The use of ladder stands is a popular tactic when setting up over bait. Not only do they provide a comfortable sit for long hours in the field, they make it extremely easy for inexperienced bowhunters to start hunting and for hunters looking to share a day in the field side-by-side. Mike and his guides can set up stands specifically for those looking to hunt within eyesight of one another.

I never thought a baited black bear hunt would be all that exciting. Growing up in Oregon, where bear baiting is illegal, my bowhunting ethics had been slightly biased against the practice. Taking an elevated position above a pile of rank bait just didn't appeal to me. I thought hunting the four-legged beasts required getting off the beaten path and up high into steep and rugged bear country. But change is inevitable, and my prejudiced mindset met Canadian bear-hunting reality head on in the spring of 2008.

A phone call from outfitter Mike Blanchett put the wheels in motion for a baited hunt in the Cold Lake area of northeastern Alberta. Mike is a passionate outdoorsman with extensive guiding experience and savvy hunting skills that stack up against the best Canadian big-game outfitters. Although I initially expressed skepticism about participating in a baited hunt, by the end of the conversation I felt this was an opportunity to learn some new lessons and gain a fresh perspective. Besides, it was a chance to taste some adventure in the Canadian bush.

In talking with Mike, I learned baited hunts require a lot more than just throwing down some grub and hoping a furry critter shows up for dinner. Maintaining productive bait sites requires hard work, long hours and patience to find what works best in a particular area. It might be oats, fat and meat scraps or sweets; maybe even dog food or grandpa's special marshmallow and molasses mix. All bear hunters have their secret recipe! Also, by using trail cameras, Mike can determine the size and number of bears hitting his baits, which helps pinpoint the most productive stands.

Hearing of the large number of bears that frequently visit the snack shack bait stations Mike strategically sets up in the dense bush, I had high hopes of an action-packed hunt.

Before I knew it, I was booking a flight from Minneapolis to Edmonton, buying a non-resident license and stocking up on Thermacell refill kits to ward off the horrifying hordes of huge biting flies and mosquitoes.

Beaver ponds and dams were plentiful on the trip, which is a rare sight for the author. While on stand, he often heard the pounding thump of a beaver's tail hitting the water as it echoed through the dense forest.

Into The Bush
The month leading up to the hunt dragged along just like the Minnesota winter. When May finally arrived, I was going bear hunting to celebrate the end of hibernation – for me and the bears. Upon my arrival in Edmonton, I was greeted by experienced bear guide Vince Roth, who drove me and four other clients 220 miles north to camp.

The ride was quite entertaining, and my anticipation grew steadily as I listened to Vince tackling questions like a pro and providing a bit of humor along the way, something I found him quite capable of supplying during the week ahead.

We pulled into camp around 6 p.m., and I could tell right away it was definitely going to be an adventure. Our cabins were no more than 100 yards from the lake; the fire pit was ready to burn, and the bare skeleton of a teepee was waiting for us to hang bear hides on.

A generator-powered, single-wide mobile home served as the mess hall, and behind that stood a 3-D archery target for practicing. Mike's operation looked like one fine bowhunting camp.