Baiting: A possible solution?

[bearpaw]

Maybe the solution is limiting baiting to private lands? I have ran across old bait sites on public lands that were left quite a mess.

We talked about that, but that penalizes hunters who don't own land where they can hunt, so it doesn't seem fair

[bearpaw]

How about we leave private land baiting alone (I think quantity limitations are fine for both private and public).  Public land baiting could require a visible label somewhere with the baiter's contact info on it.  I think the distance restriction would have to be a lot less for public land, like 50-100 yards from a road. I don't think there needs to be any restriction pertaining to proximity to water, what is the point of that?  It's not like people are using oils or fats for baiting deer/elk.

 

some of the biggest problems are on private land

[bearpaw]

If you have a baiting situation that will not work under any of these rules please explain why and offer a reasonable solution?

I have four 1/2 acre properties that I can bait/hunt, they all run along a road and are all less than 200 yards deep.  One property I have hunted is eight acres and has the same description as it is long and skinny.  And, before I hear, those aren't big enough to hunt anyways, I have permission to recover animals from most adjoining properties.

Reasonable solution --> No restrictions besides amount on private land!

Can you simply place the bait out of sight from the road, so it doesn't anger passerby's? You say you have permission so all other rules should not be a problem.

[bearpaw]

The situations described by Loki are why I cannot get behind many rules, especially baiting. If Im on private land then it should be up to the owner. Rules get convoluted and hard to understand because  we make them that way.... I dont want to contribute the to  complication of our sport... THAT reduces recruitment, and THAT causes people to quit...

From what I understand the commission may not want the "no change option".

What if this is the choice: 
Reasonable rules we offer or Rules written by people who may not understand baiting?

[bearpaw]

I attended the public meeting with WDFW today in Moses Lake.  Baiting was discussed and everyone who wanted to speak on the topic had to sign up and then was allowed 3 minutes.  It went very well.  Everyone was respectful and cordial.  Lots of good ideas were discussed too.  They were kicking around the 10 gallon limit for baiting but we're hanging up with enforceability. 
It wasn't until I left that I realized maybe we should be discussing bait food types versus volume issues.  Apples seemed to be the point of conflict.  They don't offer quality nutrition that the deer and elk need, especially late season. 
So why not focus our efforts baiting type regulations and not so much quantities.  Alfalfa hay and salt blocks, especially with selenium, would offer longer term benefits to elk and deer. 
What do you guys think of this?

So to condense this into simple language that fits the suggested format:

not contain apples or molasses (added to first post)

[grundy53]

I don't understand the reason for the distances.

A distance provides an accurate measurement for the hunter and for LE.

I understand that. What I don't understand is the need to have the distances to begin with. If there is no distance limitation then there is no need for an accurate measurement from hunter or LE. I don't like the 1/4 mile from a public road and I don't like the 50 feet from a stream. I can understand a limit on quantity of bait but not these arbitrary distances.

[grundy53]

How about we leave private land baiting alone (I think quantity limitations are fine for both private and public).  Public land baiting could require a visible label somewhere with the baiter's contact info on it.  I think the distance restriction would have to be a lot less for public land, like 50-100 yards from a road. I don't think there needs to be any restriction pertaining to proximity to water, what is the point of that?  It's not like people are using oils or fats for baiting deer/elk.

 

 

If we have to change our baiting rules this would be my vote.

[bearpaw]

I don't understand the reason for the distances.

A distance provides an accurate measurement for the hunter and for LE.

I understand that. What I don't understand is the need to have the distances to begin with. If there is no distance limitation then there is no need for an accurate measurement from hunter or LE. I don't like the 1/4 mile from a public road and I don't like the 50 feet from a stream. I can understand a limit on quantity of bait but not these arbitrary distances.

My position: I would rather have no rules.

But what if this is the choice: 
Reasonable rules that we offer or Rules written by people who may not understand baiting?

[Lucky1]

My property is 1 acre. I have been baiting deer here for years. The farthest I can put my bait from the road is 80 yards. That puts the bait about 10 yards from a seasonal creek. Your limitations would make it illegal for me to bait on my property. I use apples.

[jasnt]

I don't understand the reason for the distances.

A distance provides an accurate measurement for the hunter and for LE.

I understand that. What I don't understand is the need to have the distances to begin with. If there is no distance limitation then there is no need for an accurate measurement from hunter or LE. I don't like the 1/4 mile from a public road and I don't like the 50 feet from a stream. I can understand a limit on quantity of bait but not these arbitrary distances.

sounds to me that the distance rule would only apply if it was visible from a county road.

[KFhunter]

Why are we even capitulating on this?

A person looking to find a problem can find one in just about anything a person does, demonize it - and get another "rule" or law passed.

I'm sick of it, just leave us the heck alone 

[Lucky1]

Why are we even capitulating on this?

A person looking to find a problem can find one in just about anything a person does, demonize it - and get another "rule" or law passed.

I'm sick of it, just leave us the heck alone 

 
I agree. There is not really a need for the law. The restrictions are proposed by anti hunters and they get people who hunt to agree with them by playing on their emotions.

[LeviD1]

Personally, whatever they change the laws to I dont see getting enforced properly. Its not like washington has a ton of wardens to begin with, then on top of that they are going to walk through every persons property in Washington to see if they are baiting and if so if they are doing it within the rules of the law and is that even legal? Not to mention all the public land that people do set bait out on. They going to walk through all the wilderness in washington looking for bait along every stream..... I think they just need to continue doing the job their doing and if they catch someone baiting on public land that is using anything non biodegradable then ticket them for littering. I honestly just dont see how really much of it is going to be enforced.

[Brad Harshman]

Why are we even capitulating on this?

A person looking to find a problem can find one in just about anything a person does, demonize it - and get another "rule" or law passed.

I'm sick of it, just leave us the heck alone 

 
I agree. There is not really a need for the law. The restrictions are proposed by anti hunters and they get people who hunt to agree with them by playing on their emotions.

Today at the WDFW meeting, it was NOT anti-hunters wishing for baiting restrictions.  It was fellow hunters.  But they didn't want to see total outlaw of baiting, they wanted to see the excessive baiting to be put in check. 
It sounds like it's the guides in the Okanogan that are causing the ruckus.  Other hunters are sick of it.  The guides are making money from our state's deer without regulation (unlike fishing guides).  The guides are altering migration routes with these dump truck loads of snicker bars (apples).  They're pulling deer from other hunter's property. 
It's a big enough deal for them to start calling out this baiting practice.  I heard it first hand today. 

[jasnt]

That I can understand