Fish guts for bait?

[chuckinduck]

I'm fortunate to be able to do a lot of walleye/salmon fishing over the summer, and as a result, I throw away a lot of fish guts/carcasses. I was thinking of freezing the remains this year and using them for bear bait. Is it more trouble then its worth, or would this be a good addition to a bait site? Thanks.

Ryan

[hunt4life]

I've found it works great for bait in moderation. Try to keep it fresh once it starts to rot the bears will still eat some or roll in it but will draw alot of unwanted critters. Myself I try to give them just enough that they will clean it up in one setting mixed with sweets.

It definetly won't deter them from coming in. Unless you get wolves working the bait. Have seen once they start working a bait site bear activity will decrease dramatically.

[northernhunt]

Petty messy when you clean the bear and does not do good to the meat.

Moderation makes sense.

[chuckinduck]

I've found it works great for bait in moderation. Try to keep it fresh once it starts to rot the bears will still eat some or roll in it but will draw alot of unwanted critters. Myself I try to give them just enough that they will clean it up in one setting mixed with sweets.

It definetly won't deter them from coming in. Unless you get wolves working the bait. Have seen once they start working a bait site bear activity will decrease dramatically.

I hope I don't run into wolves. We'll be in the red oak unit! :)

[upmounty]

I would only recommend it at the start. it will definitely attract them as well as other critters. once a bait is being hit good i would discontinue.

[bigrackmack]

Hope you are up wind.....Bears will eat just about anything......so why deal with the mess?......Only thing I found that they won't eat is lettece or water melon........Mack

[Steelfishin]

Mack it funny you mentioned lettuce, we were messing with some bears a few years back after our hunts were over just to see what they would actually eat, and lettuce and oranges were always carried off the bait site and then dropped off a short distance from the crib. They would not eat them but they sure wouldn't leave them on the bait either. Kinda funny critters. :lol::lol:

[D.C.U.P.]

It definetly won't deter them from coming in. Unless you get wolves working the bait. Have seen once they start working a bait site bear activity will decrease dramatically.

This bear doesn't appear to be too concerned about wolves.

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http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g71/dcompo/wolfmeetsbear.jpg

[Luv2hunteup]

I would only resort to fish guts if I was having trouble opening up a bait site. I would rather open a bait site with the smell of bacon than the smell of fish. Cook a pound of bacon to open up your bait site, you with leave hungry versus leaving sick to your stomach after each visit.

[Spartan88]

I run baits in Red Oak and the first year I tried some guts and they wouldnt touch the stuff, I cant blame them.

[brokenarrow]

Fish guts are awesome (if prepared right) if your allowed to use them where you hunt (I can not). Let them sit in a garbage can for a week outside in the sun. When the top of the pile moves when you kick the can, the guts are ready. Fresh guts ore just ok to bear. Stinky rancid smelly maggot ifested guts are a gourmet meal.

[Callinalldeer]

A stink bate to get them going than leave it alone.Put lots of used oil from the restaurants on the ground that way the bears will carry away the scent on their paws and attrack other bears.
A cheap way to bait is get a barrel with a locking lid and drill 1/2" holes all around it and chain to a tree.Use cheap dog food, add liquid chicken bouillon and corn suyrup and fryer grease.The bears will have to work for the food and stay longer.
lol bears will chase wolves away.

[Callinalldeer]

Sorry,I never hunted bears in Michigan and therefor never read the regulations.I just found out barrels are illegal.I apologize for the bad info.