Baiting for deer/elk

[hunter75]

I have had many discussions lately regarding baiting deer and elk in WA. Is it legal or not? I don't plan on doing it this year but I am curious. I've heard rumors it is completely legal and have even had a game warden say it is legal but I have never seen it in writing in the regs or anywhere else... Where can I find this in writing?

[carpsniperg2]

legal for deer and elk

[longrange7mm]

what you can bait deer and elk and not bear 

[bobcat]

I have never seen it in writing in the regs or anywhere else... Where can I find this in writing?

You don't need to see it in writing to know that it is legal. If there is nothing in writing saying it is NOT legal, then it IS legal.

[cmiller85]

You don't need to see it in writing to know that it is legal. If there is nothing in writing saying it is NOT legal, then it IS legal.

This is true. However, I was surprised to find out when I contacted the WDFW that attractant scents for Bear is considered bait and therefore is illegal in Washington. I was under the impression that bait is something that would have to be edible by the animal and not just the smell. So technically if you use deer lures....you've been baiting all along......Stupid WDFW. 

Thats why I hunt Idaho and Montana now. 

[carpsniperg2]

yeah that is true cmiller85 i made that call as well. so just because it does not say it is illegal means it is legal.

[bigtex]

You don't need to see it in writing to know that it is legal. If there is nothing in writing saying it is NOT legal, then it IS legal.

This is true. However, I was surprised to find out when I contacted the WDFW that attractant scents for Bear is considered bait and therefore is illegal in Washington. I was under the impression that bait is something that would have to be edible by the animal and not just the smell. So technically if you use deer lures....you've been baiting all along......Stupid WDFW. 

Thats why I hunt Idaho and Montana now. 

Thats very true, the rule says you cannot use bait (food) or attractants (scents). It is much like the selective gear rule for those of us that fish, which states you cannot use bait and you cannot use lures that have any scent.