HB 1838 Baiting for Spring Bear Season TERRIBLE NEWS

[bigtex]

Bigtex,

With this change is it still only open for landowners to bait in the spring or did it open it up for spring and fall? General and permit?

If a guy has a orchard and the bears are tearing things up could one get a permit?

It has nothing to do with hunting seasons, but rather simply damage being caused. Basically if I had bear damage I could call WDFW and they could issue be a kill permit and allow me to bait.

[bigtex]

Do the changes open the door for a timber company to lease a baiting permit for spring tag hunters on their land?  Would this allow a timber company to buy a permit and then sell a locational pass to a spring bear holder?

No.

So this would include landowners like timber companies right?

Correct.

Basically the only individuals who could bait under this bill now are the owners of the land. The owner cannot then permit other's to bait. So realistically it would apply to timber companies, however the only one in the company who could bait would be the actual owner of the company.

So, could I bait on my 1 1/4 acre?  I have wildlife all around my house and it's not in a firearm restricted area, just curious if I could bait on my property?  Of course to save my small trees from being eaten.  Thanks

You would have to prove to WDFW there is damage being done. WDFW must still issue a baiting permit. It's similar to how WDFW currently issues landowner permits for cougars, you must prove there is an issue first.

[trophyhunt]

Do the changes open the door for a timber company to lease a baiting permit for spring tag hunters on their land?  Would this allow a timber company to buy a permit and then sell a locational pass to a spring bear holder?

No.

So this would include landowners like timber companies right?

Correct.

Basically the only individuals who could bait under this bill now are the owners of the land. The owner cannot then permit other's to bait. So realistically it would apply to timber companies, however the only one in the company who could bait would be the actual owner of the company.

So, could I bait on my 1 1/4 acre?  I have wildlife all around my house and it's not in a firearm restricted area, just curious if I could bait on my property?  Of course to save my small trees from being eaten.  Thanks

You would have to prove to WDFW there is damage being done. WDFW must still issue a baiting permit. It's similar to how WDFW currently issues landowner permits for cougars, you must prove there is an issue first.

Had to ask.  But honestly, when we first moved in this area we had a blow up pool and one summer a bear bit our pool and popped it.  I wonder if he was swimming around in it? Would have been damn funny to see, but we could never repair the holes.  How did I know he bit it? Well I took one of my bear sculls outside and compared the bites, they lined up perfect with the canines and the smaller teeth. 

[carpsniperg2]

Bigtex,

With this change is it still only open for landowners to bait in the spring or did it open it up for spring and fall? General and permit?

If a guy has a orchard and the bears are tearing things up could one get a permit?

It has nothing to do with hunting seasons, but rather simply damage being caused. Basically if I had bear damage I could call WDFW and they could issue be a kill permit and allow me to bait.

I see. I know the original was for only spring.

[RadSav]

Years ago Weyeco baited their lands in order to keep bear out of young growth trees.  If they do the baiting and maintain it like they use to, can they charge hunters to hunt over these baits?  Seems to me as written there is a lot of possible loopholes   Just wondering if this opens the door for Weyco or other timber companies to get into the guide/outfitting business.  That could limit access even further!

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

Yeah!    timber companies already use bait?!???  And hunters can already hunt over bait on private timber companies land.  This would be under the spring permit and I'm not sure who issues the permit to bait. I don't get what changed.  Maybe more permits for bait from wdfw to the timber company? 

[headshot5]

I think you are right. While we all wanted to see the original bill pass, something is better then nothing. Maybe this year it opens it up for landowners to bait where there is damage. In 5 years another bill is passed that opens up the spring hunt to bait. 5 years later some or all of the fall units.

I think everyone wanted that grand slam or at least a home run with this bill, and we may end up with a single

At least it is still a step in the right direction.  I'm guessing that at some point it will move to proxy hunting.  This is because not all landowners are hunters, or are able to hunt.  At least it will help protect private property rights... (Allow landowner to protect his property against bear damage). 

[bearpaw]

I think you are right. While we all wanted to see the original bill pass, something is better then nothing. Maybe this year it opens it up for landowners to bait where there is damage. In 5 years another bill is passed that opens up the spring hunt to bait. 5 years later some or all of the fall units.

I think everyone wanted that grand slam or at least a home run with this bill, and we may end up with a single

At least it is still a step in the right direction.  I'm guessing that at some point it will move to proxy hunting.  This is because not all landowners are hunters, or are able to hunt.  At least it will help protect private property rights... (Allow landowner to protect his property against bear damage).

   Better than nothing and a step forward, baby steps can get us there eventually!

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Yeah!    timber companies already use bait?!???  And hunters can already hunt over bait on private timber companies land.  This would be under the spring permit and I'm not sure who issues the permit to bait. I don't get what changed.  Maybe more permits for bait from wdfw to the timber company?

 
Weyerhauser has been feeding (bait) them for years !! then chasing them with hounds !! Part of what I was told by WDFW years ago was the "spring damage" depredation permits were reduced to force WH into cooperating with the program in the Lincoln unit, but they still practiced it in the Vail tree-farm. I see that we are losing Lincoln in the proposals, and reenforcing a rule already in RCW 77.15.245
(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of RCW 77.12.240, *77.36.020, 77.36.030, or any other provisions of law, it is unlawful to take, hunt, or attract black bear with the aid of bait.

     (a) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit the killing of black bear with the aid of bait by employees or agents of county, state, or federal agencies while acting in their official capacities for the purpose of protecting livestock, domestic animals, private property, or the public safety.

     (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.

     (c) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit the director from issuing a permit or memorandum of understanding to a public agency, university, or scientific or educational institution for the use of bait to attract black bear for scientific purposes.

     (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.

[fireweed]

Do the changes open the door for a timber company to lease a baiting permit for spring tag hunters on their land?  Would this allow a timber company to buy a permit and then sell a locational pass to a spring bear holder?

Exactly.  Selling bears.  Currently the companies bait to keep bears from eating trees.  Its a big program with feeding stations and special "bear feed". Timber companies also can use hounds, bears donated to charity.  I know the timber manager that suggested the spring damage permit program to start with to provide an opportunity for the regular hunter to harvest a bear when they were doing damage.  (This was all before the land access permit trend).  Now--in the most egregious example of biting-the-hand-that-feeds-you, these same companies are CHARGING hunters to get rid of the bears that are ruining their trees!  With baiting, I can see them auctioning off bait station locations to certain hunters, all special rules to help BIG TIMBER with their tree-eating bears (while fleecing the hunters in the process).

[HighCountryHunter88]

Do the changes open the door for a timber company to lease a baiting permit for spring tag hunters on their land?  Would this allow a timber company to buy a permit and then sell a locational pass to a spring bear holder?

Exactly.  Selling bears.  Currently the companies bait to keep bears from eating trees.  Its a big program with feeding stations and special "bear feed". Timber companies also can use hounds, bears donated to charity.  I know the timber manager that suggested the spring damage permit program to start with to provide an opportunity for the regular hunter to harvest a bear when they were doing damage.  (This was all before the land access permit trend).  Now--in the most egregious example of biting-the-hand-that-feeds-you, these same companies are CHARGING hunters to get rid of the bears that are ruining their trees!  With baiting, I can see them auctioning off bait station locations to certain hunters, all special rules to help BIG TIMBER with their tree-eating bears (while fleecing the hunters in the process).

i dont know if that would happen, if they can only bait for depredation it would be just like they guys running dogs. they would have to turn over the bears to be donated. 

[sakoshooter]

Looks good to me.

[csaaphill]

haven't voted yet but I'm for it except the idea of only being able to get the darned thing in Olympia!

[csaaphill]

TERRIBLE NEWS

The committee did pass a substitute of this bill. HOWEVER, it came with significant changes. Under the bill only landowners can obtain a baiting permit to avoid bear damage to crops and livestock. The language that allowed spring bear hunters the ability to obtain a bait permit has been eliminated!

really then no then

[csaaphill]

they change the wording and a better option for eastsiders and no not Spokane either buyt at time of purchase OTC style then I'll say ok.