Baiting: A possible solution?

[bowtechian]

Seem more of a divide and conquer tactic to me seems like on fishing & hunting issues this is how the anti's with friends in places hack away @ us! Just my 0.02

[vandeman17]

I really like the combination of GMU specific regulations as it feels like the majority of this issue lies in a small area as well as visible distance from roads. I also support the quantity limit but think 10 gallons is little small. Some of my areas are multiple hour drives away and in prime time, those 10 gallons could be gone in a few days or less. Enforcing it would also be really tough and actually futile in my opinion. Maybe there is a way that the limit could be based on the type of bait being used? 

[Elkstuffer]

Seem more of a divide and conquer tactic to me seems like on fishing & hunting issues this is how the anti's with friends in places hack away @ us! Just my 0.02

That is exactly what it is bowtechian. That is why this is so disturbing to me. Other hunters that enjoy hunting and the outdoors just like everyone else want to attack each other and try to force "their" elitest ways on the rest of us. They think there way is the only way therefore the right way.

[bowtechian]

I wish the rule making was game management driven & not some mis-informed opinion also having under qualified ppl on the commission doesn't help either

[vandeman17]

I wish the rule making was game management driven & not some mis-informed opinion also having under qualified ppl on the commission doesn't help either

All it takes is a few Zike's to rattle enough cages. I 100% agree and have said all along that if you showed me that it was at all a detriment to the herd's health I would have no issue stopping baiting all together. Until then, its just emotional and that is no way to manage and resource.

[MtnMuley]

I'm definitely against restrictions.

I'm definitely for the health of the herd.  If a restriction needs to be put in place, do it.  If it isn't causing a problem with the herd health, leave it alone.

[Special T]

Here is my main problem with this issue. It is "Important" because several truck loads of apples were placed on private land, it was seen and benifited an outfitter.

There is NO WAY to prevent this without affecting the small scale property owner...

I would bet that you could also kill quite the stack of coyotes eating off that truckload of apples. 

[bearpaw]

Let's clarify a few things:

 - I am opposed to restrictions on baiting
 - I was told "NO CHANGE" is not an option for the Wildlife Commission
 - The most complaints are about certain outfitters dumping truckloads of apples in the Okanogan
 - The most serious issue seems to be those large bait piles on private land
 - WDFW has said large quantities of apples are bad for deer and changing migration patterns
 - USFS personnel have told me that large piles of hay on USFS lands are a concern
 - Water contamination should be considered, ask the Dept of Ecology what you can put in water

The goal is to find simple rules that address the problems without inhibiting the average hunter. I sent a message to the full Commission and to multiple WDFW personal asking for clarification of major baiting concerns. I have not received a reply from anyone so the above info is what I have available!

Additional Considerations:

 - Offer some reasonable rules rather than have people who do not understand baiting write new rules
 - Be considerate of the methods other hunters prefer
 - Baiting is the safest method to hunt suburban areas where deer/elk numbers need reduced
 - Rules should be avoided that prevent landowners of any size of private parcel from baiting
 - Many hunters do not own private hunting land so public land baiting is important to many hunters
 - If baiting is kept out of sight from public roadways that may reduce complaints
 - Rules must be simple for hunters to understand and measurable for enforceable by LEO's

Please consider these points, positive or negative comments are desired that are relevant to the conversation. Rants or provoking remarks will be removed, if you have nothing constructive to offer please don't comment, please start another topic. After considerable input including private property and public land concerns the following language has evolved. I will continue to modify the language as good points are made known!

REVISED

Baiting Restrictions
 - Bait placed on public land cannot be visible from less than 400 yards of an open public road
 - Bait cannot be placed in a lake, pond, or running stream
 - Bait sites cannot have more than 8 cubic feet* of bait placed on any day
 * 8 cubic feet = 59 Gallons = one bale 16"x18"x48"

Hunters on private land are encouraged to place bait out of sight from neighboring homes and passing traffic. Hunters on public land are encouraged to remove stands, blinds, and any remaining bait when hunting season closes.


Please offer your thoughts on this language?

[BULLBLASTER]

Why not incorporate some gmu restrictions bearpaw?

[bearpaw]

Why not incorporate some gmu restrictions bearpaw?

Why have more rules than we need to solve the problems? Would that be fair to hunters who bait in those GMU's who do not cause problems?

[Naches Sportsman]

I don't think baiting should be banned entirely on public land, but should be banned or extremely regulated within wilderness boundaries. Obnoxious and non native weeds are a problem and bait piles contribute to it.

Also, I think baiting should be regulated to be no less than 200 yds from riparian areas.

If bios do a study and it turns out baiting is bad for deer and elk health, I would be for totally banning it.

[Buckmark]

I wish the rule making was game management driven & not some mis-informed opinion also having under qualified ppl on the commission doesn't help either

All it takes is a few Zike's to rattle enough cages. I 100% agree and have said all along that if you showed me that it was at all a detriment to the herd's health I would have no issue stopping baiting all together. Until then, its just emotional and that is no way to manage and resource.

It won't be me you have to worry about, but one day someone will write an article. About you Bambi killers using bait to kill a poor deer. That will get the non hunters and anti hunters up it arms.

Me I'm just enjoying rattling your chains.

Articles about baiting have already been written and published by antihunters, non hunters are just that and can be educated about the benefits of baiting...
Oh and Bambi was way too small, now his dad on the other hand...

[Special T]

Why not incorporate some gmu restrictions bearpaw?

Why have more rules than we need to solve the problems? Would that be fair to hunters who bait in those GMU's who do not cause problems?

With that kind of logic BP you should be pushing for  an across the board volume limit regaurdless of  GMU.    Besides a few bails of hay doesnt affect the water, and the issue isnt hay its semi truck loads of apples... So make it 55 gal of fruit or 1 ton a hay.... 

Bambi tastes fine, kinda like veal...

[bearpaw]

Why not incorporate some gmu restrictions bearpaw?

Why have more rules than we need to solve the problems? Would that be fair to hunters who bait in those GMU's who do not cause problems?

With that kind of logic BP you should be pushing for  an across the board volume limit regaurdless of  GMU.    Besides a few bails of hay doesnt affect the water, and the issue isnt hay its semi truck loads of apples... So make it 55 gal of fruit or 1 ton a hay.... 

Bambi tastes fine, kinda like veal...

I'm not going to argue with you, post up your recommended language, let's see how it sounds to everyone. 

[bearpaw]

Is there anyone who can't bait under these rules?
Tell us why these rules would be unreasonable or if you think this is a better option than the other options I've outlined?

LATEST REVISION (after more input from forum members)
Baiting Restrictions
 - Bait placed on public land cannot be visible from less than 400 yards of an open public road
 - Bait cannot be placed in a lake, pond, or running stream
 - Bait sites cannot have more than 8 cubic feet* of bait placed any calendar day
 * 8 cubic feet = 59 Gallons = one bale 16"x18"x48"

Hunters on private land are encouraged to place bait out of sight from neighboring homes and passing traffic. Hunters on public land are encouraged to remove stands, blinds, and any remaining bait when hunting season closes.