Mike Foss wrote:I have said this before, all bears are not the same, what happens here in Wisconsin or in other areas of the country can be totally different. When I went to Canada the wind direction didn't matter, bears came in from all directions, when they hit our scent they would just pause for a short time and come in. I don't know if its the lack of interactions with humans that make them so bold and unafraid. I was amazed at how different things were done. The lack of detail was a head scratcher but everyone shot bears and big ones at that. As a guide, that didn't carry over to the way I do things. Here in Wisconsin the smallest of details are what kill big mature bears, there interactions with humans most likely on a daily basis is what gives them the human fear factor. I have made hunters sit in camp because the wind direction was wrong for that day, and when they did hunt they were well rewarded.
When booking a hunt, call the outfitter, drill him with questions, one of the biggest mistakes bear hunters make is they don't ask the appropriate questions, most rely on there buddies when booking the hunt (he said/she said)....in my book when a hunter calls me there is no such thing as dumb questions and I can talk bears for hours. I as well, as a guide, can get a good feel on that particular hunter on what he wants and expects. When booking a hunt, do your homework so there's no surprises and trust your guide, they have been doing this longer than you.
Its funny what you said about Canada being different, Certainly not disagreeing with you, I have never hunted Canada, but I always figured circling baits was just as much to know what rival bears were at the bait as to see if danger was there... I see big differences just Wisconsin to Minnesota. I think a lot of that has to do with Wisconsin baiting all year and Minnesota starting 3 weeks before season. Last year when I shot my bear in Minnesota I had 3 bears come in to that bait before my shooter on the same evening. Each one circled and the wind was blowing from the assumed bear bedding area and each bear checked the wind coming out of there blowing toward the bait, got nervous and left. The last one came walking into the bait fast and kind of care free till he hit that wind stream, then turned and stared into the wind towards where the big bear always approached from and then crashed off as hard as if he was shot. Minutes later the shooter came walking in wind to back, not circling, care free and I shot it.
I totally agree with you about calling the outfitter and talking with him, have questions prepared. Nothing worse than expecting something and its not that way. Both you and the guide will be happier if your on the same page.
) footprints and a stick over my trail (presumably to see if I came back) prior to that bear coming in. They sure are smart critters. 