is it legal to bait deer in washington

[h20hunter]

Yes....baiting is VERY different than sitting over a water hole. It takes a ton more work and effort.

I'm all for any legal means of hunting and try and support those that follow the rules and guidelines.

[CedarPants]

I wonder how many people who look at baiting deer as "cheating" would themselves be sitting over a bait pile as soon as possible if WDFW announced baiting bears was now legal

[buckfvr]

I still get a kick that so many people think baiting deer and elk equals sure success.  More like certain frustation.....SO many deer eat where stock is being fed, it would probably be easier to hunt  near wintered up cattle.......

SO, if one was to hunt a private ranch where stock is being fed.......wouldnt that amount to the same thing ?  I think so........  Deer and elk that you see on the farms and ranches are there for the feed........take away the alfalfa, and the animals move.

Given the option, I'd take baited venison over  beef  every day of the week.   Venison is healthier and  far more of a challenge than cattle, even if its baited.

[PolarBear]

Apparently you fans of baiting are the only ones allowed to have an opinion on hunting methods and anyone who disagrees is an "elitist".  I guess that I enjoy the thrill of using outdoors skills such as tracking, reading and deciphering sign, knowing how to read the land and where the critters are more likely to be, etc over artificially drawing them into an area.  But hey, I guess I am an elitist tearing apart the fabric of the brotherhood of hunters for wanting to be more of a traditionalist.     As I have said time and time again. if baiting is your thing, knock yourself out and long as it is legal.  It just ain't for me and yes, I am entitled to my opinion on the subject.

[Wile E. Hunter]

I have no problem with Polar bear's attitude of holding out for the deer he wants, or not filling his tag. I also have no problem with people baiting deer since it's legal here in Washington. If you want to hold out for the deer you want it doesn't make you an elitist, it makes you disciplined. Does that mean that a guy that shoots a legal doe, or a "dink" buck over bait undisciplined? No. It just means that different people have different goals. Some hunters' goals are to fill the freezer, and a year old "dink" buck does nicely for that, and he/she should be proud of it. Other hunters want to pursue a different class of animal for the challenge, and are going to work harder, and will potentially go home without an animal at all. Neither one is wrong. Neither is necessarily an elitist nor undisciplined. As long as it's legal, both are well within reason for me.

Wile E.

[PolarBear]

 
Very well said! 
You said what I believe but apparently am not able to convey.

[bearpaw]

I have no problem with Polar bear's attitude of holding out for the deer he wants, or not filling his tag. I also have no problem with people baiting deer since it's legal here in Washington. If you want to hold out for the deer you want it doesn't make you an elitist, it makes you disciplined. Does that mean that a guy that shoots a legal doe, or a "dink" buck over bait undisciplined? No. It just means that different people have different goals. Some hunters' goals are to fill the freezer, and a year old "dink" buck does nicely for that, and he/she should be proud of it. Other hunters want to pursue a different class of animal for the challenge, and are going to work harder, and will potentially go home without an animal at all. Neither one is wrong. Neither is necessarily an elitist nor undisciplined. As long as it's legal, both are well within reason for me.

Wile E.

An extremely well defined post... I totally agree....

[sirmissalot]

I like to bait in deer to an area I can easily access from my atv with heated seat and grips. With a windshield and turn signals.  (sarcasm)

I don't really care how other people want to hunt. If I kill a 2 point blacktail I've worked my tail off and pack it out in pieces on my back, and you kill a 4 point in your apple trees and haul it to the barn with a tractor, who is going to have a better sense of accomplishment? Thats up to the hunter I guess, I know which one I'd choose.

[DBHAWTHORNE]

Apparently you fans of baiting are the only ones allowed to have an opinion on hunting methods and anyone who disagrees is an "elitist".  I guess that I enjoy the thrill of using outdoors skills such as tracking, reading and deciphering sign, knowing how to read the land and where the critters are more likely to be, etc over artificially drawing them into an area.  But hey, I guess I am an elitist tearing apart the fabric of the brotherhood of hunters for wanting to be more of a traditionalist.     As I have said time and time again. if baiting is your thing, knock yourself out and long as it is legal.  It just ain't for me and yes, I am entitled to my opinion on the subject.

It's  statements like this that result in you being called an elitit:  "just call it what it is and stop kidding yourself and stop telling everyone how hard you "worked" for that animal"

We realize that you are the hardest working hunter in WA and respect that.

The fact that you don't personally don't prefer baiting as a hunting method does not make you an elistist. The fact that you have an opinion on baiting doesn't make you an elitist. However the fact that you put yourself out there as above fellow hunters that do bait makes you an elitist. Oh praise the mighty PB and his mad hunting prowess: 

[PolarBear]

   Hypersensitive much?   

[DBHAWTHORNE]

I have no problem with Polar bear's attitude of holding out for the deer he wants, or not filling his tag. I also have no problem with people baiting deer since it's legal here in Washington. If you want to hold out for the deer you want it doesn't make you an elitist, it makes you disciplined. Does that mean that a guy that shoots a legal doe, or a "dink" buck over bait undisciplined? No. It just means that different people have different goals. Some hunters' goals are to fill the freezer, and a year old "dink" buck does nicely for that, and he/she should be proud of it. Other hunters want to pursue a different class of animal for the challenge, and are going to work harder, and will potentially go home without an animal at all. Neither one is wrong. Neither is necessarily an elitist nor undisciplined. As long as it's legal, both are well within reason for me.

Wile E.

  I agree too.

[DBHAWTHORNE]

  Hypersensitive much?   

Haha...no..just explaining that your assessment that one is called an elitist simply for having a differing opinion is not the case. You and I have  on this many times... It looks like its that time of year again. 

[Bard Skye]

Of course, if one were to go in for *truly* primitive hunting, guns would go away, so would any bow more than a tree limb.  Likewise, other methods would be used that a modern hunter would consider *highly* unethical, as well as illegal.  Such as pit traps, stampeding animals over cliffs, etc.  And you can bet your tail that high lookouts (treestands) and baiting was used whenever possible.

So, just what's the "purest" form of hunting?

I don't have an answer for that. 

Just the legal definition.

If anyone wants to get riled up, let's go after the dude that, after letting off a half dozen shots, says, "I *think* I got him in the ass." 

And I'll admit, I haven't taken very many bucks in my life, over bait or otherwise.  My personal hunting ethic requires one shot, one kill.  If I don't think I can get that, I pass on that buck.

Just my 2 cents.

Skye