[Cowboy145]

Hey everybody, I was lucky enough to draw my very first bear tag this year. It is the summer hunt over bait and I have no idea what I am doing. But I am willing to learn. I have a few questions and if someone could help me answer them I would really appreciate it. Thanks in advance.
1. Can I use a Barrel to hold bait at the stand?
2. Can I gut and skin the bear and just leave the sex organs for identification?
3. Can I carry a side arm while I re-bait?
4. Can I use yellow perch from fish lake as bait?
5. Can I carry a bow and a rifle at the same time while I was hunting?

Any help would be great.

 

[turkinator]

Welcome to the site!

I drew a bear tag in 2015 and had a great time! I was in your same boat. I had never been bear hunting before and knew I had a ton to learn.

My first suggestion for you is to read the proclamation. All of your questions can be answered in the proclamation and that should be your go to source for information about the rules/laws of bear hunting.

Second suggestion would be to use the search function on this site and research some of the past posts about bear hunting. There have been some good ones and you can learn a ton by just reading those posts. It will also give you an idea of some people you could reach out to if you have specific questions. You can even send PM's to those people and ask specific questions. All the people I did this with were more than willing to help out and they provided me with great information about bear hunting.

After that, you should have some questions that can't be answered by the proclamation that you could post on here. I think if you did that you would have a better chance of getting some good replies.

And most importantly, make sure to post about your hunt and other hunts as well. People are more likely to open up when they see you contributing to the forum and not just showing up to ask for help.

Hope that Helps!

 

[Cowboy145]

Welcome to the site!

I drew a bear tag in 2015 and had a great time! I was in your same boat. I had never been bear hunting before and knew I had a ton to learn.

My first suggestion for you is to read the proclamation. All of your questions can be answered in the proclamation and that should be your go to source for information about the rules/laws of bear hunting.

Second suggestion would be to use the search function on this site and research some of the past posts about bear hunting. There have been some good ones and you can learn a ton by just reading those posts. It will also give you an idea of some people you could reach out to if you have specific questions. You can even send PM's to those people and ask specific questions. All the people I did this with were more than willing to help out and they provided me with great information about bear hunting.

After that, you should have some questions that can't be answered by the proclamation that you could post on here. I think if you did that you would have a better chance of getting some good replies.

And most importantly, make sure to post about your hunt and other hunts as well. People are more likely to open up when they see you contributing to the forum and not just showing up to ask for help.

Hope that Helps!

Hey Thank you, Ill start looking into older post.
The proclamation is a little unclear on my questions.

 

[elkhunterUT]

Congrats Cowboy145 on the tag!! What unit did you draw? I have a multi-season tag for the Nebo unit so I will also be baiting in the summer.

Here are some answers to your initial questions and references to the proclamation page to help you:

1. Can I use a Barrel to hold bait at the stand? Short answer is NO - bait cannot be contained in anything metal, see page 23-24 of of the 2017 Utah Black Bear Guidebook

2. Can I gut and skin the bear and just leave the sex organs for identification? Yes evidence of the bear's sex must remain attached to the bear's carcass or pelt until a division employee checks the bear & attaches a permanent tag (report kill within 48 hours of actual kill). See page 26 of guidebook

3. Can I carry a side arm while I re-bait? Yes - 2nd amendment right, not sure it says anything about this in the guidebook. This could get sticky though if you shot at or killed a bear when your hunt was not open since you can start baiting May 20th but not actually hunt until June 3rd. Just be careful!!

4. Can I use yellow perch from fish lake as bait? See page 24 - You may use nongame fish as bait, except fish listed as prohibited in Utah Admin. Rule
R657-13. You may not use any other species of protected wildlife as bait. I am honestly not sure if yellow perch are considered non-game or not - you will have to do some more research on that by calling a division office or looking in the fishing guidebook.

5. Can I carry a bow and a rifle at the same time while I was hunting? Because your summer hunt is an "Any Weapon" hunt without dogs, you can carry and hunt with a firearm and/or a bow. Also see pages 20-21 for legal firearms and equipment use during the hunt.

Good luck and have fun - this will be my first time with a tag for bear but I have been part of other hunts. It is a blast and I know I am very excited for my hunt!!

If you don't know already, you will have to register your bait stations that you plan to bait from with the DWR (you can have up to 2 stations). See page 24 in the guidebook for instructions on registering your bait. Jump on this soon if you haven't already done it as the registration period opened on April 3rd.

If I can answer any other questions or be of help to you, let me know.

 

[Cowboy145]

Congrats Cowboy145 on the tag!! What unit did you draw? I have a multi-season tag for the Nebo unit so I will also be baiting in the summer.

Here are some answers to your initial questions and references to the proclamation page to help you:

1. Can I use a Barrel to hold bait at the stand? Short answer is NO - bait cannot be contained in anything metal, see page 23-24 of of the 2017 Utah Black Bear Guidebook

2. Can I gut and skin the bear and just leave the sex organs for identification? Yes evidence of the bear's sex must remain attached to the bear's carcass or pelt until a division employee checks the bear & attaches a permanent tag (report kill within 48 hours of actual kill). See page 26 of guidebook

3. Can I carry a side arm while I re-bait? Yes - 2nd amendment right, not sure it says anything about this in the guidebook. This could get sticky though if you shot at or killed a bear when your hunt was not open since you can start baiting May 20th but not actually hunt until June 3rd. Just be careful!!

4. Can I use yellow perch from fish lake as bait? See page 24 - You may use nongame fish as bait, except fish listed as prohibited in Utah Admin. Rule
R657-13. You may not use any other species of protected wildlife as bait. I am honestly not sure if yellow perch are considered non-game or not - you will have to do some more research on that by calling a division office or looking in the fishing guidebook.

5. Can I carry a bow and a rifle at the same time while I was hunting? Because your summer hunt is an "Any Weapon" hunt without dogs, you can carry and hunt with a firearm and/or a bow. Also see pages 20-21 for legal firearms and equipment use during the hunt.

Good luck and have fun - this will be my first time with a tag for bear but I have been part of other hunts. It is a blast and I know I am very excited for my hunt!!

If you don't know already, you will have to register your bait stations that you plan to bait from with the DWR (you can have up to 2 stations). See page 24 in the guidebook for instructions on registering your bait. Jump on this soon if you haven't already done it as the registration period opened on April 3rd.

If I can answer any other questions or be of help to you, let me know.

Hey thank you so much for your input. I drew the Fish Lake tag.
So as for the the Perch, I found some info on pg 12 of the fishing proc. But it does not say for like bear bait wise. Then on pg 23 it says things about you CAN just through them away. (If they are from fish lake) However on pg 27 they say it is a game fish. (can't be wasted)

But I will check with an officer first.

Thanks again.

 

[Cowboy145]

Oh I have another one.

Can I start using scents now? or before I start Baiting? Like Honey, or black lickorish smell, or vanilla?

 

[CPAjeff]

Can I start using sense now? or before I start Baiting? Like Honey, or black lickorish smell, or vanilla?

Using sense is highly recommended - like common sense or the other five senses.

As far as scents go, I believe they are in the category of baits/attractants and can't be used until the baiting season opens for your tag.

 

[johnnycake]

Having not really looked into it, I would imagine the using perch as bait exception in the fishing proclamation is only as bait for fishing activities.

 

[Cowboy145]

Thanks for all the input guys, learning lots here.

 

[AF CYN]

Oh I have another one.

Can I start using scents now? or before I start Baiting? Like Honey, or black lickorish smell, or vanilla?

I wouldn't use scents until you have bait in the area--you don't want them to come in and find no food. As far as legality, I don't know on that one.

Bears love the smell of anise, beaver castor, bananas, butterscotch and other sweet flavors.

 

[Kevin D]

I wouldn't use scents until you have bait in the area--you don't want them to come in and find no food.

Yup, counter productive to have a bear associate your attractant scent with no food even if it were legal.

 

[Cowboy145]

Thanks everybody!!
Nobody wants to give me oil or backed goods. kinda discouraging.

 

[johnnycake]

Thanks everybody!!
Nobody wants to give me oil or backed goods. kinda discouraging.

The fry oil is pretty much not going to happen anymore since they can sell it to a biofuel company--odds are they are under contract. Technically, the bakeries can't sell you the expired doughnuts/etc (former baker here) as it creates a liability issue--even though people are not going to be eating them, they have to assume that is why you are buying the old products.

Seriously, popcorn with jello packets + a honey burn should be all you need. Maybe one of those giant bear lollipops on a rope that you can hang from a tree, to help them stick around longer.

 

[turkinator]

You can try going to IFA/Cal Ranch type stores and see if they have any torn/ripped bags of dog food/grain they will sell you for cheap. Pour cheap syrup all over it. I also emptied out my food storage of any old food we weren't going to eat. Extra or over ripe veggies or fruit from the garden. Save bacon grease or any used cooking oil you use at home.

Those are a few things that worked for me. But I'd strongly consider the popcorn suggestion! Keeping a bait site stocked once bears start hitting it is a ton of work! Packing giant trash bags full of popcorn and jello packets is much easier than packing a 50lb bag of dog food to a bait site.

 

[elkantlers]

Don't buy syrup. It is super easy and cheap to make. Just combine Sugar, maple extract and water together and bring to a boil. You can make it for pennies compared to buying it. I make several gallons at a time.
As for the fry grease, I surprised your having a hard time getting it. I have never been turned down when asking for it. I have 25 gallons right now in plastic containers. Just ask your local mom and pop burger joint and they will likely give it to you. I take them a metal bucket and they will drain their fryer grease right into the bucket while it's hot. Saves them some work too.

 

[Cowboy145]

Thank everybody will give the mom and pop places a shot.

Pop corn is what I was leaning towards because it so light and cheap.

Are the bear lolliepop's aloud in Utah?

 

[Fishrmn]

Yup, counter productive to have a bear associate your attractant scent with no food even if it were legal.

Just curious. What makes you say "even if it were legal"?

R657-33-14. Use of Bait.
(1)(a) A person who has obtained a limited entry bear archery permit may use archery tackle only, even when hunting bear away from the bait station.

(b) A person who has obtained a limited entry bear permit for a season and hunt unit that allows baiting may use firearms and archery equipment as provided in R657-33-6.

(c) Bear lured to a bait station may only be taken using firearms and archery equipment approved by the Wildlife Board and described in the guidebook for taking bear.

(d) A person may establish or use no more than two bait stations. The bait stations may only be used during an open season.

(e) Bear lured to a bait station may not be taken with dogs.

(f) Bait may not be contained in or include any metal, glass, porcelain, plastic, cardboard, or paper.

(g) The bait station must be marked with a sign provided by the division and posted within 10 feet of the bait.

(2)(a) Bait may be placed only in areas open to hunting and only during the open seasons.

(b) All materials used as bait must be removed within 72 hours after the close of the season or within 72 hours after the person or persons, who are registered for that bait station harvest a bear.

(3) A person may use nongame fish as bait, except those listed as prohibited in Rule R657-13 and the guidebook of the Wildlife Board for Taking Fish and Crayfish. No other species of protected wildlife may be used as bait.

(4)(a) Domestic livestock or its parts, including processed meat scraps, may be used as bait.

(b) A person using domestic livestock or their parts for bait must have in possession:

(i) a certificate of brand inspection, bill of sale, or other proof of ownership or legal possession.

(5) Bait may not be placed within:

(a) 100 yards of water or a public road or designated trail;

(b) 1/2 mile of any permanent dwelling or campground; or

(c) any area identified as potentially increasing nuisance bear activity by the division.

(6) Violations of this rule and the guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking and pursuing bear concerning baiting on federal lands may be a violation of federal regulations and prosecuted under federal law.

Can't find anything in the Utah Code, or the Utah Administrative Code that prohibits scent for luring bears.

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[elkhunterUT]

Fishrmn,
I think he was just referring to the fact that it wouldn't make sense to put scent attractant out until you can actually start baiting and it is not legal to begin baiting for the June 3rd summer season until May 20th (2 weeks prior to the hunt opener).
He was not saying using scent attractants are illegal.

 

[Oppertunist]

I have a Utah summer bear tag and have been inquiring and looking for reasonable bait options. The places I used to acquire bait (grocery stores, bakeries, old bread, etc.) seem to have disappeared unless you have a personal contact or may work at one of these locations (just how things have progressed). In my search I have made contact with one connection that seems to have promise. They have sold most of the bait for the year&#8230;you may be able to pick up of some small quantities (M&M, Lifesaver gummies, frosting, syrup, etc.) like I have purchased. I would have liked to buy some of the dog food and/or other items they had but that has all been sold. I did ask about more coming in but it probably would only be economical if a group went in together to purchase bulk bait (a truck load or something of the sort). I would be highly interested in this option if enough others wanted to work something out together. If you know of anyone who has a bear tag for this year and is considering baiting please feel free to have them contact me if they might be interested [I have also listed the direct contact information below because I wanted to share the information].
This is the contact info: Irby Hayden (Star Valley Wyoming) www.rockymountainbearbaits.com

 

[elkantlers]

You can get sweet feed (horse feed covered in molasses) at IFA or other feed stores for around $15/50lbs. Thats .30 a lb. I use this all the time and the bears love it. I don't pour it in a pile either. I scatter an ice cream bucket full over the whole bait site. The bears will spend hours getting every morsel off the ground. They will use their claws like a rake and get it all.