The MeatEater Podcast Ep. 842: Jani's Hunt for a Manitoba Giant | 12 in '26
Mar 3, 2026
Janis Putelis, an experienced MeatEater contributor and hunter, walks through his first baited archery black bear hunt in Manitoba. He discusses the controversy and ethics around baiting. He breaks down bait recipes, archery setup, bear behavior at baits, and the shot, tracking, and processing of a giant bear.
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Use Oats First Then Sweeten The Bait
- Do pre-bait with oats soaked in grease to encourage repeated visits without filling bears up.
- Then add corn, pastries, and meat later to 'sweeten the pot' and entice larger boars into daylight.
Beaver Meat Drives Bear Behavior In Manitoba
- Manitoba bears show a strong preference for beaver meat over roadkill or fish in that area.
- Outfitter Craig believes beaver is an early, teachable food source sows use to train cubs, shaping local bear diets.
Short Term Baiting Rarely Changes Meat Flavor
- Short-term baiting (about eight weeks) probably won't change bear meat flavor noticeably.
- Only bears feeding year-round on seafood, like Prince of Wales Island bears, showed clear flavor shifts toward salmon.