What is the WSB stance on Baiting for deer & Elk?

[Elkstuffer]

 Since this is a legal method of hunting at this time, I would like to hear if you plan on attending the commissioners meetings and working for the archery hunters of Washington that do choose to use this method as another hunting option.

[Buckrub]

Isn't hunting on a natural feed patch baiting?
I'm done with Washington... Until they value the money I spend here with better management... seeya
Idaho elk... Alaska deer... already booked

[Todd_ID]

This topic is going to be heard at the March Commission meeting as part of the Game management Plan and Regulations/Seasons topic.  3 choices will be given to the Commisisoners to pick one with the new WDFW Game Manager giving no support or detraction to any of the choices: a complete baiting ban, a baiting ban except youth and disabled allowed to use bait with baiting on private land legal with a 10 gal per site limit, or a 10 gal maximum per site limit on any lands. 

We in WSB realize that a change in baiting rules will affect many bowhunters, so we wrote a strong position statement to the Commission against any ban in any form.  (Believe it or not, a well written position statement is more effective than the 3 minutes at a Commission meeting.  But, yes, we plan to be at the meeting, anyway.)  The problem is that a very few think the outfitters and hunters who choose to dump large amounts of bait in one site is causing a bad public perception; those against this are very vocal, so the WDFW thinks it is a problem when reality is likely completely different.  I expect the 10 gal limit to be adopted because of the vocal minority, but I feel strongly that no change should be made without solid evidence necessitating the change. 

[Todd_ID]

Isn't hunting on a natural feed patch baiting?
I'm done with Washington... Until they value the money I spend here with better management... seeya
Idaho elk... Alaska deer... already booked

Food plots and anything natural is not baiting per the WAC. 

The second part of your statement is the very crux of the problem.  There are too many apathetic hunters who choose not to hold the WDFW accountable for managing the game properly.  I choose to proactively participate whenever I can so my grandson will be able to enjoy hunting like I have.  You've made your choice, and I'm making mine; both choices are to be respected.

[DOUBLELUNG]

I don't think we need a new law.  Public land management agencies already have existing laws restricting dumping or building structures on lands under their respective jurisdictions - where there is an issue those rules should be enforced.

On private property, it should be the owner's prerogative to decide whether or not legal baiting occurs on their property.  Baiting is an extremely valuable tool for safely and legally harvesting game in the urban/rural interface where it is most challenging to effect sufficient harvests to address vehicle collisions, nuisance/conflicts, and attraction of predators into areas where the potential for human conflicts increases. 

[Elkstuffer]

Thank you for addressing this Todd and also for everything that you and the WSB are doing, not only for bow hunters but hunters in general. I had a pretty good idea of what your response was going to be but thought it was important to get it out there for all to see. Thanks again!

[ribka]

Thanks for your hard work Todd

This topic is going to be heard at the March Commission meeting as part of the Game management Plan and Regulations/Seasons topic.  3 choices will be given to the Commisisoners to pick one with the new WDFW Game Manager giving no support or detraction to any of the choices: a complete baiting ban, a baiting ban except youth and disabled allowed to use bait with baiting on private land legal with a 10 gal per site limit, or a 10 gal maximum per site limit on any lands. 

We in WSB realize that a change in baiting rules will affect many bowhunters, so we wrote a strong position statement to the Commission against any ban in any form.  (Believe it or not, a well written position statement is more effective than the 3 minutes at a Commission meeting.  But, yes, we plan to be at the meeting, anyway.)  The problem is that a very few think the outfitters and hunters who choose to dump large amounts of bait in one site is causing a bad public perception; those against this are very vocal, so the WDFW thinks it is a problem when reality is likely completely different.  I expect the 10 gal limit to be adopted because of the vocal minority, but I feel strongly that no change should be made without solid evidence necessitating the change.

[4fletch]

Thank you Todd, Shawn and all the others supporting WSB

[popeshawnpaul]

WSB stands for keeping baiting legal if one chooses.  There are some vocal few that believe they should legislate their morals on everyone.  Simply don't bait if you don't believe it's morally right.  Perhaps spend the time fighting anti's and others that threaten hunting instead of going down the road of splitting the hunting community.

[bearpaw]

WSB stands for keeping baiting legal if one chooses.  There are some vocal few that believe they should legislate their morals on everyone.  Simply don't bait if you don't believe it's morally right.  Perhaps spend the time fighting anti's and others that threaten hunting instead of going down the road of splitting the hunting community.

   Extremely well said! 

[bobcat]

Here are the proposals that they just posted today:

[bobcat]

I didn't get everything regarding baiting posted last night, so here's the rest. (I assume the commission will need to pick one of these three options)

[popeshawnpaul]

On the WSB FB page it seems there are a few that want baiting illegal.  I'm surprised really.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Washington-State-Bowhunters/489023957775769?fref=nf

[DOUBLELUNG]

Shawn is any of this applicable? It seems the intent is for there to be a scientific basis for changes.
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=34.05.271

[Jingles]

While I support those that will be attending the meeting and I support that no changes be made that would prohibit baiting by any hunter the experiences I have had with the public meetings with WDFW is like Pizzing on a wildfire.
As a small scale miner we had numerous public meetings with WDFW prior to their latest revision of the Gold and Fish Pamphlet and presented all kinds of scientific studies and they ignored it all and so much as told us to go pizz up a rope. Consequentially I don't expect much more from these meetings although I hope for the best......I figure they already have the greenie minds made up and it doesn't matter what is said nothing is going to change it. short complete change of decision making personnel.