The poles are used to help cover some of the bait and slow down the eating process, also , the bears like the creosote in the poles, there is a camp next to ours that bears have just emaciated to get the creosote out of the poles. Also Anise makes a good attractant, but when I went my Maine Guide said " dont use it as a cover scent on your body as a bear would attack you for the anise" and could kill you , I even took a milk jug with a cap to urinate in and dont even blink an eye.....