How to Set Up a DIY Bear Bait Site (Without Breaking the Rules)

By Dave Hansen

Introduction: Bear Baiting Isn’t What Most People Think

If you're new to bear baiting, you might assume it's as simple as throwing out donuts and waiting in a tree stand. But the truth is, baiting bears on public land requires serious planning, physical effort, and a deep understanding of bear behavior.

In this post, I’m going to break down exactly how to set up a legal and ethical bait site, the gear you'll need, the strategies that actually work, and what most hunters get wrong. Whether you're new to baiting or just looking to dial in your approach this year, this guide will help.

Is Bear Baiting Legal? (And What You Need to Know First)

Before you even consider picking a bait site or buying supplies, you need to check your state's hunting regulations. Bear baiting is legal in some states and banned in others. Where it's legal, the rules vary wildly—especially regarding:

• What types of bait are allowed

• How far a bait site must be from roads, trails, or water

• If a barrel or cribbing system is required

• When you can place bait and when you can start hunting over it

• How to mark your bait station legally

Most states also require you to register your bait site in advance, sometimes with GPS coordinates and physical markers.

Key takeaway: Always read your state’s hunting proclamation cover-to-cover. Don’t rely on forums or hearsay.

Is Bear Baiting Ethical? Let’s Talk About It

There’s no shortage of opinions on baiting, especially from folks who’ve never tried it. Some argue it’s too easy. Others call it unfair. But let me be clear:

Bear baiting is absolutely ethical when done legally and responsibly.

Here’s why:

• It often takes more work, not less, to get a bear to consistently visit a bait site

• Baiting allows for selective harvesting of mature animals

• It increases shot opportunity and success at close range, which leads to cleaner kills

• It gives hunters a chance to observe bears before shooting, reducing mistakes

You can sit on a bait site for 20 hours and never see a bear. It’s not cheating—it’s strategy and patience.

Picking the Right Spot for Your Bait Site

Choosing a location is probably the most important part of your setup. You want a spot that’s:

• Remote and secluded

• Hard for other hunters to stumble upon

• Close to natural bear movement corridors (ridges, saddles, creek bottoms)

• Downwind of a bedding area if possible

• Not too brutal to access (you could be hauling bait in multiple times a week)

Look for signs like scat, claw marks on trees, logs turned over, and old bait station remnants. Digital scouting with apps like OnX or GoHunt is a huge help here.

Tip: If legal in your area, set up multiple bait sites and focus on the one with the best activity. Some states require a permit, so please check the regulations.

How to Build a Legal Bait Station (Barrel or Cribbing)

There are two main types of bear bait setups:

1. Cribbing Setup

This is a structure made from logs, sticks, and rocks to trap the bait so bears can’t just grab and go. It forces them to work for it, giving you more time in the stand. It can also help you to position the bears in a place where you're more likely to have an ethical shot.

• Build it like a loose cage

• Add a scent drip or stink bait nearby

• Works great in areas where barrels are not allowed

2. Barrel Setup

If legal, a plastic or metal barrel with a locking lid and feeding holes is super effective. Anchor it with chain to a tree and make sure it can’t be dragged away.

Important: Always make sure your setup follows your state’s legal requirements for size, visibility, and distance from trails.

Best Gear to Use for Bear Baiting

Here’s the gear I personally use or recommend for a successful bait site:

Trail Cameras

Essential for patterning bears and knowing what’s visiting.

Use cameras with:

• Long battery life

• Infrared (no flash)

• Cellular (if available or legal in your state)

• Password protection if on public land

Popular picks: Tactacam Reveal X, Browning Dark Ops Pro

Bait Container & other tools

• Scent-proof bags or buckets

• Anchors/chains

• Screw-top barrels

• Heavy-duty gloves (you will stink)

Scent Lures & Attractants

Bears have insane noses. A combo of bait (high-calorie food) + scent (for drawing them in) works best.

• Burnt grease, vanilla extract, anise oil

• Commercial bear scent bombs

• Fish oil or skunk spray (for long-range)

• Sweets, Doughnuts, frosting, etc.

Baiting Strategy: Getting Bears to Commit

Just tossing bait down isn't enough. You need to condition bears to return and stay. Here's how:

• Be consistent: Bait every few days to keep the site active

• Keep it clean: A messy site can push bears away

• Add scent above ground level: Wind carries smells farther

• Log all activity: Track times and patterns with camera timestamps

It can takes weeks of effort before you see consistent visits. Baiting is a grind—but it works.

Final Tips Before You Head Out

• Double-check your regulations

• Be invisible: reduce scent, noise, and stand movement

• Don’t expect immediate success

• If a bear comes in, stay calm. Let it commit before taking a shot.

• Plan for recovery: bears don’t always fall right away

Coming Soon on MTN Outdoorsman

In upcoming posts, I’ll share exactly how I’m prepping for my upcoming spring bear hunt—from scent lures to stand placement to camera strategy. You’ll also get a full recap after the season with photos, success (or failure), and what I’d change.

Want to follow along?

• Subscribe to MTNOutdoorsman.com

• Like or follow our instagram and Facebook pages

• Read my post: “Why I Bought a Suppressor for My Hunting Rifle”

Questions? Comments? Stories? Let’s Talk

If you’ve got a bear baiting question—or just want to share your own bait site tips—drop them in the comments or shoot me a message on Facebook. I’d love to hear from you.