PLEASE FINE THESE PEOPLE!!

[NGOWENS]

I got to work this morning and checked the king5 website for the news for the morning and this was right up there and I can't believe someone would think its ok to make 5 bears let alone 1 dependent on dog food!  Way to go dumb people!  Gotta love them! The link is below for the article.

Does anyone know if Fish and Wildlife can or will fine these people for ruining 5 bears??


http://www.king5.com/news/environment/Wash-officials-euthanize-5-black-bears-97442934.html

[bigtex]

WDFW tried to get a bill passed this year that would make it a crime to feed wildlife, just for reasons like this. However too many legislators thought that it would allow the Dept to go after people with bird feeders, and other things like that so the bill was not passed. The only thing the Dept could go after them for would be bair baiting, but it could be a toss up if that would stand in court, especially if these people have no history of hunting, etc. Obviously had that bill passed and the new law been made this case would be a "slam dunk" but thanks to our legislators the bill did not pass. 

[runamuk]

WDFW tried to get a bill passed this year that would make it a crime to feed wildlife, just for reasons like this. However too many legislators thought that it would allow the Dept to go after people with bird feeders, and other things like that so the bill was not passed. The only thing the Dept could go after them for would be bair baiting, but it could be a toss up if that would stand in court, especially if these people have no history of hunting, etc. Obviously had that bill passed and the new law been made this case would be a "slam dunk" but thanks to our legislators the bill did not pass. 

yeah I told my legislators to say NO to that law it was poorly written and could have caused all sorts  issues...sort of like the current problem with MOLE traps....we dont need more laws we need dumb people dealt with using the laws we have there are plenty of laws and RCW to use as it is....

[Curly]

According to another thread in the Trail Camera section, it is supposedly illegal to bait bears even if you don't plan to hunt them.  So, if that is true I would expect them to be charged with bear baiting under that RCW.........

[jackelope]

According to another thread in the Trail Camera section, it is supposedly illegal to bait bears even if you don't plan to hunt them.  So, if that is true I would expect them to be charged with bear baiting under that RCW.........

 

[runamuk]

According to another thread in the Trail Camera section, it is supposedly illegal to bait bears even if you don't plan to hunt them.  So, if that is true I would expect them to be charged with bear baiting under that RCW.........

exactly and there usually are public nuisance laws as well harboring dangerous animals laws the fact they were feeding them could set them up for a keeping a native species fine 10,000 right there....

[Machias]

It's not illegal to bait bears if you have NO intention of hunting.  You have to read the WHOLE regualtion, not just bits of it.  If that WERE the case anything that you drop or place in the woods or home, you could be charged with bear baiting.  Bears are attracted to LOTS of things. People just need to have common sense and not intentionally feed bears near their homes.

[Curly]

That was kinda the point of my post.  I don't really believe that placing bait in front of a trail camera would be illegal.  But if WDFW really believes that to be the case, I would expect to see those people charged under that RCW.  I suspect they won't be charged because WDFW really knows that that law only makes baiting illegal if you intend to hunt the bears.

[bobcat]

I think what probably happened when people got told by the WDFW that baiting bears for any reason is illegal, is that it was known that these people were hunters who were asking the question of the DFW. If a hunter, who buys a bear tag every year, put out bait with the intention of attracting bears to a trail cam, it's hard for that person to say he had no intention of hunting bears at that location. I would not want to put myself in the position of having to prove that I had no intent of hunting bears that I had baited in and had pictures of. You would probably look even more guilty if you had called the DFW and asked if you could bait bears for your trail cam, but not for the purpose of hunting. So I can understand why the WDFW would answer that question by simplyl saying no it is illegal to bait bears for any reason.

[Machias]

I'll have to respectfully disagree with you Bobcat.  I can buy a license for bear every year, which I do and if I want I can put out bait, attractant whatever for the purpose of photograhping bears.  It's perfectly legal to do so.  Just because I buy a hunting license and a bear tag does not mean I have a different set of rules than joe bag of doughnuts.  Now if I hunt any of those locations, I will get popped if caught.  The WDFW cannot say oh you must be "thinking" about hunting these bears because you have a history of buying a bear tag or have a current bear tag.  I have to hunt the bears before I am in trouble.  Now bait an area, have a tag in your pocket and walking around with a sidearm or a rifle...say for personal protection, you'll probably have a hard time explaining that one away to the judge....and rightfully so. 

[bobcat]

It was just speculation on why the WDFW told someone that it was illegal to bait bears for any reason. Why do you think they would give out incorrect information? Personally I think a guy would be ok to bait bears in to his trail cams all spring and summer, right up to the end of July. Pull the bait, and then hunt the same location beginning August 1st. Just don't go and post any pictures on the internet of bears in which the bait can be seen.

[Curly]

It was just speculation on why the WDFW told someone that it was illegal to bait bears for any reason. Why do you think they would give out incorrect information? Personally I think a guy would be ok to bait bears in to his trail cams all spring and summer, right up to the end of July. Pull the bait, and then hunt the same location beginning August 1st. Just don't go and post any pictures on the internet of bears in which the bait can be seen.

That is how the law should probably be...........but the state will have a different idea of the law and any warden would ticket you and then you would get to find out for sure how your personal opinion compares to the prosecuting attorney and the judge.

[Machias]

Honestly, just like the discussion about with carrying a concealed weapon, we have a LEO who teaches the RCW and he is wrong.  They honestly believe it.  I don't think they purposefully give out bad information.

The problem I see with your senario is there still may be substance left over at the bait site.  If they can find anything at all, they are going to hook you up, and they would be in the letter of the law.  Best bet is to avoid the area even after you've pulled the baits.

[bobcat]

I'm just getting into trail cams this year. I'm only using them for scouting deer, but it's possible to get a picture of a bear in the same area. I'm glad I haven't tried putting any bait out yet. I would hate to be prevented from hunting bears in the same area because I had bait out for deer and happened to get a picture of a bear. I thought about trying some bait to help to at least slow the deer down a bit in order to get more pictures. But after reading this discussion, and the other similar ones, I think I will avoid using any sort of bait in front of my trail cams.

[BENCHLEG]

i have famly there. they created the problem let them deal with it.  wdfw should walk away from it.

[BENCHLEG]

take a line from forest gump. stupid is as STUPID . figure it out. they need help.

[hunterheinz]

 I agree totally with Machias. One rule for all. Just because we have a hunting license should not make it any more illegal than someone without a license or vice-versa to bait bears regardless of hunting them. I see alot of opinions about the people feeding the bears in Olympia with dog food and saying how bad that was and that they should have been fined but it is ok to put doughnuts out to get pictures for your trail cams. I know this isn't going to be a popular opinion. But either way I see both ways as intentional bear feeding. I'm not saying it should be illegal or legal. I'm just saying it should be the same playing field for both non hunters and hunters as far as laws go considering wildlife involvement. If theres is any reason for preference in the laws it should be to the hunters as we are the ones being utilized and paying the monies(Licenses & sporting goods) the state is using for wildlife management and population control goals.