Question

[Kola16]

So I have a pile of apples out in the woods for the modern deer hunt. I have a trail camera on the spot so I can see the deer that are coming in. The area is stocked with bears and are eating the apples, which I don't really care if they do or not. I was wondering if it is ok to have a rifle for protection with me when I check my camera when it is not deer season, and having a bear tag on me. I don't intend to shoot a bear around the bait, but I would rather not have a mother bear shread me to pieces 

[ICEMAN]

You can always protect yourself. But, you don't want to be hunting bear around or anywhere near that bait pile.
 
Many threads on here that beat this subject to death. Go check them out.. 

[jackmaster]

i love baiting wish we had it back.. but you might be hard pressed to get a gamie to buy off on the fact that you were only baitn deer and you were just protecting yourself, wish ya luck man

[h20hunter]

From somebody that has spent a lot of time in the last year working apples and cob and what not for deer I would not suggest having a big game rifle while reloading the area. I carried my .45 on my hip for protection. Also, I've had bears in the area when going in and out. They either ran off well before I got there or hunkered down and waited until I left. I've had them come in 20 minutes after me leaving. If you are questioned with a big game rifle during season with a bear tag and no open deer seasons for that weapon I'd bet you are getting a ticket. It may or may not hold up since you didn't shoot anything but that is neither here nor there until the game department accuses you.

If you have time for a read I baited and worked an area for almost a year and kept up with updates. Here is the link:

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,70554.0.html

You can also pm me with any questions from my experience.

[bobcat]

If you do shoot a bear, don't post pictures on here with a dead bear and a bait pile in the background, like some have done.        

[jackmaster]

If you do shoot a bear, don't post pictures on here with a dead bear and a bait pile in the background, like some have done.        

[Griz231]

So I have a pile of apples out in the woods for the modern deer hunt. I have a trail camera on the spot so I can see the deer that are coming in. The area is stocked with bears and are eating the apples, which I don't really care if they do or not. I was wondering if it is ok to have a rifle for protection with me when I check my camera when it is not deer season, and having a bear tag on me. I don't intend to shoot a bear around the bait, but I would rather not have a mother bear shread me to pieces 

You can hunt coyotes with a big game licencse, so carrying a rifle is fine as far as i'm concerned.