Unread postby Freelance Bowhunter » Mon Jun 14, 2021 1:20 pm
I agree with much of what's been said but I disagree with the make them hungry attitude, I think it's impossible to make them hungry when the woods are loaded with food, including mast crops, berries and other baits. How can you make them hungry when food is everywhere? They come to your bait site and don't find something good to eat, they move on, and you might lose them.
My strategy over the past 20 seasons has gravitated towards rewarding them with something good to eat every time they come to the bait site. No exceptions. Having bait there creates competition which is super important. You want competition, interaction, and multiple bears fighting over the site. If you're doing it right, the bigger bears will come in during the daylight, I have seen it many times. They start out in the dark, and once they get comfortable with the site they start coming in earlier until they are there at a time when you can kill them. I have NEVER EVER seen a case where a bigger bear came in earlier because he was afraid there wouldn't be bait left for him. NEVER. I honestly don't think they can even reason that out.
Consistency is also very important. To get bears coming during the daylight, they need to feel safe and comfortable at the site. Consistency is one of the ways you do that. They want to "pattern" you, so don't throw them any curveballs.
Just my opinions.