rut is on,the boars may need to be somewhere else,meaning where there is a sow in heat or near heat.That would mean the home range of a female with yearling cubs or who just kicked them off.That will be the boar's priority right now.
:campfire: Best of luck!
Well another 3 hours tonight, nothing has touched or come to the bait since last Thursday. the weather (cold single digits, heat + 30 and rain for two days, rut, my stench, wrong baits, change in patterns, etc.
I have 3 days and two hunting days until seasons end. Hope old pumpkin head shows up.
If not this season, I will switch in June to S and S, in my hay fields of dandy lions where the season goes to the end of June and then to the fall season.
Good luck!!
homebru
Well went out today for a couple hours this evening, nothing, nothing has been at or hit the bait for 8 days.....one more day and its all over.
stay positive- the last day might be the one that YOU CONNECT!
L.R.
well don't feel bad my site was hot and heavy for a month now nothing for 15 days.
Good luck.It sounds like you have some good options.If you hunt that same spot next year,that sow will be kicking those cubs off and coming in to heat,so she should be pulling some nice boars in there.
At about 8:00 I could here some smashing in the bush to the south. It was so noisy I thought I must be a moose or elk. At 8:20 A bear showed up, but the noise did not stop. Mom and three cubs, I thought this was great, until.....they came right in, mom must have caught a little wind and woofed, the lead cub now decided the tree next to mine was the one to climb. The other two cubs stayed about 30 yards away. Mom was upset, I sat still until the cub was down and I talked them away. About 25 minutes later she ( cubs stayed about 40 meter out) was back, I new she was in for the night so about 9:00 I tried to scare them off a little to get down. She stayed! I had to get down with her 17 yards away, she just watched. Well the last night on the stand and finally some excitement. If the pattern stays true pumpkin head will be there at noon tomorrow and the other boar in the afternoon. why could this not have happened one or two days earlier. ( we will see what the trail says.) Had to leave everything so will report as my final post ( re: 2014 baiting) when I pick up the stand, barrel and trail cam. Got some good video tonight, will try to load it up.
Now S and S at the ranch, should be good dandelions are at their peak.
here are the last of the trail cam pictures. would have kept hunting interesting if I saw some of this on stand.
(http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/Tloran/EK000066_zps74b08bd0.jpg) (http://s1085.photobucket.com/user/Tloran/media/EK000066_zps74b08bd0.jpg.html) (http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/Tloran/EK000064_zpsb2b9b3fd.jpg) (http://s1085.photobucket.com/user/Tloran/media/EK000064_zpsb2b9b3fd.jpg.html) (http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/Tloran/EK000087_zps22794da5.jpg) (http://s1085.photobucket.com/user/Tloran/media/EK000087_zps22794da5.jpg.html) (http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/Tloran/EK000116_zps128ea573.jpg) (http://s1085.photobucket.com/user/Tloran/media/EK000116_zps128ea573.jpg.html) (http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/Tloran/EK000117_zps29e91701.jpg) (http://s1085.photobucket.com/user/Tloran/media/EK000117_zps29e91701.jpg.html) (http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/Tloran/EK000166_zps48b81080.jpg) (http://s1085.photobucket.com/user/Tloran/media/EK000166_zps48b81080.jpg.html) (http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/Tloran/EK000168_zps495f4a82.jpg) (http://s1085.photobucket.com/user/Tloran/media/EK000168_zps495f4a82.jpg.html)
Hey Ol buddy ,don't depair,you played the game,thats what its all about.I always said my best seasons were the ones I never got anything.Just like Doug Borland use to say" As a traditional bowhunter, all we ask for is a possibility "
Wow ,what a Spud that last fella is.Looks like he ate Oprah !
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed my hunt but really enjoy seeing stuff when I'm out, even if I don't get a shot or even if the animal is not what I'm hunting.
Enjoyed the story - thanks for sharing and for the pics. Makes me want to be out there. :) Todd :archer: