Snow Depth

[Mountain Man Jack]

Went out last weekend to put my barrel in location and there is still a good 4-5' of snow depth. It was a chore hiking in 2.5 miles and sinking to my waist at times.
The temperatures are just above freezing as of now, so I was thinking of waiting another 3 weeks or so to bring bait out (~4/24).
Does anyone have a recommendation on how soon to bait even with a lot of snow still present? How deep has the snow been when you bring bait out?

 

[Vince]

mid may works best, bait to early and you will have the grizz on it first, and once they find a food cache they return there year after year looking for it. let them head out and the blackies will follow a few weeks later for the most part.

 

[Bushwhack Jack]

April 15th

April 15th

I would suggest you check with fish and game before you bring out all your stuff. Last I heard, you are not allowed to bring your barrel out until the 15th. That is if it has any scent on it. Not trying to tell you how to do things, just trying to help you stay out of trouble. I believe you may register on the 1st and possibly bring your stand out to your location. I could be wrong, but that is what I was told by a fish and game biologist. The wording in the regs is vague I know, but you might want to check.

 

[Mountain Man Jack]

The way I read the regs is you cannot bring out bait until the start of the season. I brought out a couple new 30 gallon plastic drums.
If the wildlife trooper wants to bust me for littering, he will have to hike in quite a ways and be prepared for a hell of good workout. The snow is soft and ridiculously deep. I sunk to my waist several times...Should've used snow shoes.
I'm thinking I won't even bother with bait until early to mid May.

 

[Bushwhack Jack]

Baiting

Baiting

The way I read the regs is you cannot bring out bait until the start of the season. I brought out a couple new 30 gallon plastic drums.
If the wildlife trooper wants to bust me for littering, he will have to hike in quite a ways and be prepared for a hell of good workout. The snow is soft and ridiculously deep. I sunk to my waist several times...Should've used snow shoes.
I'm thinking I won't even bother with bait until early to mid May.

You are right. It does clearly say "just bait", but I had a wildlife biologist for fish and game tell me that if your barrel has any odor then it is considered bait. Just a word of caution for you. It seems kind of vague to me too, but I am just telling you what he told me. Of course it probably depends on which biologist you are talking too also. Interpretations of the law may vary.