Bear Lollipop and other prep work

[jcorwin4278]

So tried my hand at a bear lollipop today. It was fast easy and cheap. Once it sets, it should hold up just right. Might not had it on long enough though. I aslo did a Vanillia, ansie, and maple extract spray. With all of this and my Bait 'Em marshmellow ball, all should be good in my little world.:topjob:

[pike_palace]

You guys are all nuts, lol. I can't imagine spending all this time on lollipops and homemade scent stuff....

[Frostbitten]

You guys are all nuts, lol. I can't imagine spending all this time on lollipops and homemade scent stuff....

I was thinking the same thing. It doesn't take much to put out some scent. Once the bears find your bait, the scent is all but irrelevant, it's the food that keeps 'em coming back. I suppose if I had the time, I'd play around with making my own concoctions too. I can buy it just as cheap as I can make it though.

[fishingyoda]

It's more fun to make though. The lollipop doesn't have much scent, my theory behind it is if my bait runs dry they will lick that thing for a long time and come back just to lick it. I'm taking that off of a few other sites and several testimonies. Jcorwin my original sucker wasn't quite solid enough so my chain sunk in it a little how long did you let it boil or did you use a thermometer?

[jcorwin4278]

I did use a thermometer, but I shut it off once it started to burn. It started smelling like a burnt sucker and said thats enough. I talked to my wife and she said, use a spoon and drop some in a cup of cold water. If it hardens up right away, then its done. Thats what I did.

As for everyone else, I have said it before, but this is and experiment year. I am trying more thing than I have ever done before, so I can see what works for me. This lollipop cost a lot less than those bait em balls. Trust me, I bought one. The lollipop is sugar water and jell-o. Thats it, will let you know how it hardens up! Plus it's way more fun to DIY.

[AlaskanOutdoorsman]

Did you hollow out a watermelon to shape the end product like a ball or a use a coffee can? The DIY ball will work for a 'lick' but like fishingyoda says it won't throw off scent like a Bait Em ball does. Speaking of Bait Em balls, I just picked up an order from Jess tonight and let me tell you, her new stuff is the bomb.. I had to put most everything in the back of my pickup for the drive home!

[alaskabliss]

The lollipops and balls will give off a scent just not as much as jess's bait balls. If you hang it in a tree and it rains or you spray the ball, it will drip and create more scent and a place the bears will lick and eat the ground. I agree that baitem products are the best but it is still fun to make your own and see how well it works, sorta like tying flys.

[fishingyoda]

The lollipops and balls will give off a scent just not as much as jess's bait balls. If you hang it in a tree and it rains or you spray the ball, it will drip and create more scent and a place the bears will lick and eat the ground. I agree that baitem products are the best but it is still fun to make your own and see how well it works, sorta like tying flys.

Or reloading your own amo fletching. Your own arrows building your own bows and processing your own meat it's nice to be able to do your own thing even if you still pay for it elsewear.

[jcorwin4278]

Just popped a 35 gallon barrel worth of popcorn. Its takes a long time using air poppers. Its all good, if I get a bear it will be worth it.

[jcorwin4278]

So now I'm up to 70 gallon's and have 35 to go. I have a question for everyone. Do any of you use heavy duty ratchet straps to hold up your barrels? They seems to be high quality and I think they will work, just wanted to get your imput. Thanks all.

[blasterak]

So now I'm up to 70 gallon's and have 35 to go. I have a question for everyone. Do any of you use heavy duty ratchet straps to hold up your barrels? They seems to be high quality and I think they will work, just wanted to get your imput. Thanks all.

I've used those big truck straps and a grizzly didn't have any trouble getting my barrel out. Not sure which ones your thinking of using though. He ripped it clear in two. They'd work great if there were no grizz around. Chains are the way to go in my opinion.

[AlaskanOutdoorsman]

+1 We use chains and/or heavy duty wire cable that's coated from Home Depot, Lowes, etc. Check it's strength before you buy though; I don't recommend you get the weak stuff. :topjob:

[AKF]

I use 3/8 chain and turnbuckles and I've still had a browny rip it off.

[jcorwin4278]

So tomorrow is the big day. We are gonna put out the bait and the new stands. Popcorn done, bear lollipops done, and the bait balls are ready. It will smell like a candy factory out there when we leave. I hope it gets hit fast. We will be checking it in a week and see what happens. I am super excited!

[AlaskanOutdoorsman]

Hoping to do the same this week.. just waiting on the river. :topjob: