Some strategies from two of the best bear hunters ever, Bernie Barringer and Jesse Koskiniemi. How to bait mature black bears, how to hunt the true giants, is done a lot differently than just shooting any old bear.
I really enjoyed this video. Its especially good to learn from a hunter who is not selling products or a show. I learned that I should probably hunt the line between a cornfield and water to ambush a big bear instead of trying to lure him to a sweet bait.
My dad remembers riding the bus with Jesse growing up, and now my brothers and I watch all of your videos. Hoping for another year with 100% success for our group of four because of what we've learned from your videos!
Bernie Fantastic interview No bears here, I Havnt got to bear hunt yet, but I eat this stuff up. Love it. Keep it coming ole’ Boy. Thanks Bernie Hammer Down
I have never taken a bear in my life. This 2024 fall will be my first season but I know the hunt starts now. I am grateful for this conversation. I learned so much. Thank you.
Next week will be the start to my first bear hunt. I’ve got to say a lot of what I’ve gotten from watching these videos is wow I’m in over my head and you guys talk like it’s so easy. Now I know how non hunters feel when I talk to them about deer hunting 🤣 Thanks for all the information it really highlights changes I need to make and hopefully it’ll help me get a nice bear
The bears also love soy beans; making our agricultural bears some of the most challenging to bait and hunt.. It has changed hunting for me! It’s more challenging than trophy whitetails in my book.. I’m actually west of Jesse
Great perspective from another top notch bear hunter who experiences different baiting setups and theories. This could make for a good series of videos. Learned some good perspectives. Good luck and as always Happy Hunting.
It would make a good series except there just aren't that many top notch people who would be good to chat with! I have another friend that I talk with, and he said there's no way he's going to talk about his methods on video because he hunts all public land.
@@BowhuntingRoad well I’m glad you’ve been so open. This was my 3rd year of baiting. Been following you since day one of my baiting adventures. I know I’ve tried various techniques you’ve talked about with success and failures both spring and fall. The mountains of southern central Wyoming are a far cry different environment than that of Minnesota but bear are bears and they share the same lifestyle of eating, sleeping, eating more and come spring some loving. I was blessed to take my second bear this fall and if it wasn’t for your videos and book I’d have overlooked a lot of little things that are key to a successful bait site. It’s also allowed me have friends hunt my sites and harvest bears as well. Thank you for the time and energy you’ve put forth in your videos. Good luck and as always Happy Hunting.
Very informative discussion, actually explained some of the things I have experienced but did not understand. I also can't Waite to look at the trail cam pictures. Keep up the good work.
I like to be in the heavier cover where the bears will feel comfortable approaching the bait during the daylight. However, there is some advantage to the scent dispersion of being a little more uphill so the evening thermals take the smell of the bait and lures downhill. Each situation is different. In many western states you have to stay a certain distance away from creeks.
Thanks for the video. This fall will be my 4th DIY bear hunt and first time baiting in farm country. I learned a few tricks in this video that hopefully will produce on a big boy that hangs in the area.
Plenty of wolves around here, but had wolves even check out my baits for the first time this fall. They are typically wary of human presence, because they are hunted and trapped. Wolves didn't eat any of the bait that I could tell. They visited a few days after I killed a grizzly on the bait that dropped about 10 yards from my barrel.
I would encourage you guys, your suppliers, and everyone to not use ANY chocolate in your bates. Biologist have proven that even small amounts of chocolate can make the bears sick, and if enough is consumed, it can kill the bear. You want healthy bears not sick bears. I have successfully hunted grizzly bear and black bear but I still learned some good new information in this video. Thank you!
Watching this from Washington- just tagged out on two smaller bears this year. Coming from a state where we can’t bait, are the big bears going to be found in the same areas each year like you described in the video? Thank you!
@@BowhuntingRoadI figured- but maybe there are berry rich areas that have a high density of big bears. I tend to look at berries as areas of natural “bait”.
I have been waiting to draw a tag for over 6 years now. When i do draw, i will be very picky on what bear i will shoot. I'm not waiting that many years to shoot an average bear. I love that you emphasize that people need to be more selective.
Great video Bernie, There we’re a lot of great takeaways that you and Jesse touched on, for beginners and seasoned Bear hunters. Something came to mind when you had mentioned your skulls and how you haven’t scored them with Boone and Crockett or Pope and Young. I’m not sure why you haven’t, but respectfully speaking it’s almost a disservice to the species by not honoring those genetically superior animals, that show the health of a given species geographically. The vast records of both clubs have contributed significantly to the North American Model of Wildlife Management. They have been used by wildlife agencies, state agencies and other hunting groups to aid in management decisions and establish seasons. Most importantly, these records ensure we preserve our culture and our bowhunting heritage and sustainable wildlife populations for generations to come. Your also leaving your family heritage in these record books for your grandkids to enjoy in the future. If you decide to score your skulls with Pope and Young and do so by December 31st. 2022, they will be be in the next book, which will be released in the spring of 2023, which happens every six years. Sorry for the long drawn out message, but I’m hoping you see the significance when scoring your bears. Love the videos, keep up the great work!
Appreciate the comments. I have long been a big supporter of B&C and P&Y I know they are much more than just record-keeping organizations. If I ever get one that's in the top 100 or so, I would definitely have it recognized.
Do you dress out the bear near the bait site? Will that ruin that site for hunting at it again? Does bear bait hunting ruin that site for deer hunting? Are apples good for bear baiting?
This was amazing. So much great information. I can’t imagine finding all this in one place on one video. What do you guys think is the right time to start scouting an area to bait? I know they move around to get at the different available food sources at different times of the year but I’m as green as they come in terms of baiting and I have no idea. Going to NH this coming season to bait for the first time. Thanks 👍👍
I thought it was good to let the bear hear you dump the bait. In fact we would knock the empty bucket against trees like beating a drum to let the bear know that we baited. Is this wrong. Are we better off being quieter?
That can work with small uneducated bears but the mature ones aren't interested in that. Plus, if you are baiting properly, you're not changing anything by banging the bucket unless you ran out of bait, which is a huge mistake.
Great video.. Just my experience, i have used a brand new attractent on the day on hunt and bear just showed up in like 20min. Maybe he just got curious..
Hey Bernie just out of curiosity, could you still find that spooky dark spot with bear beds that you found tracking that bear? It just sounds like an interesting spot to see on camera.
Great question. It really has more to do with human activity around the bait site area. I have had bears killed at a bait, and we got the dead bear out of there with a minimum of disturbance and more bears came back in the next day. But if there is a lot of human scent, noise, etc. It can slow things down for a few days until things settle back down.
Wow that's something I had never really considered. Of course there's a difference between fresh fruit and canned fruit. I suppose it depends on what fruit it is. Seems like it would be attractive to the bears if it doesn't go bad.
I've lost 2 antennas so far this year. I'm going to put nails in a board long enough to guard the antenna so they can't bite on it. They seem to find it right away even though I'm very careful with how I handle my cameras. Theyre in bear boxes but they get the antenna every time
@BowhuntingRoad ya I like the challenge of trying to out smart these bears. I've had so many bears on my bait that going in alones quite the rush. It's very thick brush. I have sows with cubs both black bears and grizzlies. Always on edge when going in to check cameras and restock the bait.
That it does especially when they have cubs. There's games trails from every direction to my bait and you never know which way they're gonna come from. I usually go in with the chainsaw running to detour anything around. But going in to hunt I rise the boat right up to the back the stand tie off and get in the stand.
@@BowhuntingRoad second year at this particular site. It was the same last year. I use a barrel. They are benefitting from the bears and coons pulling bait out of the barrel.
Just like you wouldn't have a chance with bait where we hunt because you wouldn't have a clue what to do. And by the way, I have killed bears in your neck of the woods.
I enjoy all your videos but to say there is you two and maybe 4-6 other guys at the pinnacle of bear hunting in MN is absurd. There are so many people that aren’t on the internet or known that are killing huge bears every year especially older guys. My grandpa is one of those along with his brother. They have no internet or social media interaction but can consistently kill 400-500 pound bears every single season.
Okay that's 4. I know of two others, that makes 6. Maybe you are exaggerating, maybe not. I kinda think so since they are your grandfather and great uncle. But even if they are killing 400-500 pound bears every single year (in the no-quota) then good for them, but they are RARE indeed.
@@BowhuntingRoad Rare indeed. When you’ve been doing it for 50 years like they have in the same area it makes it a little easier to consistently kill big ones. It also helps that it’s in an area where not many people bear hunt so the bait site competition is not there other than natural forage. Ive been bear hunting for 12 years now and I’d be stretching it if I said I had a tenth of the knowledge they have combined but the learning process is what makes it fun for me. My first bear was a 550 pounder( can thank my dad for a lot of that) and I have yet to come close to that again. Last year was a 300 pounder which is a good bear in my opinion but this year I’m running more baits than I ever have and am going to hold out for a tank. Keep up the great videos I enjoy watching them when they come out! Good Luck this season!
20 or 30 yards from the bait ? Rifle hunting? That’s probably not the best advice. I can shoot my rifle perfect at a 100 yards . So why be right on top of them ?
never had a bear attack my camera but they will check them out.chimpmunks or squirrels will get to my cameras and eat at the plastic so I glued a layer of jb weld on top of the chew marks and they even chewed at that but shortly stopped after that..maybe it didn't agree with him lol
Such a joy listening to some of the specifics of your hunting techniques. What a different world you guys are in. I’m beyond blessed here in Alaska as far as ample public land to hunt a lot less competition in general. Thanks again!
Bears messing with trail cams all together..... I seemed to notice when i was smearing baits and lures on trees at bait site they checked every tree around the site..... When i stopped applying bait and scent to trees they left my cameras alone all together
