Drew my first Michigan bear tag!!!!! Need some tips please.

Arwin · June 29, 2009, 03:56:00 PM

I've been wanting to hunt black bear since 10 years of age. 22 years later and I'm finally going. Any tips for public land bears??

Rick Butler · June 29, 2009, 05:47:00 PM

Arwin, what unit and what period did you draw?

Arwin · June 29, 2009, 06:38:00 PM

Red Oak, it has two periods. Sept 18-26/ Oct 2-8.

todd smith · July 03, 2009, 06:58:00 PM

Arwin,

Congratulations! I received a preference point this year...

I hunted Canada twice then finally the U.P. and got a bear there. I don't even remember the unit, but it was the only bear seen after an entire week of hunting by five guys and I was the only one with a bow.

We baited of course, but like I said, mine was the only bear seen.

That being said, patience is the only tip I have for you.

Look out for the bear hounds too. They ran right through our camp one morning.

Have fun! Michigan's upper peninsula is the closest thing I've found to my old home of Alaska since leaving back in '87.

Get your broadheads sharp and shoot straight! Oh, and I shot mine from a Double Bull blind. That was especially cool! todd

Bonebuster · July 04, 2009, 07:07:00 PM

Once an established bait is getting hit, keep it baited. Try not to let much time pass where there is no food available.

Try to find areas that have the least amount of trails...fewer trails less disturbance. Small game hunters, and bear dogs are a major downfall to baiting.

I believe I read this year opening day will be dedicated to hunting WITHOUT dogs. This is a great thing. I have never drawn a tag, but I have baited for friends here in Red Oak several times, and dogs running the bears that were hitting the baits was the worst possible thing that could happen. Unfortunately, I even had hunters lead their dogs to my active baits to release them on fresh scent. That was the worst, and I know several very good areas that I completely stay away from because of this reason. (I assume they found the baits while running bears during the training season)

My favorite areas to bait are north of the town of Glennie. Hoist Lakes foot travel area. Lots of bears, lots of area closed to vehicles, and I have never seen a bear dog in the interior of it.
It IS work, but it IS worth it.

Good luck!!!

Arwin · July 06, 2009, 09:54:00 PM

Thanks for the tips! I soooo cannot wait to go. Been shooting more than ever lately, I don't wanna miss,LOL!

Stringfollow · July 06, 2009, 10:25:00 PM

how many points did you have before you got your Red Oak permit?

Todweelz · July 11, 2009, 04:19:00 PM

Arwin, congrats thats a tough permit to get! Only thing I can suggest is keep your stand height lower than your deer stands it will give you a better shot angle [ 8-10 feet], if you need a bucket of deep fryer grease let me know I can help you with that, friends have used around there baits to create scent trails to and from there baits. Todd

Arwin · July 12, 2009, 12:59:00 AM

Stringfollow: I took me 5 points to draw there. Seemed like a LONG wait,LOL!

Todd,
Thanks much, I just might have to take you up on the grease offer.
I think I might go on the ground. Been hearing some guys say you want a double lung on bears cause they can get away with a single lung hit.
I will keep it low for sure if I do sit in a stand. Now I can't decide between a climber or hang on.

DRR324 · July 13, 2009, 09:55:00 AM

Congrats on the tag Arwin. I drew my first permit as well this year. Going to be hunting SE of Rapid River in the UP. Keep the sites baited early in the day- conditions them to get there a bit earlier, and keep the stand lower than usual.
I'm looking forward to seeing my first one while hunting, just concerned with shooting a small one.
Been looking at a lot of pictures on the net lately, trying to get a feel for size judging.

Todweelz · July 13, 2009, 03:49:00 PM

Arwin-DRR324, I've hunted Quebec the last two years I don't know as much as alot of guys on this site, for judging size we used 55 gallon drums if the bear is 2 1/2 rings high it pretty good sized. If you can mark a couple of trees [ a simple string around tree would work] near your bait around 30" high it will help you judge the size of the bear.

Arwin · July 19, 2009, 12:18:00 PM

Got 3 spots set up yesterday. Found some pad prints on the ground and that got me going!

doctari · July 20, 2009, 09:17:00 PM

Good luck Arwin, I did not draw so I bought a fall Montana tag for Black bear. I will be doing a spot and stalk the end of September.

Arwin · July 22, 2009, 07:06:00 PM

I wish spot and stalk was possible here! I'm not really a fan of baiting but thats pretty much the only way to get a bear here. I would love to do a float hunt down a river for bears.

stickbow2442 · July 23, 2009, 06:56:00 AM

Congrats. I just now this year decided I want to try bear hunting. So I will start putting in next year for one.

Hope to see you at the GLLI.

Rick P · July 25, 2009, 08:30:00 PM

Didn't even know Michigan had gone to a draw system for Bear. That explains why Mom and Dad have had so many in there yard lately and not dropped one, that would have never happened when I lived there! BTW Blackies tend to be bigger in MI than AK, no Browns to run them off the best food.