The biggest bears I know of being killed, have been killed over baits that weren't set until the end of may. This would equate to a deer or elks rut time. The big dogs will be raoming then. If you can get into an area now, my guess is that you will be dealing with unwanted traffic come season. Most of the areas that I like to bait are under heavy snows. The farther you get off the beaten path, the less likely you are of having your bait disturbed and worse yet, hound hunters using your bait to strike off of!!!