Cover Scents & Attractants for Bears

[FOsteology]

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[billythekidrock]

Hey Fos....Getting close to your WA trip..
This years regs do not mention it, but in the past it stated that bait ment food or attractent, natural or manmade.
A couple years after the bait/hound ban I asked a gammie the same question and he told me that cover scents were ok, attractants were not. If it represents a food source it would be illegal. So I had another question for him.
 Since I mostly call for bears in elk areas I like to use a cow call and a elk cover scent wafer. Would this be legal?

He stated that as far as he was concerned that would be against the law, as the cover scent and calls represent a food source. He also said it may be a judgement call by other officers.

I still use the coverscent wafers on my hat depending on the area and how I want to hunt.. Do not hang them from a tree/bush, etc. This could be considered baiting.

If you guys stay on the flat (where I met you and the area where you camp) I would use them. The wind usually is steady, but it can swirl a bit. If you guys are going back up to the other unit that you hunt, I wouldn't worry to much about it. Usually the thermals will keep your scent away.

[Machias]

Here's what you do, pack a bivy sack and a fold up chair and a stove.  Go to your calling sites and setup "camp".  Then do your honey or bacon burn "breakfast, lunch or dinner" depending on the time.  Then shoot your "camp" bear when he comes in.   

That guy is full of it if he is saying calling and cover scents equal baiting.  I'll call WDFW HQ on Monday.  Baiting has to be something the bear can eat, plastic wafers are NOT a food item, just becasue your adding the audio signal doesn't change that fact.  So, if you step out of your car and you are eating an apple or have a sandwich in your posession, according to this guy you can be charged.  BS!

[billythekidrock]

That guy is full of it if he is saying calling and cover scents equal baiting.  I'll call WDFW HQ on Monday.  Baiting has to be something the bear can eat, plastic wafers are NOT a food item, just becasue your adding the audio signal doesn't change that fact.  So, if you step out of your car and you are eating an apple or have a sandwich in your posession, according to this guy you can be charged.  BS!

I agree, but that is what he told me. The wafers could be construed as an attractant and that would be illegal.

Straight from the Initiative.
(d) As used in this subsection, "bait" means a substance placed,
exposed, deposited, distributed, scattered, or otherwise used for the
purpose of attracting black bears to an area where one or more persons
hunt or intend to hunt them.

I choose to wear them as a cover scent to mask my odor and I use cow/calf/fawn vocalizations to cover the noise I make while moving through the woods. But any over zealous fish cop could make a case that I was "distributing an attractant" by doing so.

Remember, it is the interpretation of the law by the officer that gets you a ticket and you have to prove you did nothing wrong...isn't that how it works now days?

Let me know what you find out and make sure to get names.

[billythekidrock]

Fos - Though the land you hunted last time is owned/managed by DNR, you will want to contact the Fish & Wildlife dept concerning game laws.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/

[Machias]

I wasn't doubting you Billythekidrock.

Best way is to send e-mails and then keep the responses for future court dates

[billythekidrock]

I wasn't doubting you Billythekidrock.

Best way is to send e-mails and then keep the responses for future court dates

Didn't think you were.
Great advice on the email.

[billythekidrock]

E-mails have already been sent out to the directors office, enforcement office, regional office, and fish and wildlife commission for clarification.

Great.. looking forward to the response.

[WDFW Hates ME!!!]

Isn't bear hunting illegal... Cause technically arn't we bait???

[ICEMAN]

WDFW Hates Me, you are a genious. Why the heck didn't I think of this before. Skrew hiking all over hill and dale to try to find a bear to shoot, I am going to set up a lawn chair looking over one of those bearproof food boxes at a backcountry state campground I know. Why didn't I think of this before? Think how much gas and exertion you have just saved me. Thank you !

[high country]

I read an article a bit ago where a guy, perhaps even a guide (memory failure) here in wa was sighted for baitng. at his trial he was found innocent because the hound hunting and bear baiting were written on the same bill which is unconstitutional in wa.......some one will know about this.

[WDFW Hates ME!!!]

Ice, that is what i was thinking...
If i could put up with the smell i would just fill my pockets with rotten shad. Are they going to arrest me for using myself as bait???

[billythekidrock]

Ice, that is what i was thinking...
If i could put up with the smell i would just fill my pockets with rotten shad. Are they going to arrest me for using myself as bait???

Uh, excuse me sir.. Is that you or do I smell shad? 

[littletoes]

Funny, but I asked the same questions of the wardens over here. I was told that electronic calls are LEGAL for bear, that ALL attractents are ILLEGAL.

Wish they would get this stuff straight!!!
Like said elsewere (and this realy pisses me off!) THE SUBJECT OF THE LAW IS UP TO THE WARDEN ON SIGHT!

HORSE-HOCKY.
Thats why we have lawyers, 'cause none of us can interpret it!

[billythekidrock]

As of right now electronics are legal for bears (and elk) but not deer, waterfowl or turkey.