By Bernie Barringer

I’m not sure how I got into guiding bear hunters, but I guess it was just a natural progression of my love for bear hunting. I learned a lot about bear hunting both through years of DIY hunts on public land as well as many trips with outfitters across North America. I’m at a point where I get just as much enjoyment, maybe more, out of helping others shoot bears than I get out of doing it myself.

I thought I had a pretty good idea what I was in for when I started guiding, but there are some things that were a surprise. One was changing the sheets and pillowcases on eight beds when one group leaves and the other is coming in the following day. Another was the large amount of food a bunch of guys can eat when they are outdoors all day. Apparently, they like my cooking! Let’s look at five things that are different about guiding than hunting by yourself or with a buddy.

The Importance of Efficiency

This is a lot of work. It starts in the summer with checking all the trails to the baits for fallen trees, etc. and this really ramps up when the baiting starts 2-3 weeks prior to opening day. I have learned that having everything the same really helps minimize extra effort and adds efficiency. For example, having 20 identical trail cameras with bear safe boxes, along with having 20 locks for those boxes with identical keys. Having as many stands identical also helps, as does the barrels, chains, and other items that it takes to pull this off. The saying “time is money” is appropriate here.

It’s also important to have bait that is easy to handle and move with minimal effort. I don’t have time to be looking for a stick to scrape the last bit of bait out of a bucket. I want things that are easy to handle in large quantities and move from super sack to barrel, to bucket, and to the bait site with minimal effort. I have learned I do not like sticky things or things that take a lot of work and time to get from point A to point B.

The Surprising Quantity

I mentioned 20+ trail cameras and all the barrels, buckets, and tools needed earlier, but the sheer amount of bait can be staggering. I went through 30 barrels of trail mix and sunflower seeds last year. I had six large deep freezers full of pastries at the beginning of baiting and continued to add to that as the baiting and then the season went on. I probably used an additional ton of bread and pastries when the freezers were empty. The amount of time and money it takes to collect, store, and move this much bait into the woods really has to be experienced to fully appreciate it.

I also had two and sometimes three pickups going all the time along with ATVs on trailers. We were going through a lot of gas every day both in the trucks and the ATVs. I have five 4-wheelers and a side-by-side being used, but I have decided to migrate more towards the side-by-sides, so I have sold two of the quads and bought another side-by-side for this coming year. The quantity and expense that it takes to do this is surprising at times.

Baiting Strategy

I am a firm believer that the best strategy for keeping bears at the baits is to never let the baits run dry, if possible. There are other guides and recreational bear baiters nearby, and it’s easy to lose your bears to someone else or to natural foods. Therefore, the baits need to be run regularly. I have learned that I accomplish this more easily if I group the bait sites into threes that are generally 2-4 miles apart, and it increases my efficiency in putting people in the stands and getting bears out. For example, if I have six hunters, I will send three with one guide and I’ll take three. We can drop them off close together so they do not have to wait long after dark to get picked up. If we have to track a bear and retrieve it, we can minimize the time people have to wait in order to get back to camp and get something warm to eat at the end of the day.

Bait Distance and Placement

I have long advocated for keeping your baits at least two miles apart, and in many cases, depending on habitat, I prefer three to four miles apart. Many bears will visit more than one bait if they are two miles apart or less. This is especially true of adult males, which may travel even more than that. If you are hunting alone, you don’t want bears visiting more than one of your baits. When it comes time to hunt, you might be sitting on one of the baits while the bear is on the other. You want to have confidence that you are sitting where the bear is going to come in. With guiding, that’s not much of an issue. While I still keep my baits two miles apart, if I have a bear that is visiting more than one bait, I can just put a hunter on both baits. I don’t show any favoritism, so I guess you could say the bear will choose who gets to shoot him based on which bait he chooses to visit that day.

Dealing with People

I have been very fortunate in the short time I have been guiding bear hunters to have really great people in camp. I have not been in a situation where I have a client with a toxic attitude, is overly demanding, drinks to excess, or is in any way hard to get along with. But people have their individual personalities. I have had people who struggle to stay quiet and still on stand. I have had people who tend to get out of the stand during prime time because they get nervous as it gets dark. Some people have intentions of holding out for a big bear, but end up taking the “bird in the hand” when an average bear presents itself. Other people have trouble with mobility or some kinds of stands and need to be catered to a little more closely.

I just want people to have a good experience. If they shoot a smaller bear, I just tell myself that it’s their tag and they can do what they want; and if they’re happy, I’m happy. Plus, I suppose if they don’t get the big one they are after, they’re more likely to come back and try again.

Despite the challenges and the learning curve associated with transitioning from a DIY bear hunter to a guide, I have to say I am loving it. 100% of my hunters have had the chance to shoot a bear, and so many of them showed so much excitement at many points in their hunt that it really charges me up to keep going and do my best so everyone leaves with a big smile on their face. Guiding bear hunters certainly isn’t for everyone, but I’m surprised and thankful to be enjoying it so much.