Baiting

[Westsideelkchaser]

I know you can’t bait bear however they are plentiful and a predator so I like seeing them killed. My dilemma is I had a hot spot that is still good but I have found a persons bait now for at least 4 years and it has made my hunting worthless as they hit the bait and not the berries. I’m actually pretty mad because I could easily kill a bear in a day when the berries are ripe now I keep finding the baiters site and all the bear sign is around that obviously and I find gut piles from bear they killed but when I try to report it it goes nowhere

[Dan-o]

Don't steal the camera. 
That's theft on your part whether their doing something illegal or not. 

Do report it.

Do follow up on it.

Good luck.

[hunter399]

Id definitely keep your face off there camera.
Id still hunt it but keep a distance,like 1000 yards away from that site. You shouldn't be punished,cause someone else is stupid.
10 points toward special permits ,if you don't turn them in somebody else will.

[duckmen1]

Yeah it sucks for sure. One year I was calling in a clear cut for bear. It was a thick cut so after calling I started creeping onto slash piles quietly and tried to glass. Looked down and found apples buried into to slash pile. Thought it was weird. So went onto another slash pile. Same thing. Looked up the ridge and saw a guy with rifle shouldered pointed right at me. I jumped down and crawled out of site. Realizing a baiter was there and taking aim at me. Scared and upset I called the warden. He followed up and went into investigate. He said every slash pile up there was full of apples and he planned to sit for a week straight up there till he caught them. I never did hear a follow up but was very happy to see the response of this warden. He was a good guy.

[fishngamereaper]

NFS, DNR , wdfw, or private timber Co.?

Timber Co. will bait and hire guys to whack and stack bears to save young tree's.

[Bowhunter3]

NFS, DNR , wdfw, or private timber Co.?

Timber Co. will bait and hire guys to whack and stack bears to save young tree's.

So I would assume it’s money that gives them the ability to bait?

[hunter399]

NFS, DNR , wdfw, or private timber Co.?

Timber Co. will bait and hire guys to whack and stack bears to save young tree's.

So I would assume it’s money that gives them the ability to bait?

Yes and no.
Property damage,which causes lost revenue in future timber.
It doesn't cost them anything to get damage permits, probably some pictures and locations of "damage"(money lost).

At the same time big timber does very little for promoting the average boot hunter.

So it's win,no win , situation.

[Alan K]

Depredation permits start when damage occurs in the spring through early summer.  They aren't issued beyond early July, and they aren't just for large timber companies. They are available to any timber owner experiencing damage.  They also are boot hunts only, no bait, no dogs, no traps.  The only ones able to use such methods are government agents.

If anyone is seeing bait in the woods this time of year, it needs reported.  No doubt illegal for the 99%, but maybe tribal?

[callturner]

Possibly deer or elk baits, up to 10 gal is allowed. Not everybody does it but it is legal. I use grain and alfalfa pellets. and apples. Not everybody is baiting bears. I start in june

[Westsideelkchaser]

It’s been reported hoping to hear a reply tomorrow. It’s on dnr land so not a private timber company and I bait deer also so I can 100% tell it’s not for deer as it’s a lot of grease stains on wood and what looked like some dog food

[Jonathan_S]

Sounds like a place from which to move.

[buckfvr]

Sounds like a place from which to move.

X2   

[Cougartail]

Baiting coyotes is legal. Many do it and hunt with thermals at night.

Sucks but whoever is doing it can as long as he kills no bears at the site.

[hunter399]

Baiting coyotes is legal. Many do it and hunt with thermals at night.

Sucks but whoever is doing it can as long as he kills no bears at the site.

I didn't think of that.
People bait deer,elk,and all kinds of critters!

[boneaddict]

Its only illegal if they shoot a bear,  until they make all baiting illegal its all good.    I think tribal can also bait bear.  I dont know that for a fact, but they can run hounds so why not?

[buckfvr]

I know a guy who lost his license for 5 years for " intent to hunt bear over bait", and was told also that if you are even hunting deer/elk over bait and have a bear tag in your pocket, you are guilty of intent.  Make no mistake, if you get the ticket, you wont get out of it even with a lawyer.

[HillHound]

Looks like you may be on the west side but over here on the dry side I have definitely seen Who I believed to be the Yakima tribe with bait barrels in the back of their trucks up in their regular jerky slaying grounds. I don’t ask too many questions anymore after I did speak up to a warden and was told I would be ticketed for harassing them when I questioned a mass slaughter of elk out of season. Not sure if this was a barrel bait or if they just put it in a slash pile. If it was tribal I would definitely say there would be a barrel and they probably wouldn’t be too worried about hiding it since they can’t get in trouble. I’m not sure about bear baiting but if it was for coyotes you would think there would be a viewing point from a pretty long distance away especially if they are using thermal at night I don’t think the blind or tree stand would be set up 40 yards away.

[fishngamereaper]

Guess since baiting is illegal in most of Mnt Baker/ Snoq. NF it's not to long before all other land follows so we won't have to worry about the grey areas or interpretation of rules.

As for the OP I'd relocate spots. Not worth the trouble.

[HillHound]

I would also look for a different spot for sure. And unfortunately I think this time next year baiting is going to be the last thing we’re even talking about. Looks more like we’re gonna be talking about the good ol  days when we could even shoot a bear or a coyote, or any predator with the way our game commission is going. Well we will probably all shoot a lot more actually. Except they will be in our yard in the act of deprivation and we will be constantly calling WDFW to come pick their property up and take it to the dump Instead of us paying them for the tag and putting it in our freezer

[dilleytech]

Its only illegal if they shoot a bear,  until they make all baiting illegal its all good.    I think tribal can also bait bear.  I dont know that for a fact, but they can run hounds so why not?

I believe it’s illegal if you have a bear tag in your pocket. Which to them could show intent to kill a bear over bait.

[hunter399]

Its only illegal if they shoot a bear,  until they make all baiting illegal its all good.    I think tribal can also bait bear.  I dont know that for a fact, but they can run hounds so why not?

I believe it’s illegal if you have a bear tag in your pocket. Which to them could show intent to kill a bear over bait.

Good to know,cause of I ever archery hunt over bait from a tree stand. Maybe I'll hold off on buying my bear tag.

[Klickitatsteelie]

As long as your bear tag is not on your person while hunting deer or elk over bait you are ok. Leave it in the truck and you will be fine.

[hunter399]

As long as your bear tag is not on your person while hunting deer or elk over bait you are ok. Leave it in the truck and you will be fine.

Nice to know too.
It would be nice of wdfw to clear up this stuff up.

[callturner]

Sounds like a croc to me. My tags are always with me and always will be. I'll take my chances.  Im not going to bend down and  kiss the depts ass every time they squat to take a leek. I will hunt legally. Next someone will say your shooting a 30 cal rifle so you must be bear hunting. Or you have boots on so you must be bear hunting. Sheesh, whats next?

[hunter399]

Sounds like a croc to me. My tags are always with me and always will be. I'll take my chances.  Im not going to bend down and  kiss the depts ass every time they squat to take a leek. I will hunt legally. Next someone will say your shooting a 30 cal rifle so you must be bear hunting. Or you have boots on so you must be bear hunting. Sheesh, whats next?

Well I kinda agree.
That's why I said wdfw should clear it up some.
I've never left a tag in the truck,or at home.
I'm not an archery hunter, Haven't hunted over bait,(for deer or elk) in a long time. I've hunted near the salt blocks  for deer or elk,I place for deer and elk. (Not over them).
Never shot a bear near my trail cam spots that have salt.
Never seen a bear eat a salt block,always come in a sniff the area around it. Then try to eat my cams.
And I have picture proof of that.
Heck even the cubs climb the tree and attempt to eat the camera over the salt.

I guess if I could ask a warden is.
See a bear while checking my cams that have a block of salt with nothing eles,can I hunt it.
I know a lot of guys will say salt is an attractant.
I don't believe it is for bears in block form.They won't eat it. They will flip it over,then move on to trying to eat the cam.
Like said I have picture proof of that.
Most bears I get on cam,is like one or two times a year.(if it was an attractant they would be there daily,weekly,even monthly)
I believe they are just sniffing the site,due to ungulates in the area.
Just like cougar or any other predator. I suppose cougars are eating my salt blocks too. Bobcats too.
Rabbits do eat on the block at nite.

But at the end of the day,my interpretation of attractant,and a warden vision of what an attractant is may be totally different.
That's probably my biggest gripe.

That's why I use salt in block form,cause other methods was costly due to bears eating the bait,I was placing for deer and elk.
Thank God I've only seen one bear ,while checking a cam,and didn't have a rifle or weapon anyway.

[dilleytech]

Sounds like a croc to me. My tags are always with me and always will be. I'll take my chances.  Im not going to bend down and  kiss the depts ass every time they squat to take a leek. I will hunt legally. Next someone will say your shooting a 30 cal rifle so you must be bear hunting. Or you have boots on so you must be bear hunting. Sheesh, whats next?

That’s fine but the fact remains. It’s pretty simple. You’re sitting over bait bears are eating. You have a bear tag in your pocket and you say “ nuh uh! I’m not bear hunting” true or not its irrelevant in that moment.

Those other examples are pretty far from the same realm of reality though lol

[Westsideelkchaser]

I am very happy I got a response I did not have my phone to take pics of the sight but was able to use onX to basically pin point coordinates and after enough emails with my phone number included I got a call from an actual officer and was able to give all jists of the situation and how many times I’ve came across this persons bait in previous years and sounds like they have a case however I was obviously told not to hunt close to it a real distance was not identified just basically don’t sit the bait no brainer…was also told it’s near impossible to make a case on baiting which is sad they know who it is but can’t make a case unless undoubtably the bear is killed on bait but I do guess that makes sense for Wa but this officer gave me hope he had heart and still wanted to proceed so even if I don’t hear back hopefully I don’t see bait in there next year I mean I also wouldn’t mind bonus points but that’s not the goal I would just like to be able to hunt comfortably in an area I know bears are heavily populated without worrying about getting hit for bait in the area

[Westsideelkchaser]

FYI for those saying it may be native hunting I mean could be but baiting outside of the res is not legal for them atleast on the peninsula my ol lady is native and if that was possible she’d have some big bear on the wall

[huntnnw]

Depredation permits start when damage occurs in the spring through early summer.  They aren't issued beyond early July, and they aren't just for large timber companies. They are available to any timber owner experiencing damage.  They also are boot hunts only, no bait, no dogs, no traps.  The only ones able to use such methods are government agents.

If anyone is seeing bait in the woods this time of year, it needs reported.  No doubt illegal for the 99%, but maybe tribal?

Report a bait ? There’s thousands upon thousands of people baiting deer and elk right now.

[buckfvr]

I know a guy who lost his license for 5 years for " intent to hunt bear over bait", and was told also that if you are even hunting deer/elk over bait and have a bear tag in your pocket, you are guilty of intent.  Make no mistake, if you get the ticket, you wont get out of it even with a lawyer.

This is a fact, it happened to a guy I know, its not some random thought I had.

[huntnnw]

I know a guy who lost his license for 5 years for " intent to hunt bear over bait", and was told also that if you are even hunting deer/elk over bait and have a bear tag in your pocket, you are guilty of intent.  Make no mistake, if you get the ticket, you wont get out of it even with a lawyer.

This is a fact, it happened to a guy I know, its not some random thought I had.

Only way they would know that is if you offered up that info to a warden. Good luck looking on my persons for it

[idahohuntr]

I know a guy who lost his license for 5 years for " intent to hunt bear over bait", and was told also that if you are even hunting deer/elk over bait and have a bear tag in your pocket, you are guilty of intent.  Make no mistake, if you get the ticket, you wont get out of it even with a lawyer.

I feel like there has to be a lot more to this story/case.  Not doubting the outcome or what you posted, but it seems like a whole lot of additional contexts and facts would be necessary to have this as an outcome. 

[huntnnw]

 

[buckfvr]

Of course there's more to it than the outcome, but I'm not at the liberty of sharing details. 

[Mtnwalker]

I know a guy who lost his license for 5 years for " intent to hunt bear over bait", and was told also that if you are even hunting deer/elk over bait and have a bear tag in your pocket, you are guilty of intent.  Make no mistake, if you get the ticket, you wont get out of it even with a lawyer.

I feel like there has to be a lot more to this story/case.  Not doubting the outcome or what you posted, but it seems like a whole lot of additional contexts and facts would be necessary to have this as an outcome.

Maybe. Seems like they let repeat offenders off easily and then pick a random guy to throw the book at every once in a while so hard telling.

[Tbar]

I know a guy who lost his license for 5 years for " intent to hunt bear over bait", and was told also that if you are even hunting deer/elk over bait and have a bear tag in your pocket, you are guilty of intent.  Make no mistake, if you get the ticket, you wont get out of it even with a lawyer.

I feel like there has to be a lot more to this story/case.  Not doubting the outcome or what you posted, but it seems like a whole lot of additional contexts and facts would be necessary to have this as an outcome.

Usually the result is part of the negotiations and prosecutors love to expedite nr crimes with reasonable outcomes.

[harveymarv]

a different perspective:

- I personally won’t break any fish and game laws.

- there are some WDFW game laws I agree with, and some I don’t.

- If I catch someone doing something illegal and unethical (ie a law I agree with) I’ll turn em in.

- If I see someone doing something illegal but I don’t agree with the law being broken, I’ll probably turn my blind eye towards said activity.

IE if I was the OP I woulda just looked for a new site (or sat the travel route to the bait 400 yards away). Same thing if I see someone shoot an extra large coyote, etc…

As has been pointed out, our days hunting bear and cougar in WA are limited, unless the lawsuit against Inslee succeeds and we get a balanced commission.

[callturner]

So  if I'm sitting watching a salt block and a bear comes in and Mr. warden sees me watching the bear without a hint of harassing it, I can get cited? Ill take my chances.

[hunter399]

So  if I'm sitting watching a salt block and a bear comes in and Mr. warden sees me watching the bear without a hint of harassing it, I can get cited? Ill take my chances.

I definitely won't be hunting over salt to shoot this little dink.
3 month soak,only bear on the cam.
Pulled cam,took salt with me.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[callturner]

I have 6 different bears using mine. Sows, boars, cubs, 5 or6 bucks, moose, 2 coyotes, turkeys, rabbits, several does and fawns. I haven't had any elk for 2 months, but they do show up occasionally. I think getting a ticket for having a tag in your pocket would be like getting a DWI for having a 6 pack in your front seat unopened. It aint happening!

[hunter399]

I have 6 different bears using mine. Sows, boars, cubs, 5 or6 bucks, moose, 2 coyotes, turkeys, rabbits, several does and fawns. I haven't had any elk for 2 months, but they do show up occasionally. I think getting a ticket for having a tag in your pocket would be like getting a DWI for having a 6 pack in your front seat unopened. It aint happening!

I agree,that would be the equivalent.

[vandeman17]

Sitting in a tree stand with alfalfa out during archery deer/elk and a bear comes in. Are we all saying I could not shoot said bear because of my alfalfa out that the bear has zero intent on consuming and was not the reason it passed through?

[hunter399]

Sitting in a tree stand with alfalfa out during archery deer/elk and a bear comes in. Are we all saying I could not shoot said bear because of my alfalfa out that the bear has zero intent on consuming and was not the reason it passed through?

Not saying you can't shoot it. That's up to you.
Just as it's up to the warden to interpret what an attractant is.
Seems the same exact situation as salt to me.
Bear is not gonna eat my salt block,at the same time if a warden decides salt block or alfalfa is an attractant then that's another story.

Not saying what I would do,not saying what's legal or not.
My advise would be to keep that part of your harvest story to yourself. In that situation.
That's all I'm saying.
I have heard a few story's of archery hunters shooting bears,with corn,apples, alfalfa,sweet cob,and such.
Never heard of any getting trouble.
But I'm not them,and I don't believe they told many people.
And I don't archery hunt ,so it not a problem that I have.
But I do use salt blocks,and check my cams. That's where my problem lies.

[callturner]

I would not shoot around my salt either. It is defiantly an attractant, The bears love it. I also use alfalfa pellets, deer and moose like that and elk when their around.