Awesome input here. Just an update, I picked a second spot to bait on saturday and put out bait and a camera. I am not sure this second spot will be as good, there were no berries around from what I could tell but it still is a big white oak ridge surrounded by dark deep swampy bear country, so at the least I am expecting a hit on the bait.
I went back to bait my original spot on sunday around 11 am in accordance with advice from on here. About a quarter mile from the bait I have to cross through a dark, wet, grassy area. I was just walking and all of a sudden I heard something weird like FFFUUHHH FFFUUUPHH FFFUUPHHH and I stopped, saw movement and sure enough a small bear cub was on his/her way up a tree about 50 yards in front of me. I backed out steadily and got back out into the open cutover and sure enough there were 3 little bear cubs sitting up in a tall popple tree. I imagine the sow must have been the one I heard in the grass ahead of me. I actually had my girlfriend with me that day and I was surprised how calm she was about the whole thing. She was only steps behind me when we heard the first bear. I am kind of getting worried that I am spooking too many bears in this area but not exactly sure that any of the incidents could have been avoided.
I got to my bait site and everything had been cleaned up. All bait was gone, I was just really surprised when I checked my camera and no pictures had been taken. I replaced the batteries and I'm now hoping for better results next time. I guess I know theres still bears hitting my bait and there's still bears in the area. Just don't know if theres any shooters still or yet
. Time will tell and hopefully the other bait site produces too. Unfortuneately I can not bait again until July 27th
. Hopefully my time away from baiting does not hurt my chances.