Opening day question? - Texas Hunting Forum

Posted By: Hunter30

Opening day question? - 09/23/11 01:42 AM

So I have family land in AR and for the 1st time we tried putting out bait barrels for bear. We have one active site that has been hit almost everyday since sept 2nd. I have never hunted bear before and don't know what to expect.

My question is how should I approach the stand on opening morning? My dad thinks he should drive me down before daylight and have me freshen the bait and then climb into my stand before daylight.

I don't know if this is the best option. I was thinking freshen the bait the afternoon before and sneek into my stand before daylight. And bring something I could set out real quick that has a good smell( pancake syrup, honey or mollases)

I am going to be real nervous either way approaching an area with a know bear in the dark with only a bow.

So what would you do????

Posted By: TAT

Re: Opening day question? - 09/23/11 01:49 AM

do u have game cam pics? that would help you pattern when they are coming in. i would be nervous too. i want to shoot a bear.

Posted By: Hunter30

Re: Opening day question? - 09/23/11 02:04 AM

Long story about the trail cam. I thought my dad was doing something wrong when he set it out but the cam quit working. We have tracks, hair, and teeth marks in one of the buckets we are using for bait. Sure wish I had pics.

Posted By: ZombieGun

Re: Opening day question? - 09/23/11 02:05 AM

That's just part of the fun. Its like a surprise. Will I be hunting or will I be hunted? Kinda different hunting large predators. That's gonna suck if you hear something behind you in the woods when its dark and you're walking to your stand. Really crappy part is bears can climb and they are strong.

Posted By: Hunter30

Re: Opening day question? - 09/23/11 02:15 AM

Thanks bigatex. That makes me feel so much better!!

My dad thinks the bear is use to the truck coming down so it would not bother him when he drops me off.

Posted By: ZombieGun

Re: Opening day question? - 09/23/11 02:17 AM

I'm just messin' with you. Most animals don't want anything to do with humans and will avoid you. Good luck on the bear hunt.

Posted By: ctonsmitty

Re: Opening day question? - 09/23/11 02:21 AM

It's gonna really suck, if you get to your stand and the bear is sitting in your chair!

Posted By: Hunter30

Re: Opening day question? - 09/23/11 02:25 AM

I know the bear would run off if I walked up on him but I will be nervous the 1st walk in. I am very much looking forward to this. I don't think I would be any more scared hearing movement in the dark with a bear around as I was when I walked into the middle of the group of pigs.

But if I have nightmares tonight I'm blaming you!!!!

Posted By: TAT

Re: Opening day question? - 09/23/11 02:41 AM

just dont pick up the fluffy puppy by your stand, i say this because its probably not a puppy just a helpless cub thats lost its way.

Posted By: Gigemags05

Re: Opening day question? - 09/23/11 02:11 PM

where are you bear hunting? that sounds awesome.

Posted By: Hunter30

Re: Opening day question? - 09/23/11 02:42 PM

Northern Arkansas near the city of Clinton. There are a good amount of bears in the area and for some reason we just started this year to try and bait one in. I am optimistic. There are not many acorns so hopefully he will continue to hit the bait regular so I can get a shot at him

Posted By: godfather

Re: Opening day question? - 09/23/11 03:08 PM

Bear have a very good nose, dont bother going to the stand if the wind is not right....

Posted By: Western

Re: Opening day question? - 09/23/11 04:42 PM

Bear can smell darn good! They can smell beans in a can

Couple things you can try, I have done.

Dig a hole about 10" diameter and fill with frier grease, the bears will love it, smell it way off and when one gets into it, they will drag a trail of sent for miles that other bears will follow. They also LOVE black licorice and donuts. You can buy a bottle of Licorice from Wally world for cheap.

If a bear is on your station, or close, I don't think you will be able to "sneak" in on him. Like some one else said, time him with a cam. You can also do what I have done, pull an "all nighter", but that really sucked. Mosquitoes eat me up!

Posted By: Hunter30

Re: Opening day question? - 09/23/11 06:23 PM

Dennis

I did use the old fryer grease. I am mainly using oats mixed with pancake syrup for my bait barrel. I have not put out any donuts yet but will this week. Licorice is a good idea I will try it.

I was not meaning that I was going to sneak up on the bear at the bait. I was just talking about coming in to the stand site before day light and wanted to know my best option on the approach. I plan on bringing my lunch and staying as long as I can stand it. I wish I had the option of a trail cam but since mine is not working I will just have to go in blind.

Should I try and freshen the bait that morning in the dark or just wait to do that.

Thank you for your advice!!

Posted By: mws

Re: Opening day question? - 09/23/11 08:23 PM

It should be ok.

Posted By: rsquared

Re: Opening day question? - 09/23/11 08:41 PM

i would suggest you hunt in the afternoon. gives you more time to get in there and not spook him

Posted By: Hunter30

Re: Opening day question? - 09/23/11 08:45 PM

Thanks mws!

I am going To bring a bag of donuts with me so he will hopefully eat those 1st and give me a chance to run!!!

Posted By: Erathkid

Re: Opening day question? - 09/23/11 11:06 PM

Package of depends or any brand of adult diaper,after evacuating into diaper dispose of on the ground.This should bring even more bears in.

Posted By: Dave Davidson

Re: Opening day question? - 09/27/11 02:07 AM

It is my understanding that bears are protected in Texas. Check it out.

Posted By: piney woods hunter

Re: Opening day question? - 09/27/11 03:02 AM

he is hunting in arkansas they have a season i got a bear in minnesota on the 1st of sept up there they do all thier hunting in the evening, though i saw some activey in the mournings it was a guided hunt i think the evening deal is mainly for the guides to freshen all the baits and see which ones were being hit the hardest i would most certaily get a trail cam and pattern that big boy good luck

Posted By: Texsun

Re: Opening day question? - 09/27/11 06:44 PM

Originally Posted By: Hunter30

So I have family land in AR and for the 1st time we tried putting out bait barrels for bear. We have one active site that has been hit almost everyday since sept 2nd. I have never hunted bear before and don't know what to expect.

My question is how should I approach the stand on opening morning? My dad thinks he should drive me down before daylight and have me freshen the bait and then climb into my stand before daylight.

I don't know if this is the best option. I was thinking freshen the bait the afternoon before and sneek into my stand before daylight. And bring something I could set out real quick that has a good smell( pancake syrup, honey or mollases)

I am going to be real nervous either way approaching an area with a know bear in the dark with only a bow.

So what would you do????

Carry a sidearm?