Scotsman:
I didn't even know they had bears in Arkansas.

In Alaska, we start baiting shortly before they come out of hibernation.

We take a lot of time to haul massive loads of bait into the stands (several 50 gal. drums worth).

It is a good idea to become friends with your local bakery . See if they will give you all their scraps and stale doughnuts etc.

Another "lure" we use, when starting a bait stand, is to burn a pot of honey. This sends a cloyingly sweet smell out for miles. Or you can burn some bacon.

But you have to have the bulk stuff in place before you start this process.

Check your bait every week until you get a hit, then keep replenishing it on a regular time schedule that the bears can get used to.

When it comes time to hunt, you'll top off the bait barrel(s) one last time, and then sit in your stand or blind, instead of leaving.

This usually brings a high rate of success, and in some areas you can get many different bears a night, hitting the stand (at least in Alaska...don't know about AR).

<img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle> If You Ain't Hunted Alaska, You're Still Just Practicing <img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle>