Changes to spring bear season.

[Blacktail Sniper]

Sorry, this is going to be a little bit long-winded post, please bear    with me and read it through.

I know that the foremost attention right now is the upcoming election and the gun initiatives on this years ballot.

But I wanted to toss this out and get folks on here thinking about it, because in the next few weeks, I will be asking for help from the Hunt Wa community in the form of letters and emails, hopefully in support of this.

Some may remember that back when WDFW was taking proposals for changes to the next three year period game management plan, I submitted a proposal for bringing baiting back for hunters to use during the spring damage permit hunts.

I chose only the spring hunts, because their purpose it to protect/prevent damage to timber by bears peeling, and they are a limited, permit only hunt. But are available to anyone who cares to apply and is lucky enough to draw a permit.

As I was aware, and was pointed out at that time, this is a change that would need to occur by legislative action.  But my intent at the time was to get it into the hands of the policy setters at WDFW while they were actively requesting input from hunters and the public in general.

On Oct 1, I received an email from Donny Martorello, WDFW Carnivore Manager, eagerly requesting additional information about my proposal.  Due to other obligations, deer season and scheduling, I was finally able to connect with him yesterday. After a very informative conversation, I am now ready to move forward.  I was told that he would strongly support my proposal and that WDFW would be 100% behind my plan, the only caveat being getting the legislature to act in our favor. That is where Hunt Wa and the power of letter writing & emails will come in down the road a bit.  But first, over the next few weeks, I have a little more ground work to lay.

So for now, enjoy the rest of deer season and good luck during elk, I will be posting an update with more information and the next steps in this process in the next few weeks.

Here is what I submitted to WDFW:

OVERVIEW

The purpose of this proposal is to establish guidelines allowing spring, damage control special permit black bear hunters to establish and utilize bait stations to aid in the taking of bear in areas determined to be causing sufficient damage to warrant a special hunt draw and spring season.

WHO CAN BAIT?

Only those hunters who have successfully drawn a WDFW special permit for one of the established spring black bear damage permit hunts may purchase a Bait Station Permit, to place, maintain and hunt over a bait station for spring black bear.
Hunters must have passed a WDFW approved Hunter’s Safety course or qualify for the Hunter’s Safety Course exception by having been born before January 1, 1972, and have all proper licenses, permits and transport tags to hunt black bear in the State of Washington prior to establishing a bait station.

BAIT STATION GUIDELINES

Bait stations may be established no earlier than 15 days before opening day of the respective season.
Hunters may not attach any device, barrel, box or other container  holding bait material to any tree (standing dead, down falls & stumps excluded), in a way that damages or may cause damage during mounting, use or removal.
Bait containers must be attached or secured in such a manner that they are easily removable at the close of the permit hunter’s season or conclusion of hunt, no permanent bait or feeding stations are permitted.
Bait containers may be a single metal or plastic barrel not larger than 55 gallon sized, wooden box, or made from natural materials found on site.  No tires are allowed.   
At the conclusion of the permit holder’s hunt or no later than five (5) days after the close of the respective season, the area must be returned to as close to natural as possible by removing all bait containers, non-consumed bait material, and any material used to conceal the hunter’s observation location (stand material, blind, etc.).

BAIT MATERIALS

Bait may consist of any natural or commercially processed meats, vegetables, fruits or grains (wastage and unlawful use of game animals, birds and fish laws apply).  Bait may not contain any metal, plastic, paper, Styrofoam, glass or any other substance which may harm or injure an animal feeding from the bait station.
If commercial processed substances such as breads, doughnuts, cakes, or other pastry items are used, the commercial wrappers must be completely removed from each product before being placed in the bait container or the area around it.
Natural or processed honey, molasses, jams, jellies or similar substances may be used as an additive or attractant in or around a bait station. 
Restaurant or other cooking oils or grease may not be used at a bait station.

BAIT STATION PERMITS

Only successful spring bear permit hunters may purchase a WDFW Bait Station Permit. 
For each bait station that a hunter wishes to establish, he/she must have a separate WDFW Bait Station Permit, and the permit number must be attached to each bait station so to be visible to WDFW or other authorized person upon physical inspection of the site.
WDFW Bait Station permits are available for purchase from the Olympia Headquarters only.  Only successful, special permit draw spring black bear hunters are eligible and may purchase Bait Station Permits.
Bait Station Permits are $10.00 each and are valid fifteen (15) days before the opening day of the special permit season and expire five (5) days after the end of the respective spring permit hunt end date.
Bait stations in place, whether active or not, 16 or more days prior to the established opening date of a spring bear special permit hunt or after the expiration date on the Bait Station Permit shall be considered to be in violation of the prohibition of baiting bears as defined in Washington R.C.W. 77.15.245.
Hunting over a bait station without a valid, spring bear special hunt permit and a valid Bait Station Permit in the hunter’s name, shall be considered to be in violation of the prohibition of baiting bears as defined in Washington R.C.W. 77.15.245.

PLACEMENT OF BAIT STATION

Bait stations cannot be placed closer than 50 yards from any natural body of water or natural running stream, creek or river.
Bait stations must be at least 100 yards from any traveled road, public or private, regardless of surface or use, or established hiking, horseback riding, bicycle or other off road vehicle use trail.
Bait stations may not be placed within 500 yards of any dwelling, regardless of whether it is a private residence or commercial building.
Bait stations illegally placed on private property, may be removed by the property owner and the permit holder’s Bait Station Permit may revoked by WDFW.

 

[DOUBLELUNG]

I like it and will support it.  I would recommend including allowing permit hunters to also hunt over feeding stations established by the property owner or their agent to reduce damage by bears.

[trophyhunt]

Yup, I like it! 

[h20hunter]

Clear, easily understood, easily enforceable. Like it.

[sirmissalot]

I like it. A lot

[jasnt]

I like it and will support it.  I would recommend including allowing permit hunters to also hunt over feeding stations established by the property owner or their agent to reduce damage by bears.

[steeleywhopper]

I like it as well. Now if we could get them to extend the seasons and allow for more than 25 permits.

[pd]

I think this was very well written, and is a reasonable proposal. 

Might I suggest that you ask your local legislator (two representatives, one senator in each district) to sponsor this bill in the 2015 legislative session?  If you can get either of the House or Senate committees to hear the bill, WDFW would have to come to testify, and give an opinion.  Then you could work with the agency to get your point across. 

Which district do you live in, and do you have a relationship with the representatives?

[Bigshooter]

I fully support it.  I have suggest something similar to this to wdfw before.

[duckmen1]

Fully support it

[duckmen1]

And if it was to pass its a step in the right direction to get back what we as hunters lost years ago

[MtnMuley]

You have one major downfall, LEGISLATURE. I've been in your same boat on several issues with zero progress due to that. Best of luck though, and I support your cause.

[CementFinisher]

 

[bowbuild]

I support your efforts, but question why you specifically are against grease?? Why? That is a sure fired way to get more bears at a bait!

[actionshooter]

I would fully support this.