making bear bait!!

[chris lavoie]

I found this site while I was playing on the computer and popping popcorn for bear bait for the upcoming fall hunt. I am from Ontario and haven't hunted with dogs for years!! My first bear hunt was with dogs in 1975 when Gene White, owner of white hollow plotts rented a cabin off us. He was in the area scouting for the Fall season. One day I asked him if I could go with him, I was only 12 or 13. He said yes so I skipped school and jumped in his vehicle for a bear hunt. Going on a hunt with Genes group was quite a learning experience!! I think I learned more in the bush than in any class room. A guy by the name of Bobby Joe Houston from Florida was also here with his Plotts. I found hunting with dogs the MOST REWARDING method of bear hunting. My dad owned the camp in 1974 and I took over from him in 1998, all because of these two Plott Hound hunters we got into bear hunting. I now only bait hunt because of our bear management areas. But I sure miss the Plotts.

[mefishme1234]

Nice I told a buddy of mine about the popcorn bait trick. Here in Maine we get the old pastries, donuts from the bakeries but the are closeing. I suggested poping a whole bunch and just putting a 4 inch whole on the side of the barrel so the bears gotta roll it around. I new into the big hounds and I got 3 already. 1 English and 2 plots..

[chris lavoie]

In the early 80's we had a hard time keeping up with bait. When we hired Gene White for the 83 season, he told us about an outfitter from Utah who only used popcorn. He said the outfitter would use old tires filled with candied popcorn. He tied the tires to something to keep the bear from stealing the tire. Also the tire prevented rain damage. He said the bear had to struggle to get the bait out. We use 20 bags of kernels each season, at 55 pounds per bag. I have 2 commercial poppers going at a time.