Advice

[Machias]

I got a friend who spotted 4 nice bucks (I know this is the bear section, hang on).  He put out some deer cane and soaked some corn in apple flavored water and put up his trail cam.  Got some turkeys and a couple of deer the first couple of days and then bam he has 4 bears at the spot.  A sow with two BIG cubs that she'll be kicking out soon and one bear that almost made me fall over.  I have only seen a bear bigger then this a couple times in my life.  He doesn't hunt bear and I'm not hunting WA deer this year.  So I am planning on trying to call the fat boy in.  He has not put anything else out in the last few days and I imagine everything is cleaned up, BUT I don't know that for sure.  I don't want to hunt too close to this spot in case any "substance" or particles are still on the ground.  How close can I call without getting myself in a jam.  I've never been to the spot, but he has shown me on google earth and I plan on staying away from that area.  Do you think 100 yards would be far enough away?  Half a mile, maybe.  How long after a spot like that is clean up is it considered no longer baiting?  Is it 10 days?  For some reason I thought I read 10 days, but that may have been another state.

[MtnMuley]

Hmm.  I often wondered about the early bowhunters with their baits and stands coming home with bears.  You're situation is different from that, but still has me wondering.  If it were me and I really wanted to hunt that area, I would get a hold of the local warden from that area and ask him his opinion.  At least that way, you'll have the enforcement issue covered.

[Machias]

Probably good advice.  Thanks!

[billythekidrock]

I think calling the local agent for his opinion is a good idea.

The ones I have talked to about this subject indicate that there is no time limit and no distance limit.
Basically if they can assume it came in to a bait, came looking for past bait or is habituated in anyway then they will pop ya and you get to explain it to a judge. And we all know that they all have their own interpretations. 

[boneaddict]

I'd go hunt the mountain.  You don't know where the bait is, its not an active bait anymore, just go hunt. 

[boneaddict]

and good luck by the way!

[Machias]

I spoke with an officer and I'm going to steer clear of this big fella for this year.  There are plenty of other spots and other bears to chase.  He's a big boy, I imgaine he has a very good chance to be here next year as well.  Well I'm heading over to Idaho for a week to chase bears and elk.  Talk to you all next weekend!

[saylean]

better safe than sorry eh Machias! Go get em in Idaho. Good luck...get a wolf if you bought a tag!

[BLKBEARKLR]

I spoke with an officer and I'm going to steer clear of this big fella for this year.  There are plenty of other spots and other bears to chase.  He's a big boy, I imgaine he has a very good chance to be here next year as well.  Well I'm heading over to Idaho for a week to chase bears and elk.  Talk to you all next weekend!

Good decision, good luck on getting him next year

[JackOfAllTrades]

I spoke with an officer and I'm going to steer clear of this big fella for this year.

But what did the gamie really say?

-Steve

[Machias]

He said that there is no clear cut rules on time or distance, that it is up to each Officer to determine knowledge of the bait site and was the bait/substance any assistance in harvesting the bear.  Since there is no way for me to tell if the substance is all gone I can't even tell if it would still be considered a bait site, and since the bear may be hanging around that area picking up scraps, I'm not sure is it would be a good idea, so I am leaving him till next year.  If he makes it another year I have a decent area to try and meet up with him.

[tlbradford]

I would hunt it.  It isn't your bait site, it is inactive, and you will be calling in the bears.  It should be a non-issue with the game department.  You never know what may cause that bear to relocate.