Baiting

[Mallardmasher]

I was doing some reading, and was appalled that 59% of the hunters polled by WDFW where against baiting for deer and elk. If it is not something you enjoy, don't stab a brother in the back. We continue to sabotage ourselves and loose opertunity, one day they will be coming after a venue, you enjoy. And those brothers that you poked in the back, will not stand shoulder to shoulder and fight for the few remaining rights, we have left with you. Even if not your focus, remember United we Stand and Devided we fall. They are coming at us from all at sides.
Better to just say you don't have a comment, then bury a hatchet. Hunting and fishing user groups spend more time going after different groups in their sport, then the Anti's do, which plays right into their hands, weaken the masses and attack, that is what they are waiting for.
Support all aspects of hunting, even if not your forte. One day it will be your passion. United we Stand

[UrbanTrapper]

Well said! If baiting for deer were "so unfair" the Blacktail Deer seasons would not be so long.

[Oh Mah]

Agreed,  also people need to realize that it is a multi million dollar business that they want to put an end to.

[winshooter88]

Urbantrapper,

I am curious how the length of blacktail season means anything about baiting rules, could you please explain?

[elkchaser54]

So in the Midwest, baiting (putting down corn, feed or pumpkins) is illegal but planting a field of grass or clover that deer love is legal.  I have always felt that it creates quite the gray area, that favors someone who owns land vs a public land hunter who can't plant something.  I think Washington has it right to keep it legal because the "legal" version of baiting like you see on every hunting show, planting food plots is totally okay while laying down some apples is illegal.  I don't bait myself but if that's how you wanna hunt go for it. 

[Stein]

I agree to an extent, but there are limits.  For example, I support banning drones while hunting.  If that is stabbing someone in the back, then so be it, I don't think they have any place in hunting.  There could be guys that feel the same way about baiting.  Without doubt, sitting over a pile of donuts or apples is a much different experience than spot and stalk or hanging out in a tree stand, so there is a possibility that some people have strong opinions against it.

I don't see anything wrong with healthy discussion and debate, we have rules around hunting and I would think it perfectly normal and beneficial to have discussions about what those rules should be.

It isn't always cut and dried, if you allow something new or take something away it may impact the number of tags issued or the length of season which would impact the other hunters that may not be into that thing.  People have the tendency to only look at their season and not take into account others and how what they want impacts more than just themselves.

[AL WORRELLS KID]

Urbantrapper,

I am curious how the length of blacktail season means anything about baiting rules, could you please explain?

Someone say..... "BAIT AND SWITCH" 

Doug

[Igor]

Baiting of deer and elk violates the concept of fair chase.  Just my 2˘.

[aman]

One thing consider is that baiting will attract a lot of deer to a single location where can be potentially spread a disease to each other.

[Bob33]

I agree to an extent, but there are limits.  For example, I support banning drones while hunting.  If that is stabbing someone in the back, then so be it, I don't think they have any place in hunting.  There could be guys that feel the same way about baiting.  Without doubt, sitting over a pile of donuts or apples is a much different experience than spot and stalk or hanging out in a tree stand, so there is a possibility that some people have strong opinions against it.

I don't see anything wrong with healthy discussion and debate, we have rules around hunting and I would think it perfectly normal and beneficial to have discussions about what those rules should be.

It isn't always cut and dried, if you allow something new or take something away it may impact the number of tags issued or the length of season which would impact the other hunters that may not be into that thing.  People have the tendency to only look at their season and not take into account others and how what they want impacts more than just themselves.

Agreed. What really divides hunters is the fallacy that hunters must all be of one mind on every subject, and if you don't agree with ME then you are an anti-hunter.

[BULLBLASTER]

Where is the popcorn emoji?
These threads usually get pretty lively 

[Lucky1]

Baiting of deer and elk violates the concept of fair chase.  Just my 2˘.

Just wondering how you feel about someone shooting elk or deer that are eating apples in a apple orchard or apple trees planted by a old homestead? Would that be “fair”?
Hunters often target animals by locating food sources and killing them coming or going or in the food plot. Is this unethical?
Why would you care how anyone else legally fills their tag? Do you want to impose your personal ethics on other hunters? If so, why?

[Salmonstalker]

 

[StoneTrees]

The overall impression I've gained from other hunters in the last year or so of getting familiar with hunting is that the overall deer population in Washington is hurting.  In that kind of environment, does baiting contribute to or detract from the overall health of the population?

My current view on baiting is that it would lower the degree of difficulty required to harvest a deer to such a level that widespread adoption of the practice would noticeably reduce overall deer numbers year on year.  If we want to continue hunting season after season, it seems like the rules around what we can and cannot do need to be focused on what's in the best interests of the overall population.  If that's demonstrably wrong, please elaborate.

[dwils233]

I know one ongoing critique/concern with "concentrated" baiting is that in CWD states it brings lots of animals close together and could be a source of disease transmission.

If that were to be true and proven, than I support getting rid of a transmission vector like that, immediately in states with CWD and as soon as a CWD case is identified in a state. I think baiting in general isn't a black and white issue and shouldn't be treated as one. I wonder what all the possible answers were on that survey? I would tihnk most hunters in this state would probably pick "option C: its complicated" than just choosing between "oppose" and "support" if it was offered