Anyone use bear meat as a bait? We've had our bear trapping season extended to the south for awhile now, and it occurred to me that I might be walking away from a pile of decent bait. I do know that skinned carcasses will often disappear overnight (other bears); and just as often birds won't even peck them. I was thinking about as a fresh bait or prepared bait base? Primarily for marten and fisher, but I wouldn't rule out anything.

Have had coyotes clean up a 450 lb carcass a few years ago in a couple of nights.

Why are you guys not eating the bear meat yourself ? I’ve had it several time in the past and really enjoyed it .

I regret not eating it, or some of it at least. Main reason at the time is that my taxidermist who is an avid bear hunter, did the opposite of encouraging me to try it!

Black bear is delish! Gotta cook it well though & since I don't like steaks or burgers well done, I make roasts, stew, spaghetti, chili, tacos, etc. out of it & it's darn good!

I’ve heard it all depends on what they’ve been eating . Had some one year when my sister lived in Calispel , bear had been eating berries and the meat was too sweet tasting for me .

Bear&eggs are a good plate.

I heard fall vs. Spring bear matters too, because of the condition they are in I suppose. And then there is the wife factor. We only do things around here when we are in agreement, so you know.

Bear meat for bait works great! The yotes and fox around here love it!

Yes, one of my favorite baits. Everything I am after up here likes it.

Wolves and wolverine really go for bear meat. Other bears only eat the fat it seems.

Ive eaten it too, but few here will touch it. We do give some away to people who are stoo poor to be picky. I dont find it to be bad; if anything it is sort of tasteless. A snared bear isnt high on my list of things Id want to eat though. The other reason is volume.
Nobody could eat all of ours even if they wanted to.

Ryan,do you think wolves would eat any fat or are they only interested in the meat?Do you taint it?

Up here wolves eat any and all bear meat they can sink their teeth into.

Osky

Used as small bait for a set tainted works excellent. As a large bait it doesn't matter as the birds will bring the wolves and they can't resist it in my experience. If you don't have good cold temps the fat will keep the meat from freezing hard and the birds will go through it quickly so you may want to cover it some to let birds find it but not eat it all.
I have only used brown bear, but imagine it is all good bait.

Marten and fisher like it? Are you prepping it or using it fresh/frozen?

Great information,Nooksack.Thanks.