First Ever Fall bear hunt

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Originally Posted by huntnmachine

firedeptit......curious as to what bow/xbow you are using and what broadhead

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I have a Bowtech Revolt with Easton Powerflight 400 with a Grim Reaper mechanical 100gr

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Originally Posted by smitty55

I would close all those hole except for the top one, at least after they've found it. The bears will still go for it but your bait will last way longer and keep critters around as they will have to work harder at it. Also be careful with round holes, depending on the size small paws and arms can get stuck in there. Square holes will prevent that from happening.
Good luck

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The biggest hole is 1 1/8 “ and the smallest is 5/8”. There is only two of the larger holes.

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Originally Posted by firedeptlt

The biggest hole is 1 1/8 “ and the smallest is 5/8”. There is only two of the larger holes.

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With a 5/8" hole you might not get anything coming out, two pieces of dog food would clog it up. I was using a mix of popcorn dog food and whole corn and this hole would clog up at times even, it's close to 3".
https://i.imgur.com/ZAQX2Ei.jpg

As you can see in this pic nothing is falling out until mom rolls it around more. Then the cubs figured it out.
https://i.imgur.com/liZ07bs.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/eeROXky.jpg

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Originally Posted by firedeptlt

Hello everybody

Getting close to that time of year.
This will be my first every fall black bear hunt ( archery only ). I won’t be able to access my planned hunting spot until September. Any pointers would be appreciated.
Ive excluded my first ever attempt at a trickle barrel. I put in numerous holes ranging in size from 5/8” to 1 1/8 “. There is 9 total with 7 being of the smaller variety. Any constructive criticism is welcome.

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Never baited them myself as we always use a guide who does that. But from limited experience what you’re doing looks & sounds good. As others have said put up your stand asap.

You’re going to have fun. Nothing gets your adrenaline going like seeing a bear for the first (and second) time. I found it to be much more intense than seeing a big buck up close.

Also, you won’t hear them approach like deer. The pads on their feet are so thick it really deadens the sound. If you hear a loud stick crack out of nowhere (no other sounds like rustling leaves, etc.) it’s either a bear or a sneaky human. Both times I shot mine they just appeared out of nowhere like ghosts. First one ‘teleported’ because I heard a crack down the ridge behind me and then looked down and he was right under my tree about 60 seconds later.

Also really hone your senses and sit still during that last magic hour of daylight. Both of mine emerged right as dusk started to fall. About 50 minutes before end of legal shooting light. The blue jays and squirrels eating the bits of corn from around the drum all took off suddenly a few minutes before the bear emerged. Like they could sense it approaching. Even with everything so perfectly still you do not hear them.

Last tip — they will often approach the barrel, stop, look around, and circle around it. Don’t rush the shot as unless they bust you, they will eventually go to the barrel. Last one I shot made it to the barrel and hobbled away, then came back.

Enjoy!

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Originally Posted by firedeptlt

Any constructive criticism is welcome.

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Looks good! Like the paint job too. Not the typical bright blue barrel you can see from a google earth satellite. lol.
My only advice would be to avoid putting any holes in the bottom half of the barrel. If it takes a week or 2 for a bear to find it and knock it over, then that's a week or 2 that squirrels and chipmunks will enjoy those lower holes. ;-)

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Originally Posted by LowbanksArcher

Looks good! Like the paint job too. Not the typical bright blue barrel you can see from a google earth satellite. lol.
My only advice would be to avoid putting any holes in the bottom half of the barrel. If it takes a week or 2 for a bear to find it and knock it over, then that's a week or 2 that squirrels and chipmunks will enjoy those lower holes. ;-)

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Yeah I was kinda thinking that. That’s why I left the ones on the bottom a little smaller. I wanted the numerous holes for scent perforation ( whether this is a misguided thought or not that was my thinking at the time ). I was also thinking that the numerous holes would help prevent it from clogging as there could be some leakage from the first and third sections with the majority coming out the middle. That way not everything is stacking up and waiting to come out the middle.