Bears - North vs South ON

[Flashman]

A question for the bear experts - I'd sure appreciate some advice...

As it sits, my plan is to hunt bear in WMU 46, season opens 8 Sep. I've got a spot, baits are going out next week, and to say there's bear sign there is an understatement. More poop on the ground than in the dog park, and the past four times I've been there I've bounced one. Last time, I hadn't been at the campsite more than ten minutes when I saw one in shootable distance. Plan is to hunt there for a week then head up to the WMU 29 & 40 areas for grouse on 15 Sep, and be there until moose rifle opens in Oct.

But...

I guess I could just head right up to 29 / 40 for bear now, and just stay put until moose rifle. The downside is I haven't done any scouting. But looking at the cuts on Google earth and the geo data on the TFAI site, it sure seems I wouldn't have much trouble finding a suitable spot to bait.

I'm on the fence. Both seem like great options. I only have to be back down in S Ont for archery deer, probably hunting the second week of Oct. And really the last weekend of Aug to scout and put up stands LOL. I also gather bears are more of an issue up there; perhaps removing one up north would be more beneficial to game management than taking one down here...

[pbonura]

I would just hunt the spot you know... If there is bear sign everywhere and an established bait then opener should be a breeze. Bear hunting is not cheap. We just baited last week and established baits are easier to get a good bear since they know where there is food.

[Flashman]

thanks pb... True that. I'm not fussed about success really, I'm happy to have an excuse to walk in the woods with a rifle as it were. I guess the answer is really simple if I pull the thinking cap down; hunt 46 and if I don't tag out, just move the baits up north when grouse opens.

[Snowwalker]

A bear on the pole is better then two in the bush. be sides don't you want to know that when you get back from walking around for grouse or hunting moose, the slow cooker is full of nice tender cuts of bear back straps?

[Flashman]

Now that is an excellent point!

I'll be out in the bush for a month though, so it'll have to be cooking away in the dutch oven - nowhere to plug the slow cooker in LOL.

[alfoldivandor]

thanks pb... True that. I'm not fussed about success really, I'm happy to have an excuse to walk in the woods with a rifle as it were. I guess the answer is really simple if I pull the thinking cap down; hunt 46 and if I don't tag out, just move the baits up north when grouse opens.

I like to Bear hunt in WMU 27 26 season start Agust 15 , they taste better there...

can't wait .....