eastside bear help

[Kain]

Read them for yourself.  And spread the word.

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=77.15.245

 (d) As used in this subsection, "bait" means a substance placed, exposed, deposited, distributed, scattered, or otherwise used for the purpose of attracting black bears to an area where one or more persons hunt or intend to hunt them.

Dear Mr. Kain,

Thank you for contacting the Wildlife Program with your question on bait.  As defined in RCW 77.15.245 bait is defined as “a substance placed, exposed, deposited, distributed, scattered, or otherwise used for the purpose of attracting black bears to an area where one or more persons hunt or intend to hunt them.”
 
This includes scents, and other popular attractants sold by sporting goods stores.
 
If you have any further questions, comments, or concerns please feel free to contact the Wildlife Program at (360) 902-2515.
 
Sincerely,
 
Mike Day
Customer Service Specialist
Wildlife Program
 

[Joe_Hunter]

Kain:
 Thanks for providing expert opinion on this matter.  There are allot f opinions out there but I think we can all agree that the one opinion that matters most is the one that enforces the law.

Great Job   

[Kain]

Kain:
 Thanks for providing expert opinion on this matter.  There are allot f opinions out there but I think we can all agree that the one opinion that matters most is the one that enforces the law.

Great Job   

No problem but I got this info from other guys on here.  This topic comes up every couple months and some guys get tired of talking about it.  (Not that that stops them)    So I decided to keep the info and post it when ever it comes up.  We should all write letters to WDFW and make them include the definition in next years regs to eliminate the confusion.  What I dont like about this is that if you are out elk hunting and are covered in elk piss and you happen to come across a really nice bear...can you shoot it?  Nope.

[ipkus]

What I dont like about this is that if you are out elk hunting and are covered in elk piss and you happen to come across a really nice bear...can you shoot it?  Nope.

Why?  You didn't cover yourself in elk piss 'for the purpose of attracting black bears', so it doesn't apply.

Read the rule.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

The law is written for the A-holes that cheat, not for honest, ethical hunters.
If I use elk cover scent and go bear hunting, and call one in to me, I am not using scent as bait...
If I use scent on a stump and have my tree-stand, blind, whatever... and try to convince a gamey I wasn't using bait, I am breaking the law.

As they will tell you, as they write the citation, "tell it to the judge"

[yakimarcher]

someone told me it was legal to shoot a bear off a carcas if it wasn't moved. I have no idea if this is legal or just bull SH.

[longrange7mm]

  haha what if the caracas dont move from were i dump it jks i heard storys from the oldtimers that they used to take lame horses out into the woods and shoot grizzlies and wolves off of them back in the 40's and 50's

[Ridgeratt]

What I dont like about this is that if you are out elk hunting and are covered in elk piss and you happen to come across a really nice bear...can you shoot it?  Nope.

Why?  You didn't cover yourself in elk piss 'for the purpose of attracting black bears', so it doesn't apply.

Read the rule.

Ok so my question is that a couple of years ago while early season grouse hunting we stopped and cooked up some breakfast. Bacon (Peppered),Ham,Eggs and spuds. While we were sitting there eating  we had a bear show up. Was I baiting or eating and could I have shot him?

[KillBilly]

I would say that if you believe your breakfast odors attracted that bear then you should not shoot it unless protecting yourself from a bear that was intent on hurting you for the food.

[ipkus]

Cheese and rice you guys make this hard...

...READ THE RULE!!!

'for the purpose of attracting black bears'

Did you eat breakfast 'for the purpose of attracting black bears'?  If the answer is "No, we ate breakfast to...eat breakfast" then pull the trigger, you are legal.  If you grilled bacon and ham with the intent of attracting a bear, then that's illegal, don't shoot.

It's not even a gray area deal.  

[bobcat]

I have to agree with ipkus. Don't read into the law something that it doesn't say.

[rupejosh]

so the key to bear hunting is eating alot........

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Ya.. If you take 5lbs of bacon, a bottle of liquid smoke, a bag of marshmallows, and a bottle of maple syrup and a small stove in your day-pack, you would probably get a ticket...
but fixing lunch in camp  would be O.K.
AGAIN the law is to cover guys that are obviously baiting, not hunters using cover scent, or someone lucky enough to have a bear wander in to there camp, parking spot, or whatever....
This is not "rocket science"

No matter what you are cooking, if you are doing it in a questionable manner, like burning it in or near your blind. Or in excessive amounts, or with strange combinations etc.
But I suspect most of these questions are just being facetious...