Return of baiting bears in Washington.

[shootem]

I just heard on the news there was a Washington court decision today that declares it is NOT illegal to run hounds and bait bears on private timberland in Washington. Please add any information you hear. I am on my way to talk to Weyerhoeuser.

[Bob33]

https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,213706.0.html

[Wetwoodshunter]

sub

[ThurstonCokid]

Following.


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[bobcat]

Yeah it never was illegal. So this court ruling is no surprise. The law has an exemption for private landowners so they can still kill bears with bait and dogs.

[Stein]

It's pretty limited, but yeah, Bobcat is right as stated by the court.  What isn't known is if the groups will try to get something on the ballot to modify the law.

[buglebuster]

Yeah it never was illegal. So this court ruling is no surprise. The law has an exemption for private landowners so they can still kill bears with bait and dogs.

Does that mean we can bait bears on any private land?

[KFhunter]

Yeah it never was illegal. So this court ruling is no surprise. The law has an exemption for private landowners so they can still kill bears with bait and dogs.

Does that mean we can bait bears on any private land?

Still in the WDFW rules, they would need to change them to reflect the new exception first??


I'm not sure!

[bobcat]

Yeah it never was illegal. So this court ruling is no surprise. The law has an exemption for private landowners so they can still kill bears with bait and dogs.

Does that mean we can bait bears on any private land?

I'm not sure exactly how the law is written but pretty sure the exemption only applies to private timber companies.

[Stein]

I think the ruling had more to do with dogs.  The news and anti's brought up baiting.

“Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit the killing of black bear, cougar, bobcat, or lynx with the aid of a dog or dogs 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. A dog or dogs may be used by the owner or tenant of real property consistent with a permit issued and conditioned by the director.”

[actionshooter]

Basically all this means is that the timber companies can start running their hired guns again and we are going to be SOL.

[huntnnw]

wonder what that means on us east side guys that hunt IEP,Hancock and priest river land.

[bobcat]

Basically all this means is that the timber companies can start running their hired guns again and we are going to be SOL.

They never stopped, did they?

[Tbar]

Basically all this means is that the timber companies can start running their hired guns again and we are going to be SOL.

They never stopped, did they?

Yes, all permits were pulled.

[idahohuntr]

I wouldn't start looking for bear bait just yet...pretty sure the exception applies for damage/depredation issues caused by bears and confirmed by wdfw...not some generic exception that allows bait on private lands.