spring bear baiting

[duckman40]

talked to a game warden on Saturday and he told me that there was someone baiting bears on the Skagit hunt. we all now it is illegal to do this. this is only going to make it harder for us to hunt the lands that we are on. I hope that they get what is coming to them.

[X-Force]

A member on here pm'ed me about an area near where I had been hunting where he sespected baiting going on. Unfortunantly I don't have a key so I haven't been back to poke around.

I hope they nail the guy. Crap like that pisses me off.

[Wea300mag]

Interesting, I ran across two hounds (all collared up) on two different days in there.

[Bronson]

Interesting, I ran across two hounds (all collared up) on two different days in there.

Not sure about Skagit, but from my understanding from talking to the dfw guys for the Monroe unit, they have paid hound guys in there hunting also.  Three weeks ago when I talked to one they knew of two small bears shot by the hound guys in Monroe.

[huntnnw]

a right that was taken away by the general public..and guys are pissed off

[kglacken]

honestly, the timber companies probably like when people bait  more bears killed means less tree damage and more $$$$ in their pockets when it comes time to log the trees. Dont get me wrong, I wouldnt do it unless it was legal, and they are not smart for trying to get away with it but, I personally think they should allow for baiting in the spring season if they really want to make a dent in the number of bears 

[Turner89]

honestly, the timber companies probably like when people bait  more bears killed means less tree damage and more $$$$ in their pockets when it comes time to log the trees. Dont get me wrong, I wouldnt do it unless it was legal, and they are not smart for trying to get away with it but, I personally think they should allow for baiting in the spring season if they really want to make a dent in the number of bears 

It's also the most humane way to hunt them

[huntnnw]

a taxi I knew years ago was hunting the blues for bears and I guess the warden down there knew all about the baiting that was going on..turned a blind eye to it

Id be willing to bet there is a staggering numbers of bears shot over "deer baits"

[Skyvalhunter]

FYI the private timber companies have been and are baiting bears on there land so make sure you don't go pointing fingers at other hunters before knowing the whole story.

[billythekidrock]

FYI the private timber companies have been and are baiting bears on there land so make sure you don't go pointing fingers at other hunters before knowing the whole story.

 

[huntnnw]

  I think Phelps had a filmed hunt where they could place bait on the tree farm

[oldschooltrucks]

How long has it been illegal to bait bears?  It's been awhile right?

I agree, baiting should be legal for the spring time

[eldplanko]

Private timber sets out bait, as the food source reduces timber damage... the law is pretty clear on this:

(b) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prevent the establishment and operation of feeding stations for black bear in order to prevent damage to commercial timberland.

If you're hunting and aware of bait, ethics and common sense says don't hunt bears over it.

[haus]

Private timber sets out bait, as the food source reduces timber damage... the law is pretty clear on this:

Per what a warden told me; he drives up to check bait sites on a timber companies land, if there is evidence of activity he calls the hired gun to come and shoot the bear. rinse repeat.

[h20hunter]

I would like to see a similiar method to what Alaska does. This would apply to spring permits, not general season.

Spring permit holders allowed to bait up to three areas. Each area must be posted with tag, name, and phone. Each area must marked at access points that it is baited. Each area must be free of debris or trash after the season ends.

That is how to get more than three or four bears per area taken down.

[sirmissalot]

My love for this state would come back if it were allowed again.

But I do not think that will ever happen. (pounds head on desk)





















(still pounding head on desk) 

[oldschooltrucks]

I would like to see a similiar method to what Alaska does. This would apply to spring permits, not general season.

Spring permit holders allowed to bait up to three areas. Each area must be posted with tag, name, and phone. Each area must marked at access points that it is baited. Each area must be free of debris or trash after the season ends.

That is how to get more than three or four bears per area taken down.

I like the sound of that.  Wish we could make it happen.

[bobcat]

Allowing baiting in the spring would actually make the westside spring permits worth applying for.  As it is now, I'm not sure I want to use 8 points on anything but an eastside spring bear permit.

[kglacken]

Allowing baiting in the spring would actually make the westside spring permits worth applying for.  As it is now, I'm not sure I want to use 8 points on anything but an eastside spring bear permit.

I learned that this year. If I would of been able to bait in the Copalis unit, I think it would make it more successful, and also more enjoyable!

[Jonathan_S]

Allowing baiting in the spring would actually make the westside spring permits worth applying for.  As it is now, I'm not sure I want to use 8 points on anything but an eastside spring bear permit.

   I only apply for 101, 108, 105, 117 because when I eventually draw for spring bear, I know I'll at least be hunting better units.  Unfortunately, many hundreds and thousands of individuals have the same game plan   

[sirmissalot]

All you eastsiders would probably draw tags every other year (ok maybe not blues tags but still a lot more often) because us westsiders would be back to applying over here for spring tags.

[duckman40]

there are hound hunting in the Skagit and some of the tree company's can bait. I was told this by the game warden. but these guys are just spring bear hunters. so they are in the wrong. I would love to see baiting back. it would save me a lot time and gas.

[elk247]

State wide baiting, 1 bear in spring and 1 in fall, and use of hounds. Bring back the good old days. Eliminate depridation permits so landowners and hunters can mutually benifit and work together.

[Wea300mag]

I'm curious how the Warden knows its Spring Bear Hunters but hasn't nailed them yet. They have all of our details. 

[RubblesPH]

" I would love to see baiting back. it would save me a lot time and gas."

Many people that didn't have the opportunity to bait in the past have this impression.....Many would be very surprised to see what it actually takes to establish a productive/reliable bait site. 

[Timberstalker]

" I would love to see baiting back. it would save me a lot time and gas."

Many people that didn't have the opportunity to bait in the past have this impression.....Many would be very surprised to see what it actually takes to establish a productive/reliable bait site.

I agree.  It helps locate the bears, and shows what time they are feeding(camera), but it doesn't guarantee they will move at legal shooting hours.  Also, there were some die hard bait hunters back in the day.
I will say, some of my greatest memories are from hunting bears over bait with my Dad, when it was still legal.

[haus]

" I would love to see baiting back. it would save me a lot time and gas."

Many people that didn't have the opportunity to bait in the past have this impression.....Many would be very surprised to see what it actually takes to establish a productive/reliable bait site.

donuts

[haus]

I would like to see a similiar method to what Alaska does. This would apply to spring permits, not general season.

Regarding Alaska and this subject, I've heard the timber companies up there choose to plant harvested and roadside areas with clover so as provide an alternative food source for the bears. Have a cousin logging up on Kodiak that says its actually quite effective.

[xXLojackXx]

What really gets me going is the number of bait stations run by Natives. Ban it for all, or none.

[h20hunter]

Oh snap.......