Michigan Bear Hunting

Yellow Dog · June 04, 2019, 02:11:30 PM

The application period for bear hunting in Michigan just closed June 1st for the 2019 fall season. Been holding out until I retired to use my points to apply for the Baldwin unit. Going into the drawing with 14 points, should have been 15 but I completely forgot to buy a point last year.

I spent the entire month of April this spring staying in my trailer at Ivan's Campground in Baldwin chasing Steelhead on the flywater of the Pere Marquette river. The fellow that owns the campground knows of several people with problem bears so I think I have a plan. Now I just have to wait until the end of June to see if I draw and I'll have to start getting serious about preparing for September.

Any tips for the Baldwin unit would be appreciated. This will be my first Michigan bear hunt since I drew Drummond in 1997.

Bow man · June 04, 2019, 04:18:21 PM

Get in touch with gvdocholliday on here he lives in that area and work for the state DNR.

Trenton G. · June 04, 2019, 05:35:36 PM

I don't think you should have too much trouble drawing with that many points. Good luck!

Edit: I misread what you wrote as Baraga, not Baldwin. Not sure how hard it is to draw in that u it. I know in red oak where I am it is taking guys 8 points now to draw. There are a lot of bears here. They need to give out more tags.

Ray Lyon · June 04, 2019, 07:15:51 PM

[attachment=1]
Michael, this is my 2008 Baldwin unit bear. I'm going for Red Oak now since likely to be 20 more years to get another Baldwin tag. I shot this bear on west side of Interlochen on state land by Bendon. Find a couple of secluded spots that have good entry and exit with predominant wind. My friend had a Baldwin tag last year and couldn't get a bear on stand ever during daylight. Good luck with the drawing and if successful with your hunt.

gvdocholiday · June 04, 2019, 10:04:34 PM

I think you're going to be another year out on points. My wife drew last year with 15.

I'm more familiar with areas just north of Baldwin, pretty much from US10 North to the Wellston/Brethren area.

I'd be happy to run a bait site up here for you. I've found to really enjoy that aspect of bear hunting. Running baits and checking cams. Kept me in shape, that's for sure.

Burly · June 05, 2019, 07:36:04 AM

I'll be waiting until I get somewhere between 15-16 points before I get drawn probably. Basically once in my lifetime bear permit for this area. Lots of bear here.

MGH · June 05, 2019, 10:39:27 AM

After I draw for Baldwin, I'm going to live out my days applying in the UP. I would rather be able to go every 2-3 years than have to wait for 15-16 or more.

Burly · June 05, 2019, 12:31:25 PM

MGH that's my plan. After I draw its back to the Yoop for me.

1Arrow1Kill · June 05, 2019, 07:17:08 PM

Got drawn in the Baldwin area in 2016 with 14 points. Set up baits and trail cameras. Had one huge bear I named "Big Ass Bear" coming in regular as the only visitor at one bait. He was the boss! Had multiple other bears coming in to my other bait several miles away. I was hunting between Branch and M-37. When Small Game Season opened in September the National Forest was swarmed with partridge and squirrel hunters and the bears I had located headed for the swamps. Tried to reload, but didn't score. Had fun being in a tree in September anyway. Sure did get some nice pictures before the season . . . Good Luck Yellow Dog.

Yellow Dog · June 05, 2019, 07:53:43 PM

Thanks for the replies. With the increase in tags this year for Baldwin I'm hoping it'll increase my odds a little for a successful draw. I'm beginning to realize drawing with 14 points may be a bit of a stretch, forgetting to buy a point last year after I reminded all my friends about the application period ending on June 1st was a bonehead move on my part. I had a "oh crap" moment June 2nd. That's the only downfall to retirement........you forget what day it is, everyday is just the day after yesterday.

Bryan, sent you a PM.

Overspined · June 07, 2019, 12:13:42 PM

I did the same Yellow Dog. Went in with 14 this year...

gvdocholiday · June 07, 2019, 05:38:03 PM

After my wife drew here in the Baldwin Unit last year we said the same. Trying to organize a tri-annual(every three years) bear hunt to the Yoop.

Wouldn't mind getting a trad group to go, and camp. My plan is to go up a couple days before hunt starts to set baits and prep trees. Rather than making several trips up.

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Burly · June 07, 2019, 08:45:45 PM

Hey Bryan, you should talk to Cody. He knows some great areas by our old house and use to help me run baits. Maybe you would be interested in that.

gvdocholiday · June 07, 2019, 10:37:11 PM

Think he would be interested in helping start a trad bear camp?

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Yellow Dog · June 07, 2019, 11:15:57 PM

I'd be definitely interested in a trad bear camp. If I draw Baldwin this year I'll be back to zero and starting over. My next shot at Baldwin I'd be pushing 78 years old

The yoop every three years is very do-able......

Even if I didn't draw a tag I'd go just to help out. There's a certain magic about bear hunting with a group of trad guys. Even if you don't tag a bear it's still the most fun you'll ever have.

Bear huntings a team sport

gvdocholiday · June 07, 2019, 11:50:40 PM

It truly is a team sport.

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Ray Lyon · June 08, 2019, 04:10:41 AM

Because of the rarefied chance of getting the Baldwin tag, I had 4 guys helping to drag my bear out (35 yard recovery and heard the death moan so no guessing that I had critter down)-everyone was excited to see the bear. After gutting my bear we put him on a tarp with one guy on each corner to get him out of the woods. His hide was beautiful and the rug turned out fabulously. Really thankful to have three buddies and a friend of a friend there to help.

We should know soon how the drawing went for this year.

Burly · June 08, 2019, 08:28:44 AM

He might be interested, we have been talking about doing a Deer/ Bear camp in a couple years. He put in this year to start building points . I know he likes the the running bait parts of the hunt , that's a rare trait in most folks lol. We have one site that is called " Man eater" it always produced. Plus he knows a bunch more, if your interested in that part of the Yoop.

Burly · June 08, 2019, 08:32:00 AM

Nice Bear Ray, ain't getting them out fun lol. Have you ever bear hunted around Shrewhaven area ?

Ray Lyon · June 08, 2019, 09:02:58 AM

Ron did a few years ago, had one nice bear close one night. Our camp mate Greg passed on one by camp three years ago wanting a bigger bear. We had one deer blood trail end in a bear claim years ago, plus a few other sightings.