First Time Bear Baiting: The Strategy We're Running This Fall

Ever wonder what it actually takes to pull a big bear into bow range, or how a guy with an old TV and a pull-up bar racked up 17 million views? This episode answers both. I sit down with Jared Lewis, the archer behind that viral saddle-hunting stunt, to break down his content approach and then dig deep into real bear baiting tactics ahead of fall season.We cover how Jared built a following posting hilarious, high-risk archery content, then shift into the meat of the episode: scent strategy for pulling bears into a bait site, barrel setup, bullet and broadhead selection, and where to actually aim on a bear so you don't lose a blood trail in the swamp. If you're weighing whether to run a bait station this season, or just want to laugh at a guy shooting a TV while hanging from a saddle, this one delivers both.What we cover in this episode:• The real story behind Jared's viral 17-million-view "shoot the TV" archery video and why the stunt worked• How Jared went from zero to over 30 million monthly views across Instagram and Facebook in just a few months of intentional posting• Why scent, not bait itself, is what actually draws bears in from a distance, and how raccoons and squirrels help spread it• Bait barrel setup: plastic vs. metal, hole placement, vertical vs. horizontal mounting, and what holds up to a determined bear• Rifle bullet selection (45-70 with a 300-grain Barnes copper bullet) versus bow broadheads (expandable hybrids and VPA single-bevels) for bear• Why bear shot placement is different from deer, and how to avoid a lost blood trail when their wound channels clog with fat• Balancing a bear bait station with whitetail season on the same propertyIf this one gets you fired up for bear season, subscribe to the podcast and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram so you don't miss part two, the bear season recap.Check out more of Jared’s Content at:https://www.instagram.com/thejaredlewis_/Sign Up for the Monthly Reveal Giveaway & Claim Bonus points:https://www.getdrawnwest.com/revealStay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter.Get practical emails on deadlines, draw strategy, new episodes, and giveawayupdates.Join Here: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/newsletterLooking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle!https://www.getdrawnwest.com/articles/best-elk-calls-for-beginners FREE Gear Checklist:https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gearConnect with Brian Krebshttps://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com!Sponsorsand Discounts:GOHUNTInsider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/g3aa8L4GOHUNT GearShop – 10% off most items with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/e75Pm4uSave 10% onMaverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://maverickhunting.com/?ref=getdrawnwestSave 20% OnReveal Cell Cams & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST20https://www.tactacam.com/Get the BESTPRICES on your next firearm at Guns.com!https://alnk.to/3yfWc6RBest Prices on Trauma Kits & FirstAid at Jase.comhttps://rstr.co/jasemedical/getdrawnwest00:00:00 – Intro and welcome to Jared Lewis00:01:04 – Behind the viral TV-shooting archery stunt00:09:37 – How Jared started making viral hunting content00:12:36 – Bear sightings and population talk on Brian's farm00:16:16 – New Hampshire vs. Minnesota bear seasons and baiting laws00:20:18 – The real secret to attracting bears: scent over bait00:24:43 – Picking the best location for a bait site00:30:58 – Jared's bear bait recipe and barrel setup00:41:07 – Rifle bullet selection for bear hunting00:43:17 – Broadheads and bow setup for bear00:52:30 – Bear anatomy and shot placement00:56:04 – Running a bear bait alongside deer season00:59:24 – Cooking and eating bear meat01:03:41 – Wrap up and where to follow Jared