Using Scents for Bear?...

[MDGrand]

I had a buddy ask me a question the other day.. and I am not sure of the answer.. can you use scents when bear hunting? I know you can not use bait.. however a scent is not bait. I looked through the regs and I could not find anything about it. So I thought I would ask you guys. I am pretty sure you can use scents for deer and elk..right? Why not for bear?

[machine]

I think cover scents are ok.If it smells like food it's illegal.

[whacker1]

Dang I was going to wipe maple bars all over my hunting clothes and rattle some garbage can lids for my calls......  

I think anything that smells like food is considered baiting.  I think you are o.k. with deer and elk urine or something similar as a cover scent.

[MDGrand]

I have seen all sorts of different bear scents though.. most notibly the one my buddy was asking about the other day in the store seemed like it was very very sweet smelling... at least that is what the bottle says. Definitely not an estrus smell froma deer or elk..

[machine]

Bear bomb?They sold it at joes but is a nogo in Washington.

[MDGrand]

Nope..not called Bear Bomb.. I think its called Wildlife Research Bear Lure.. Red label .

[bearmanric]

dont use them. you cant even use cover sent. Rick

[bearmanric]

ultimate bear lure. it is a atractor Rick

[saylean]

Scents are considered baiting...I will post the thread on it when I find it.

[WDFW-SUX]

ILLEGAL!

[saylean]

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

Pay attention to Part 1.(d)

A scent would be considered a "substance".

As previously stated, ILLEGAL.

And yes, you can use scents for deer and elk.

[h20hunter]

Just hang your camo in the kitchen and after cooking up your pre-hunt breakfast of bacon and eggs you will smell great!

[MikeWalking]

I remember looking at the rules online, can't remember which .Gov page it was but it had added  ''this includes the scents sold at Cabela's''

[Kain]

This comes up a few times every year.  It is good that you asked because its not legal.  Here is a copy of the email I got back when I asked the WDFW for a clarification.

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

[MDGrand]

I thought they were illegal.. thanks for the info everyone. I will pass it on.

[seth30]

how is a cover scent illegal??  The removal of your scent should not be illegal.   

[MikeWalking]

how is a cover scent illegal??  The removal of your scent should not be illegal

I don't believe Cover Scents as in Charcoal based odor neutralizers are Illegal, they're not bait. But if you hose your self with Apple, Acorn, Maple extract?  or the like that's differant...

[bearmanric]

you cant use elk or deer. i use scent shield. Rick

[duckmen1]

i read a washington game and fish article and it said scents were legal
they can't eat it so how can it be bait
but this state is all screwed up and who knows what they'ed say

[MikeWalking]

i read a washington game and fish article and it said scents were legal
they can't eat it so how can it be bait
but this state is all screwed up and who knows what they'd say

Anything that lures in animals weather it's Scent, Salt lick or jelly doughnuts is bait. It became illegal when Washington voters approved a new law against Baiting Bears & Hound Hunting Cougars.

It's still OK for Deer, Elk...

[seth30]

cool because I use two things to cover my scent.  I take branches from the areas I hunt, and put them in a box with my clothes.  Then i spray down my boots after i get out of my truck with thtat 99.9% stuff.

[duckmen1]

ya the article i read was after baiting became illegal

[carpsniperg2]

yeah, i almost think its kinda at the officers choice if he wants to right you up if you are using cover scents. i don't think most will. but would not test the water.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

I think if you are using "normal" types of cover scent you would be O.K., but dont smell like a jelly donut....

[billythekidrock]

I think if you are using "normal" types of cover scent you would be O.K., but dont smell like a jelly donut....

i read a washington game and fish article and it said scents were legal
they can't eat it so how can it be bait
but this state is all screwed up and who knows what they'ed say

Do it at your own risk. I say this every year, I have asked many game agents and most say that they would advise not using elk cover scent while calling for bears as you may be cited.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

I have asked many game agents and most say that they would advise not using elk cover scent while calling for bears as you may be cited

If the officer is going to cite me for wearing elk cover scent while bear hunting, he is probably having a bad day, I don't believe that most of them care that much about strict adherence to the law,
If I got cited for that I would probably get a ticket for smoking my little vanilla flavored cigars also.....
I will take my chances and hopefully not have to "explain it to the Judge" Because I am not wearing it to attract any animals, nor am I smoking for that reason either.
I pretty much think it comes down to "intent", one could argue that while calling you are imitating a fawn/calf which has little to no scent so therefore......
I know you are just passing on information to educate us to the possibility of getting cited, but when you ask an officer, it is his responsibility to inform you that it might happen, not necessarily that it will.
The fact that you asked could demonstrate intent, in which case you would be cited, but if you are not using it with intent, would they still cite you ?
I guess it all depends on the officer and the circumstances....

"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.

Key words, " purpose of attracting black bears to an area where one or more persons hunt or intend to hunt them."
I am not using it to attract them....

[MikeWalking]

?? How much of any scent do you have to apply before a human nose can tell?

I've used differant Deer pee's can't smell it at arms length, maybe I'm buying the wrong brand..

[bobcat]

How's he gonna prove you're wearing elk urine anyway?    

Just don't say anything about it. If you end up having to explain it to the judge, tell him that's what your deodorant smells like. Stupid law.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Human nose ?
I can smell an elk wafer from a long ways, and my buddies joke about my smoking by asking if I am baking something...
But that really doe not matter in this conversation, unless you are going to attempt to use something, in which case BE CAREFUL, that stuff they sell is powerful, one drop and you will smell it for a week.
I tried it once a several years ago, didn't work for me, but I got a head ache from it while driving to and from my hunting area.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Also you might get this problem...

[Bob33]

How's he gonna prove you're wearing elk urine anyway?    

When you show the officer your bottle of "Elk Urine Scent Cover" and tell him how well it works on the bears, that might tip him off...

[chrisb]

What about earth scent? it's not an attractant and is only to make you blend in like camo does?

[MikeWalking]

What about earth scent? it's not an attractant and is only to make you blend in like camo does?

Watch out!  you may be stalked by The Hairy Tie Dyed Hippie Chick..

[chrisb]

What about earth scent? it's not an attractant and is only to make you blend in like camo does?

Watch out!  you may be stalked by The Hairy Tie Dyed Hippie Chick..

No worries there i'll scare her off with deodorant and gillette

[fishermanjoe]

what if i like to cook breakfast while out in the woods?  nothing like a big slab of bacon while bear hunting.

[MikeWalking]

what if i like to cook breakfast while out in the woods?  nothing like a big slab of bacon while bear hunting. 

Yep, served on Toast with eggs cooked with Bacon salt, Bacon pepper, Baconaise mayo...and don't forget the Bacon flavored Chapstick before you head out...

[carpsniperg2]

 

[Ghost Hunter]

Peanut butter, honey, bacon sandwich will be in my pack for lunch, and I ain't sharing it with no bear

[loaderboy]

It is the same in a no bait fishing lake no scents allowed on your lures.

[Bob33]

I gather that no scents makes no sense?

[Houndhunter]

I gather that no scents makes no sense?

thats our wdfw at work