Spring bear set up - all done - now wait

Spent the day getting ready for spring bear. Beauty day but the flies are already out in big way = time for bear. First step was to launch the Zodiac. Had some ice damage this spring so the dock will not be out for another week or two. Had to pull the decking off the fixed/permanent portion so i can re-build the 2 front cribs - always something:

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Got the Zodiac launched:

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Tied it up and got it ready at the winter storage spot for my floating dock. This will be my base until repairs on the cribs are done.

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Once again opted to just go with the electric and seriously considering selling my 15 hp yammy and replacing it with 200 amp-hours of lithium. Not nearly as fast but so much less maintenance, tons of range and super peaceful.

On the water:

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All set:

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Miller time.

Good luck with the bears

Looking good! Is that just a roller barrel?

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Originally Posted by dean.f

Looking good! Is that just a roller barrel?

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Yep, Molasses and corn mostly with a few jujubes mixed in.

Like your setup!

So far we have 1 active bait out of 5. Hopefully they find the others this week...

Nice setup ,
let me ask you off your success rate in the past how many bears you seceded to harvest ?

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Originally Posted by Species8472

Yep, Molasses and corn mostly with a few jujubes mixed in.

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Originally Posted by alfoldivandor

Nice setup ,
let me ask you off your success rate in the past how many bears you seceded to harvest ?

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In last 12 years 12 bears. Two years didn't get one. One year didn't have time. Two of the years though I took two because of extra tags when they were still available in our unit. One other year also took two but was because I filled mine and than filled my son's party hunting.

Size ranged from about 120 pounds to 350 pounds with most between 150 and 200 pounds.

Also use a mix of vanilla, Carmel and anise extract poured on rotten stumps as an attractant.

Sweet set up Joe. We use pretty much the same barrel recipe. Good luck when you get hunting. What means of equipment are you using to hunt, Rifle/bow/shotgun?
I have taken two with rifle and one with Xbow in my few years of bear hunting. I am planning on using my shotgun this fall to mix it up.
We only hunt the fall season but it's always nice to see what others use to fill the barrels

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Originally Posted by huntnmachine

Sweet set up Joe. We use pretty much the same barrel recipe. Good luck when you get hunting. What means of equipment are you using to hunt, Rifle/bow/shotgun?
I have taken two with rifle and one with Xbow in my few years of bear hunting. I am planning on using my shotgun this fall to mix it up.
We only hunt the fall season but it's always nice to see what others use to fill the barrels

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Thanks Terry. Debating between my 308, 35 Whelen, and 45-70. The 308 is my favourite rifle but the Whelen and/or the 45-70 hit like the hammer of Thor. At 35 yards though pretty sure the choice between those 3 is pretty much irrelevant.

Lookin good! Is that your shooting lane in the last pic?

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Originally Posted by LowbanksArcher

Lookin good! Is that your shooting lane in the last pic?

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Hey Mike, Been a while. Yes it is. Best of luck out there this year.

Lovely pics as usual thanks for sharing.

Always intrigued by reading your hunting stories and knowing it would another successful story to ready.

All the best and good luck to you Joe wish you hammer your target bear in no time!

Species that looks like a pretty solid crib dock, if you ever re-build your crib dock you can try putting a piece of threaded rod through each corner that should help prevent the timbers from coming apart or getting pulled out in the future.

Awesome set up and look forward to your bear adventures this spring!

Jealous. I will be waiting for the fall hunt this year but was up to the cottage south of Sudbury on the weekend and while the weather was beautiful I was shocked how many blackflies were out already
Then again I was shocked that I had a few baths in the lake so I guess they don’t have a calendar just temps to go by

Good luck with the hunt

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Originally Posted by kokes

Species that looks like a pretty solid crib dock, if you ever re-build your crib dock you can try putting a piece of threaded rod through each corner that should help prevent the timbers from coming apart or getting pulled out in the future.

Awesome set up and look forward to your bear adventures this spring!

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The 2 cribs closest to shore are done that way. They were built by me 7 years ago and are still mint. The two in the front are older and were done by previous owner. They do not have extra rodding. To be fair though the front take more of an ice beating.

They are being torn down and re-built completely this spring complete with rods. In addition to timbers popped out they are out of level and twisted - hard to see in the pic but in person it is obvious.

Hopefully after the re-build the next time work is required it will be one of my son's while I direct from a lounger with a cooler of beer.

Great setup as always �� love the pictures

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Originally Posted by Candice_h

Great setup as always �� love the pictures

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Thanks!

Managed to finish the cribs and dock last weekend. Up to now just been monitoring the bait and topping up as needed. Bears are hitting it for sure. One very large pile of fresh scat on Sunday that was pop can diameter. Don't have a game camera on the bait as i find the surprise more fun at this stage of my hunting life. With shoreline work done i will be starting to hunt the bait very soon.

The 2 new cribs and new decking on permanent structure and hoisting the ramp:

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All done:

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Nice job.

Very nice job

awesome job looks great!

Great job looks very good and sturdy

Wow, that looks nice, both the setup and dock
Good luck this season

Well finally out. Sitting on an active bait right now. Bugs are brutal and forgot my thermacell. Oh well .

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Originally Posted by Species8472

Well finally out. Sitting on an active bait right now. Bugs are brutal and forgot my thermacell. Oh well .

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Good luck Joe!

Look forward to read the details of your hunt.

Just had a 2 year old about 100 lbs walk to within 6 feet of where I am brushed in LOL.

+/- 200 lb er on bait right now. Pass for now

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Originally Posted by Species8472

+/- 200 lb er on bait right now. Pass for now

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What size of bear is a shooter in your book?

I will be happy to take 200 pounder anytime lol.

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Originally Posted by spcamno

What size of bear is a shooter in your book?

I will be happy to take 200 pounder anytime lol.

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Fall I would take him. Spring I am picky. As pardon the pun but I have fall to fall back on.

He still here. Been over an hour.

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Originally Posted by Species8472

Fall I would take him. Spring I am picky. As pardon the pun but I have fall to fall back on.

He still here. Been over an hour.

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Yeah you are right guess if it didn't happen in the Spring season you can get back on it in 3 months so what's the rush.