I am currently on a black bear hunt in Idaho and the Outfitter is cooking bacon, marshmellows, and syrup at the bait site. Is building a fire at the baitsite common or is this Outfitter totally nuts?  I pray I hanen't waisted money on a hunt again.

I have never baited a bear or even been on a bear hunt so this is simply a guess, but what I do know from my years of dog training and deer chasing is any creature learns very fast. Especially when it comes to food. If he has been doing it that way for a while the bears will associate that smell with food. So sit back and nock an arrow and try not to Guide the Guide.

Not uncommon.  Be careful of hungry hikers though.

Sounds good to me. I use a propane stove, but have used fires for grease.

He is normal. The smoke sticks to everything, goes farther and smells longer then just the natural smells of certain baits.