Baiting?

[Hornseeker]

I keep seeing all these cam setups with bait.... is it really legal in Washington to use baits to attract wildlife?

Is it legal to "bait" deer and elk? I already know its not legal to bait bears...

Is it legal to "bait" them for non-hunting reasons?

Just curious. In Montana we aren't allowed to "feed" the wildlife at all...except for bird feeders on private property.

E

[Woodchuck]

it is legal to bait deer and elk in this state, no it doesnt make any sense, but it is leagal

[Hornseeker]

Where in the regs does it show this stuff? I was looking on line and couldnt find it, but googling it showed many discussions about the legality of baiting deer in Washington...

E

[Hornseeker]

http://fwp.mt.gov/news/article_8066.aspx

And if you "happen" to have a bear walk into your "deer bait" you can kill it right? Cause...you weren't "baiting bear"... just baiting deer.

[Woodchuck]

i actually read it on the website, it was part of a season setting survey that said something to the effect, it is currently legal, should it continue to be? i was a little surprised, i will look see if i can find it in the regs

[Buckrub]

  Careful what you speak of....baiting subject could be a hunting ban.
What you may think of salt licks and apples on the ground, others may think hunting over any deer feeding areas as bait.

[Woodchuck]

i guess i am not sure what you mean, the blurb i read said it is currently legal in washington, it was wdfw survey

[Craig]

I sent a e mail to WDFW and this is what I got back.

Baiting deer is lawful.  However, there are no regulations regarding types or method of distribution.
 
Thank you,
 
WDFW, Enforcement Program
360-902-2936
FAX: 360-902-2155
 
Poaching hotline 1-877-933-9847
WDFW website: http://wdfw.wa.gov/
Enforcement website: http://wdfw.wa.gov/enf/enforce.htm
Report a Poacher (TIP): http://wdfw.wa.gov/enf/poaching.htm

[Woodchuck]

thank you for checking on that, i didnt think it was, till i did that survey

[jackelope]

What i am always curious is once bear season rolls around and guys start hunting, and the bears are conditioned to coming in to the mineral blocks, does everyone hunt in different areas so as to not be hunting bears over bait?
if you do hunt a different area than the baited cam areas, then whats the point of the baited cam sites?

[jackelope]

or at that point that the baits are gone, is it no longer baiting because the baits are gone even though the animals are conditioned to come in to the baits?
i do have trail cams but have not used bait yet...just curious of everyone's honest take on this.

[Hornseeker]

Well...I do think its cool to be able to use attractants to get trail cam pics or even to hunt over, but conditioning bears, especially near suburbs and such, to eat human food and such, usually leads to probs for the bears...

 

[SHANE(WA)]

and what about drippings and grease? this stuff heats up and melts right into the ground and last for weeks amd stinks to high hell, is this baiting? its not food

[saylean]

Me personally, I would avoid hunting bears over any previous trail cam site that had bait on it (recently) just to remain safe.

there are plenty of berry patch baits that nature has laid out for me instead. these are still legal ...for now...

[jackelope]

and what about drippings and grease? this stuff heats up and melts right into the ground and last for weeks amd stinks to high hell, is this baiting? its not food

yes it's bait.
  you put it there to attract the animals....it's bait.