Trapping bait illegal in Washington??

[wags]

Here's a new one from our esteemed WDFW.  I just heard from a friend that he met a WDFW agent in the field who threatened to cite him for using bait while trapping, since a WAC says it's illegal to "feed wildlife".  Therefore, if the animal is eating your bait you are feeding it.  Sounds like we better ban bird feeders, power bait, worms, salt blocks, food plots, etc, etc. 
This State pretty much sucks.  That's why I now chose to spend most of my outdoors $$ in other states.

[JakeLand]

Well Wags like you have said Washington is not the state to live in if you are a outdoorsman things need to change in Olympia before i start handing them more of my support and money!!!!!

[christopheri]

Here's a new one from our esteemed WDFW.  I just heard from a friend that he met a WDFW agent in the field who threatened to cite him for using bait while trapping, since a WAC says it's illegal to "feed wildlife".  Therefore, if the animal is eating your bait you are feeding it.  Sounds like we better ban bird feeders, power bait, worms, salt blocks, food plots, etc, etc. 
This State pretty much sucks.  That's why I now chose to spend most of my outdoors $$ in other states.

Show me the WAC. I cant find it.

[fast60eddie]

Another rumor mill to read oh goody

[Elkaholic daWg]

Here's a new one from our esteemed WDFW.  I just heard from a friend that he met a WDFW agent in the field who threatened to cite him for using bait while trapping, since a WAC says it's illegal to "feed wildlife".  Therefore, if the animal is eating your bait you are feeding it.  Sounds like we better ban bird feeders, power bait, worms, salt blocks, food plots, etc, etc. 
This State pretty much sucks.  That's why I now chose to spend most of my outdoors $$ in other states.

 So do we have another anti, greenie, wolf & bunny hugging mole  (OOPS...forgot libbie!) trying to  impose their beliefs on us, or is this actually true.  (what they said)

 Looks like it might be one of those folks that needs a different job.

[BOWHUNTER45]

The only animal you CAN NOT BAIT IS BEAR !!!!! THATS IT    But if we keep talking about it , it will all be illegal shortly ......Shhhhhhh.

[bugs n bones]

The only animal you CAN NOT BAIT IS BEAR !!!!! THATS IT    But if we keep talking about it , it will all be illegal shortly ......Shhhhhhh.

This is correct!!

[wags]

The trapper that reported this incident to me is doing a check of the RCW's and WAC's, trust me. 
Upon further thought I think the agent doesn't know the regs either.  The trapping regulation that says "exposed meat bait may not be placed within 30 feet of a trap if it is exposed to flying raptors" implies that it is o.k. to use bait.  And it would be assumed that if it's at least 30 feet from the trap the animal may "feed" on it (or closer than 30 feet if not exposed to flying raptors).
As far as keeping quite about this incident, I don't agree; it's the WDFW agent that claused the initial conflict.  If I see intimidation, abuse of power, or making up laws as they go, I'm going to call them out on it.  Let the chips fall where they may.  Keeping quite about government wrong-doing never results in good (even if you agree with what they are doing).
Mark

[bearpaw]

The only animal you CAN NOT BAIT IS BEAR !!!!! THATS IT    But if we keep talking about it , it will all be illegal shortly ......Shhhhhhh.

Plus game birds and waterfowl.

[Machias]

Actually you can bait bears all you want, just can't hunt them over bait or use the bait to attract them for hunting.

You can use bait to trap, I'm betting it was a misunderstanding.

[JimmyHoffa]

As far as I know the attempt to stop wildlife feeding failed and never became law.  It was pushed by vandewedge on the OP because there is a group of retirees that have a mini airport for their hobby aircraft at a place called Diamond Point.  The original residents had all kinds of gardens and would also feed deer.  When the retirees moved there and built their runways they got upset because of deer.  They are worried about a collison with their little planes.  Then blamed the people that fed them, but most are against hunting the deer--even though there are a bunch of special permits for that area.  I've heard they are still trying to get it introduced again to ban feeding.

[bearpaw]

Actually you can bait bears all you want, just can't hunt them over bait or use the bait to attract them for hunting.

You can use bait to trap, I'm betting it was a misunderstanding.

I would agree, probably a misunderstanding.

[fast60eddie]

The only animal you CAN NOT BAIT IS BEAR !!!!! THATS IT    But if we keep talking about it , it will all be illegal shortly ......Shhhhhhh.

Plus game birds and waterfowl.

[wags]

I just got off the phone with the trapper who had the incident with the agent.  There were apparently calls made back and forth since my first post.  The agent is now conceding that there isn't a state law that would disallow the use of bait, but the agent said there is a law against feeding wildlife on forest service lands and he could have the forest service cop write him a ticket.  I think the agent is blowing smoke.  The Federal Government does not have the authority to set hunting/trapping/fishing seasons or means and methods.  That is left to the States.  There are a couple of exceptions; such as for migratory birds.  I would chalk this incident up to: a young, new, over-zealous agent.

[boneaddict]

As long as it wasn't some trout you caught, or a grouse you shot or......you are fine.  Get his name so our local warden here can pass on the word.