As for the meat I turned it all into burger. Not bad for a spring bear but fall is better. So what doe you have for special equipment for baiting. When can you start baiting and are there any restrictions to baiting in MN.
Here's what I used for the spring bear hunt just to the north of you. 2 barrels, 250lbs rolled corn(with mollasses), 250lbs of oats and 70 gal of used cooking grease. Of the 2 barrels one had a removable lid and the other did not. In the barrel with the removable lid drill 4 small holes 1.5-2"fill with bait, grease and put the lid back on. The second barrel had was chained to a tree, had a large opening at the top and 2 small holes at the bottom. This provided easy access to food where as the previous barrel made sure there was alwasy bait at the sight b/c it is more difficult for the bear to get. Now in the barrel with the big hole...... fill the hole with logs. This is a strike indicator. When you walk into the bait to check and the log is moved then you have a bear hitting it. It took awhile for my bait to get hit.......... be patient. You might want to try a stink bait to get them to the bait. A beaver carcass, some fishor rotten chicken should work. Although your bait with all the grease warming in the sun should get to stink pretty quick. Set up your stand 20yds off to the side
Make sure to set the bait in a secluded spot or the bears will be in later than you want to be shooting or can legally be shooting.