With Wisconsin bear tags being released soon, now is a great time to get your plans in order. If you are one of the lucky hunters to draw a tag, this simple timeline will help you prepare, stay consistent, and make the most of your season.
February – March: Planning and Permission
Winter is the ideal time to lay the groundwork for a productive season. Start by using aerial maps to identify secluded, bear friendly habitat such as swamps, alder edges, berry patches, oak ridges, and waterways that serve as natural travel routes. Creek bottoms, clover patches and marsh transitions often provide reliable movement.
This is also the best time to secure permission on private land. Landowners are more receptive in winter, and early access allows for proper scouting before the woods green up. While one well-maintained bait can produce a great bear, having multiple sites, ideally on different properties, provides insurance if one dries up right before the season opens.
April – May: Early Advantage
Wisconsin hunters can begin baiting on April 15th. Starting early increases your odds by bringing bears to your site before natural food sources appear and before other hunters begin baiting. Light, steady feeding is enough to keep bears checking the site. Always use a strong scent attractant to help them find it no matter the season.
June: Building Patterns
If you want to conserve bait while still building opportunity, June is an excellent time to start. Bears are active and traveling widely, and with the mating season still underway, boars especially cover a lot of ground. Some hunters wait until late July or August to begin baiting. Although it can work, we strongly encourage you to start earlier. Starting late does not give bears enough time to find your bait and begin visiting regularly before the mid-August switch when berries, hazelnuts, and early acorns peak.
July – August: Consistency and Variety
This is the time to finalize stand placement and trimming. From this point forward, consistency is critical. Stick to your baiting schedule. Use a variety of bait types each time you fill. Include protein rich, sticky, oily, crunchy, and aromatic options.
September: Success
By opening day, focus on keeping bait fresh, minimizing disturbance, and monitoring how bears are using the area. Remember, you can do everything right and a bait can still dry up. It happens to everyone. Stay consistent, keep your sites maintained, and provide quality bait.
Contact: sales@bobsbearbait.com or call (920)419-1238 | www.bobsbearbait.com
