Thank you for the tip. I’ll be a lot more careful when I post pictures and videos. Don’t want someone ruining a spot! That’s actually one of the reasons why I decided to find multiple spots, in case one doesn’t work out for that reason.

Anyway, I’m pretty sure I heard a bear there. So it may be a good spot, it may not be. We’ll see what happens.

Thanks again for all the help, I really appreciate it.

Jared

Well, I made a mistake. I just took a look at the Idaho big game regulations, and it turns out you need to be 200 yards away from any established roadway.

The spot I found was 100 yards. Glad I checked it out! Looks like the spot won’t work out after all. I’m gonna find a new one. This time, I won’t post pictures.

posting pic;s is OK, just don't provide too much info on WHERE things are

and yes a 100 yards is pretty darn close
many do hunt that way and all, but I never been a guy that liked hearing vehicles while sitting on a stand!

but sure makes for easier recovery's HAHA!

like I also said in the beginning, have to read rule books as there can be a LOT of rules to meet when baiting, many states have very strict rules on even WHAT can be used as bait, so make extra care in knowing the exact rules

and some pl;aces even require notice of WHERE your baiting, so no one walks into a baited area NOT knowing so for THERE safety!

its not undo able to follow rules and all, just takes extra effort to learn all the rules and remember they can change from yr to yr and even be specific to one region over another, no one size fits all like deals in most states!
and they tend to vary from state to state!

Well, I’m being totally serious this time, and this is not depression, it’s another problem. I have to cancel the bear hunt. Here’s what happened. I went out to scout out a spot, ran into another bear Hunter who gave me advice on a spot. After taking a look around, I went home. When I got home, I learned that something happened, (I can’t say what) that affects my family financially. As a result, I can no longer afford the right type of rifle I was going to buy. I’m stuck with my Winchester 243. That’s not enough to take down a bear, as one of you guys said. I want it to be a clean kill, for safety, and be humane. In a nutshell, due to finances, and things out of my control, I have to cancel the bear hunt. HOWEVER, That won’t stop me from getting experience and going out and being in nature! It’ll give me plenty of time to study bears, and learn where a good spot is. And no, I have plenty of friends, but none of them have the right type of rifle. Most likely, I can try next spring. It all depends on when I get the rifle.

well sorry to hear of the new hardships, they can happen to any of us,

I will add this, a .243 can surely kill a bear if you still wanted to use what you have, just pick a good heavy solid bullet known to work on bears and well, since hunting over bait, odds are you will have plenty of time to make a GOOD shot

JUST SAYING, not telling you to use it if your not confident in it!

and again, NO one says you have to SHOOT anything when hunting, you can always go out and enjoy the time a field and use it as gaining experience!
I hunted bears for years knowing I wouldn;t shoot one(and I had many times had bears in front of me and let them walk)
got a lot of clack from hunting buddies for doing this, but I just had NO intention or desire at the time to shoot one, but I did highly enjoy being out there and helping them get there bears!
and I know many of my friends over the yrs have given me credit for getting them on bears, and cannot tell you how many I helped get out of the woods once dead too(that part I DON"T miss HAHA)

so, just cause you don't have the RIGHT gun, doesn't mean you cannot still enjoy the hunt, and time a field and gaining e experience, as IN hunting season, animals patterns change and get altered as pressure starts up, so being OUT there IN hunting season, gets you experience on seeing WHO hunts where, and what and how the animals react to the NEW presence of hunters, and this can ONLY be learned while being out there IN hunting season
JUST again, be safe, and know the laws, MOST states require a LEGAL hunting lic and TAG if your carrying a weapon or HELPING others par take in the hunt
I hope your issue get's resolves sooner than later I can all too well understand things like this that pop up and add strain to a already stressful life

I will also add, that as hunting season gets closer, most ALL large hunting stores start to run some GREAT specials and sales on hunting rifles, many can be had with a scope and all for about 30 bucks in many GREAT larger calibers than your .243, if that is what you want! JUST saying, NOT telling to spend past your budget!!

thank you. I really appreciate it. To be honest, I don’t think I can spend past my budget. I think my best option for me and my family right now is to wait for spring season in 2021. By then, I’ll have the right equipment. Not that I’m disregarding what you’re saying, it’s just that I don’t think I have confidence or skill to place a shot just right with a 243 on a bear.

I might still get out and try it, though. As you said, since I’m baiting, I have plenty of time to place a good shot. Let me think for a couple of days, I’ll get back to you.

mrbb I have a question for you. How many yards out should the bear be when I take it? Would it be wise to take it at about 100 yards? That way, if I miss the heart, The bear will not come after me and kill me?

i’ve been thinking about what you said, and this is the only thing stopping me from the bear hunt now. I can afford everything except the proper rifle.

Jared

a 100 yards is for sure do able, but honestly, maybe less would be better, 50-75? this makes being more accurate easier on you, and allows for better judgement on size of bear, placing items near bait that help judge size is also a great idea

as for a bear attacking you after being shot, in my honest opinion, that is a super low deal, most all animals that get SHOT< then to do there best to get as far away from what just happened, over looking for what did ?? to them,
the more dangerous part of bear hunting IMO< is actually walking in on a bear AT a bait site that doesn't want to share or run off, or, like MOST all attacks from bear, they happen hen YOU scare THEM, meaning you got too close before they KNEW you were there (all the more so when its a sow with cubs) and, they have one of two options,
being flee or FIGHT
99.9% of the time they will flee
as again, bear attacks are honestly extremely RARE in the big picture of things!
bears just happen to be big strong powerful animals, but they do NOT look at humans as food 993.9% of the time and there NOT very aggressive animals by nature, there rather passive animals just wanting to eat sleep and survive, like every other animals in the forest, , there size , is what tends to scare HUMANS, and its just FEAR mostly for NO real reason
RESPECT, yes, you should respect ANY large animal, and like most things in life, Knowledge is power, more you know about any animal, better you can stay safe from them,!

SO< back to question, baiting, is MOST times done closer than a 100 yards, heck I would gather MOST is done under 50 yards

But what ever range you pick, just make sure the rifle is sighted in for that range, and pick a bullet that can handle impacts at THAT range the best!

NOT all bullets are made the a same way or designed to work at same ranges, for what you wish to do, I would be looking at heavier heads with more solid designs
but think about this, TONS of folks kill bears with bow's and arrows that have a fraction of the energy of a .243
the real name of the game is killing anything FAST< is hitting a major vital
lots of guys LIKE BIG calibers, it makes them feel SAFER or?? but most times there NOT needed, a BAD ghit from a small caliber or a BIG caliber, is still a BAD hit and can lead to a lost animal

I have shot Deer with BIG calibers and small, and sen many RUN after being hit with HUGE caliber rifles(including 50 BMG (750 grain heads, and with close to 14,000 FT LBS of energy and RUN off)
and seen small calibers drop same sized deer in there tracks, its always IMO, a combination of things, bullet placement, and well some times condition of the animal it self,. I swear some, animals just can run dead on there feet, but a good hit always ends ina dead animal
NOT so with poor hits, seen many make it days, weeks, months and even YRS after being hit poorly!
and have butchered and been working at butcher shops enough to see MANY animals with several hits in them where bullets and broadheads were grown over and animal was seemingly healthy before being finally killed with a well placed bullet/broadhead!(or a few that were road kills by vehicles and butchered up)

ain;t NO magic bullet or broadhead, no matter what hype or someone else tells you!

Thanks. I appreciate all the help. That eased a LOT of my fears.

So, I’ll take your advice and sight my scope for 50 to 75.

Ill also practice my aim at the gun range.

Jared

Good news. We made a miscalculation on finances, so the bear hunt is still on!

I went out and scouted out for some spots, I found two.

I picked up some ammunition to sight in my scope, the right type for bear. I’ll be using the same ammunition to hunt bear also. On the 25th, I am picking up my tag and baiting permit. On the 30th, the hunt is on.

mrbb Do you have a grain recommendation for ammo? A guy I talk to said to use at least 100 grain with the type of gun I have.

I think any of these would be a decent choice for you in .243, just try them and see what shoots the best in YOUR rifle at the distance you plan to shoot at!
* Hornady Lite Mag 100-gr. BTSP Interlock
* Federal Premium 100-gr. Partitions
* Remington Core Lokt Ultra Bonded 100-gr
100gr Nosler Partition

Well, 10 days until the season opens. Needless to say, I’m excited. I found a good spot that has a lot of berries growing. I also got a book about bear hunting that I’m reading. I’ve gotten a lot of great advice on this thread, and I want to thank everyone. I’m getting my tag, the baiting permit, the bait, and the ammo on the 25th. I’m sighting in my scope sometime between the 25th and 29th. On the 30th, I will set up the bait site, and it begins.

well best of luck to you,. be safe and have fun!

Good luck and let us know how things work out. You have an adventure ahead of you. :happy0001:

Thanks. I’m actually at the spot right now seeing if I can spot and get a Photo of a Bear.

Sounds like fun. Post pictures if you get them.

Last night, I’m pretty sure I saw a bear. I was in the area, and I was hunkered down, and I started hearing some heavy movement. Then, I saw the bushes about 60 yards in front of me moving. I saw something big, but I couldn’t make out what it was. Either a really big deer, or a bear. I’m not sure which.

Sounds like you're having fun already. :D

Hey guys, I need an opinion. Is it better to use a bait site and wait for a bear to come, or use a predator call, and call whenever you hear bear movement?

Or both?

Do not call. Bear can be called in- but you're not ready for that.

Use a bait sight, and binoculars. If the bait isn't working don't be afraid to put some miles on your boots while glassing. If you've found berries, and thick stuff, there will be bears there.

If I were you I would probably ditch the bait entirely, find somewhere that you can glass from and hunt them that way. But baiting may be a good option for you anyway- just not how I personally would do it.

Once you find a bear feeding, plan your stock then execute your plan.

Having fun already I think. Glad you decided to go after them.

-Jake

IMO< bait and NO calling at all
calling in a bear is rare,,and there very smart and will circle down wind and more often than not wind you, while there trying to find the source of the calling!

when hunting over bait, Nothing else should really be needed minus you stay down wind and being as scent free as possible and same goes for your in and out of site and adding bait!
I also wouldn't be spending a lot of time in the bait area prior to hunting it, your only going to educate the bears that are in the area to your movements and could make them come in only in the dark!

if you wish to see what is hitting the bait, place a trail cam and check SD card after adding more bait when ever that is!

when baiting, you really want to get in and out as fast and leave as little scent as possible and spend as little time there as you can
a bears nose is just incredible in what they can smell!

so your really trying to beat there nose by luring them to food and lowering there senses to avoiding man made food sources
so the elss your there the better!

I agree with Jake and mrbb. Hunting over bait will give you time to look the bear over a little and have him focused on something else besides you and your call. With bait, you get to see if more than one bear comes into your bait. Since it's your first bear, you'll want a little extra time to make all those decisions for the first time. You're going to have a lot of fun.

Thank you both. I will not call then.

I’m also not gonna go to the bait site again until I am ready to set up on the 30th. I don’t want to educate the bears like you said.

So, I went to Cabela’s and picked up the ammo that @mrbb recommended. While I was there, I looked at the taxidermied trophies. I saw a stuffed black bear When I was at the spot, and I said I thought I saw a bear, I realize now that I was correct. The leg profile, the shape, matched what I saw through some bushes.

I saw a black bear.

Looks like the spot is going to work!

That's exciting.

Wait for a good shot, you do not want to rush and risk injuring the animal. I suggest googling bear anatomy and shot diagrams for bear. As well as check out you tube for shot placement. Their vitals are further back and more centered than I would have expected.

-Jake

I completely understand, and I already planned on it. Nothing worse than an injured bear!

I just finished sighting in the scope. Now I need to get my equipment and tag on the 25th.

I need some advice on something, and this may be just my anxiety and depression talking, but I would still like some advice. I am very scared that if I go out and set up my bait site in one week, that other hunters will show up, and try to claim the spot for their own and in a way kick me off of it.

OK, this may just be my anxiety and depression talking, I’ll admit that, but what do I do if this situation does come up?

first off I have no clue what the legal rules are in your state or area
but many states that allow baiting require you to post info about where YOU are placing bait, so no one unknowingly walking into a bait area and risks a conflict with a bear!

if your area/state has this, I would gather that also then means you are some what staking claim to that bait site
and THEN, if someone else showed up, you would be able to get the game dept. involved as you would have info showing you r BAIT SITE! over the other person(well unless they report same location too?)

if there is no signage needed to run a bait site and its on public ground, well, they the recourse of actions are not many is any, its a first come first serve basis, MOST HONEST and ETHICAL hunters will NOT sit on someone else's hunting spot IF they know its your's and well(wasn't there spot before you found it,a s that would make it well you in there spot HAHA!)

Typically when making a hunting spot or bait site, the name of the game is having it some place FEW if anyone would ever know its there, thus lowering the odds of anyone being there, this applies to any hunting spot and NOT justa bait site

but when your BAITING< again, you really want a spot where few humans are ever going to be, to keep the risks of a NON hunter or hunter, away from walking into a bear feeding and possibly adding risks to those NOT knowing bait is in the area, attracting bears, as again, females with cubs, and or younger bears ,and even larger bears can get upset when humans invade there meal time, or when a hum,an gets too CLOSE before a bear KNOW"S there there,,
this is why m,any experts will tell you to make noise when in bear area, to give a bear time to KNOW your there and leave before YOU get too close for there comfort

BUT when hunting your TRYING to be scent free and get as close as you can<
but if you have bait in an area hikers or walkers or humans just use often, you can be creating a \problem for those NOT knowing your bait is there!

so, back to what happens if a fellow hunter FINDS your bait and wishes to hunt over it??
it all comes down to what the rules and laws are in YOUR state, I would suggest talking to your local game dept and ask them?

other wise, like above, pick your bait sites in area's where few folks go, and or MIGHT find it!

Idaho is a BIG state, has to have lots of places more remote and less traffic from humans, to be able to find a spot ALL to yourself!, or I would think so!

keep in mind MANY hunters are LAZY, they hunt close to roads and in EASY to access places, when trying to avoid other hunters, MOST folks tend to hunt places harder to get into ,or farther back, this lowers the odds GREATLY on seeing other hunters , from MY experience

Thank you. Truth be told, I was having an anxiety attack when I thought about that and posted it. Thanks for all that info. I am calm now. Tomorrow, I’m going to call Idaho Fish and game, because I couldn’t find it in the regulations. I may have missed it, but they’ll know better than anybody.

Besides, even if another Hunter does show up, I’m a very nice guy. I’m sure if I handle it nicely, they’ll understand and I can maybe work up a compromise. You actually brought up a very good point. My spot is about 200 yards away from the road, so I guess I was being lazy. Do you think I should find a spot a little bit deeper?

I don’t mind walking a long distance, as long as I don’t get lost. I had that happened to a friend once. She got lost for a full day, and search and rescue finally found her after 24 hours.

Then again, I have seen bears at the spot, and it is at the legal distance I can bait from the road.

tough decision.

Again, thanks for all the advice. If you’d like, I can shoot you the link of the bear seasons and rules for Idaho, just in case you’re interested in looking at them.

Jared

https://idfg.idaho.gov/sites/default...black-bear.pdf

here are the regulations for my state, in case anyone is interested.

I wasn't saying being close to road makes anyone lazy, but there are many lazy hunters that will only go so far(or have health or age issue's) if a spot is secluded enough and where few folks go, then close to a road MIGHT be ok
I cannot say one way or the other not knowing all the details on things

but what I do know is they have done MANY many studies over the yrs and found that MOST hunters don;'t walk far from there vehicle,
thus, that means, any spot close to a road that has good food, cover, safety and so on, is more likely to have someone walk in on you!
as to a spot farther off the road would be of same conditions!

some times easy access spots can be over looked and well some times they can be over run with hunters
this is something more seasoned and experienced hunters learn fast?
and as such, most when scouting an area, also look for sign of other hunters , and not just sign of the game there after!

signs from hunters can be, walking paths, , markers to stand sites, trash, markings on tree;'s from using climbing stands and the likes,

based on a quick read of the rules, your BAIT SITE must be legally tagged with your info, thus, that would mean, if anyone came on it, they could tell who's bait site it is, and well, odds are NO other hunter would be using it, unless a outfitter set them up on it!
or at least if someone DID show up, you could maybe get help from the state game dept!

again, when baiting its YOUR job to know all the rules and details on things,(like what you need to carry on you, post near site and everything else) failure to know them can result in you getting a fine if caught doing ANYTHING wrong!
I cannot tell you what all in needed in your STATE, YOUR area/zone or management area
too many rules vary from state to state , area to area

but most all have VERY specific rules , on what TYPE of foods can be used, how they have to be set up, how an area has to be marked or NOT, and after every season or time frame, thing HAVE to be removed 100% from the site

this s why I stated this in the very beginning, the time to learn all the details is WAY before you start to bait or time to hunt, !
your season didn;t start yet, so your still good, but if I was you , I would be making sure I had a 100% full understanding of ALL you need to comply with
be it in emails (which are nice as then you have PROOF of what you were told)
as small details can bite you in the butt here if your site is not up to spec and you don;'t have it all done correctly!!

NOT trying so dampen anything on you, just don't want you top get in any trouble,
wardens are normally VERY helpful as they DON"T really want top see you do wrong, better to ask and Know, than guess and be wrong!
info on a forum is a starting point, but I would never take words on a screen on a forum, over words from a WARDEN in YOUR AREA/STATE!
as if you get BAD advice online in a forum, its still your butt on the line,
where asking a warden, you get REAL accurate info! and again, if you get things in answers in emails,. you have PROOF what THEY told you!

I just read through all that, thank you. I appreciate you taking the time to help me. Yes, I have been studying all the regulations. I’ve been studying it for some time. Just so you know. I’m the type of person who does not want to get in trouble. I try to follow the rules the best I can. Even if there’s no one around, I follow the rules. Why? That’s the right thing to do.

Jared

I just spoke with a fish and game officer. He says that the spots are first come first serve, however, that cannot stop another Hunter from hunting over your bait site. Yes, it is common courtesy that you shouldn’t hunt over another persons bait site, but there’s no regulation to enforce it.

I guess if I run into other hunters, i’ll have to compromise and work with them.

I got my Bait Barrel today! Picking up my tag tomorrow.

staying busy,
and again
, best of luck to you

I got my bear tag and baiting permit. Now I just need to modify the barrel I got to be a bear bait container.

Sounds like you're having a lot of fun. As it should be. Best of luck in your hunt.