Post by: Curly on June 29, 2010, 03:19:21 PM
Post by: coop2424 on June 29, 2010, 03:37:30 PM
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on June 29, 2010, 03:40:06 PM
In so many words.. Baiting of Bears is illegal in Washington.
-Steve
Post by: runamuk on June 29, 2010, 03:45:21 PM
Post by: billythekidrock on June 29, 2010, 04:58:00 PM
Post by: Bearhide on June 29, 2010, 05:10:23 PM
Post by: jackelope on June 29, 2010, 05:10:29 PM
id like to see it in writing.
maybe ill just give them a call.
:iamwithstupid:
Post by: billythekidrock on June 29, 2010, 05:27:12 PM
id like to see it in writing.
maybe ill just give them a call.
Make sure to report back here either way and get a name/rank as well.
Post by: jackelope on June 29, 2010, 05:35:12 PM
Post by: jackelope on June 29, 2010, 05:40:15 PM
Quote
Thank you for contacting Washington State Dept. of Fish & Wildlife, Enforcement Program. Due to the high volume of e-mails, staff will attempt response within 10 business days of receipt.
Post by: Lowedog on June 29, 2010, 05:41:09 PM
Unlawful practices — Black bear baiting — Exceptions — Illegal hunting — Use of dogs — Exceptions — Penalties.
(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of RCW 77.12.240, *77.36.020, 77.36.030, or any other provisions of law, it is unlawful to take, hunt, or attract black bear with the aid of bait.
(d) As used in this subsection, "bait" means a substance placed, exposed, deposited, distributed, scattered, or otherwise used for the purpose of attracting black bears to an area where one or more persons hunt or intend to hunt them.
Post by: Ray on June 29, 2010, 06:15:28 PM
Quote
for the purpose of attracting black bears to an area where one or more persons hunt or intend to hunt them.
Excercise caution would be the wise advice.
Post by: rasbo on June 29, 2010, 06:30:05 PM
Post by: bigtex on June 29, 2010, 06:37:13 PM
Post by: Ray on June 29, 2010, 06:40:24 PM
1st is the intent to attract a bear.
2nd is the intent to hunt.
It seems from that particular regulation all they have to get you on is intent to hunt. However in some cases like an old lady laying out corn cobs or something... I doubt she'll be charged if they cannot prove an intent to hunt or for others to hunt.
Therefore I have to disagree with bigtex when I read that specific RCW.
Post by: runamuk on June 29, 2010, 06:42:16 PM
RCW 77.15.245
Unlawful practices — Black bear baiting — Exceptions — Illegal hunting — Use of dogs — Exceptions — Penalties.
(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of RCW 77.12.240, *77.36.020, 77.36.030, or any other provisions of law, it is unlawful to take, hunt, or attract black bear with the aid of bait.
(d) As used in this subsection, "bait" means a substance placed, exposed, deposited, distributed, scattered, or otherwise used for the purpose of attracting black bears to an area where one or more persons hunt or intend to hunt them.
highlighted section open to interpretation interpretation...... and I read it literally to mean any sort of baiting...you may read it as only for hunting and the game warden may read it as somewhere in between in which case you find yourself with a ticket and a court date.... :dunno: :dunno:
Post by: Ray on June 29, 2010, 06:45:03 PM
Post by: bobcat on June 29, 2010, 06:45:39 PM
Post by: Ray on June 29, 2010, 06:47:47 PM
Quote
even if your only intent is to bait deer or elk, the smart thing to do would be to simply not post the bear pictures on the internet.
Probably true.
Post by: rasbo on June 29, 2010, 06:51:47 PM
Post by: Ray on June 29, 2010, 06:55:02 PM
Post by: rasbo on June 29, 2010, 07:01:15 PM
If rasbo shows up at your bait station I hope your camera doesn't take any pictures.:chuckle:hmm photo op for the new spring line up :chuckle:
Post by: runamuk on June 29, 2010, 07:10:04 PM
If rasbo shows up at your bait station I hope your camera doesn't take any pictures.:chuckle:hmm photo op for the new spring line up :chuckle:
so what sort of bait does one use to attract a Rasbo :dunno: :chuckle:
Post by: bigtex on June 29, 2010, 07:37:28 PM
Seems the only way it would be ok to bait bears into a trail cam setup would be if you were not a licensed hunter, and/or you are doing it in an area where hunting is not allowed. Otherwise, if you do it, even if your only intent is to bait deer or elk, the smart thing to do would be to simply not post the bear pictures on the internet.
:yeah:
I too have been told by several WDFW Officers that it is illegal to place bait, no matter if you plan to hunt or not. Just remember that a conviction of baiting bears will mean the suspension of your hunting rights for 5 years! Plus the additional court fines, lawyer fees, etc. I have even heard stories of WDFW Officers going on to private property to confirm reports/complaints of people baiting.
Post by: rasbo on June 29, 2010, 07:55:35 PM
bearsIf rasbo shows up at your bait station I hope your camera doesn't take any pictures.:chuckle:hmm photo op for the new spring line up :chuckle:
so what sort of bait does one use to attract a Rasbo :dunno: :chuckle:
Post by: Bofire on June 29, 2010, 08:03:54 PM
:chuckle:
Carl
Post by: runamuk on June 29, 2010, 08:19:43 PM
:) anything in a bikini!!
:chuckle:
Carl
bears in bikini's ;) :chuckle:
Post by: predatorpro on June 29, 2010, 09:22:06 PM
Post by: Lowedog on June 29, 2010, 09:22:55 PM
Seems the only way it would be ok to bait bears into a trail cam setup would be if you were not a licensed hunter, and/or you are doing it in an area where hunting is not allowed. Otherwise, if you do it, even if your only intent is to bait deer or elk, the smart thing to do would be to simply not post the bear pictures on the internet.
:yeah:
I too have been told by several WDFW Officers that it is illegal to place bait, no matter if you plan to hunt or not. Just remember that a conviction of baiting bears will mean the suspension of your hunting rights for 5 years! Plus the additional court fines, lawyer fees, etc. I have even heard stories of WDFW Officers going on to private property to confirm reports/complaints of people baiting.
I think it would be hard to get a conviction if it was a deer feed block set in front of a trail camera. I read it as the bait has to be used with an intent to hunt bears. I have set deer feed blocks out in front of my cameras and bears love them. Now if you have pics of bears and then kill one out of the same area then you might be in trouble.
Post by: saylean on June 29, 2010, 09:27:48 PM
Also ladies and gents...
SCENTS ARE CONSIDERED BAITING.
Clear as mud now huh. :chuckle:
Post by: WASHBCBOOK on June 29, 2010, 09:31:46 PM
just my 2 cents
Post by: bigtex on June 29, 2010, 09:42:03 PM
Seems the only way it would be ok to bait bears into a trail cam setup would be if you were not a licensed hunter, and/or you are doing it in an area where hunting is not allowed. Otherwise, if you do it, even if your only intent is to bait deer or elk, the smart thing to do would be to simply not post the bear pictures on the internet.
:yeah:
I too have been told by several WDFW Officers that it is illegal to place bait, no matter if you plan to hunt or not. Just remember that a conviction of baiting bears will mean the suspension of your hunting rights for 5 years! Plus the additional court fines, lawyer fees, etc. I have even heard stories of WDFW Officers going on to private property to confirm reports/complaints of people baiting.
I think it would be hard to get a conviction if it was a deer feed block set in front of a trail camera. I read it as the bait has to be used with an intent to hunt bears. I have set deer feed blocks out in front of my cameras and bears love them. Now if you have pics of bears and then kill one out of the same area then you might be in trouble.
We are talking about bears...not deer....
Post by: predatorpro on June 29, 2010, 11:41:25 PM
Post by: Houndhunter on June 30, 2010, 05:05:24 AM
Post by: Lowedog on June 30, 2010, 07:44:35 AM
Seems the only way it would be ok to bait bears into a trail cam setup would be if you were not a licensed hunter, and/or you are doing it in an area where hunting is not allowed. Otherwise, if you do it, even if your only intent is to bait deer or elk, the smart thing to do would be to simply not post the bear pictures on the internet.
:yeah:
I too have been told by several WDFW Officers that it is illegal to place bait, no matter if you plan to hunt or not. Just remember that a conviction of baiting bears will mean the suspension of your hunting rights for 5 years! Plus the additional court fines, lawyer fees, etc. I have even heard stories of WDFW Officers going on to private property to confirm reports/complaints of people baiting.
I think it would be hard to get a conviction if it was a deer feed block set in front of a trail camera. I read it as the bait has to be used with an intent to hunt bears. I have set deer feed blocks out in front of my cameras and bears love them. Now if you have pics of bears and then kill one out of the same area then you might be in trouble.
We are talking about bears...not deer....
Thanks for clarifying that. :rolleyes:
Post by: Machias on June 30, 2010, 10:36:47 AM
Post by: Todd_ID on June 30, 2010, 11:49:41 AM
Baiting bears for trail cameras is NOT illegal. The ONLY way you can get in a jam is if you HUNT the bears you have been baiting. Read the whole RCW, not just parts of it. And once again, just as in carrying a concealed pistol discussion, just because someone in Enforcement says it's so, doesn't make it RIGHT.
I agree...which raises the next logical question: how far away from a bait site can you hunt?
Post by: Skyvalhunter on June 30, 2010, 12:04:10 PM
Post by: Machias on June 30, 2010, 12:57:32 PM
Baiting bears for trail cameras is NOT illegal. The ONLY way you can get in a jam is if you HUNT the bears you have been baiting. Read the whole RCW, not just parts of it. And once again, just as in carrying a concealed pistol discussion, just because someone in Enforcement says it's so, doesn't make it RIGHT.
I agree...which raises the next logical question: how far away from a bait site can you hunt?
Last year I had a friend put out a deer block for some deer and set up his camera. Had some nice bucks show up and then three days into it a sow with two cubs showed up and then an absolute bruiser showed up. Biggest bear I have seen in WA. I e-mailed back and forth with a nice G.W. from the area. He said best bet would be to pass the area up this year, which is what I did. He said you never know which bait sites are under surveillance for hunting for bears over bait. We even discussed distance, best bet is don't hunt an area you've baited for bears. There was no set distance away you had to be. Those were his thoughts and they seemed reasonable to me so I skipped the area....looking forward to seeing if I can call him in thie fall.
Post by: backwoods_boy on June 30, 2010, 01:05:45 PM
:) anything in a bikini!!
:chuckle:
Carl
bears in bikini's ;) :chuckle:
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fsophisticatedbears.com%2FDSCN0166Jessbear%2520seating.JPG&hash=7c54fe9bb4f7bed4a3183343541e7c9fb204d0bd)
Post by: daiello91 on June 30, 2010, 01:37:54 PM
Quote
There is nothing in the regulations regarding baiting to take pictures. More than likely such activity would trigger investigation by an officer if found. Make sure that you, or anyone else that may accompany you does not have a firearm in his/her possession.
Thank you,
Sean Carrell
WDFW, Enforcement Program
360-902-2936
Post by: backwoods_boy on June 30, 2010, 01:42:53 PM
I emailed a while ago to ask this very question, here is the response;QuoteThere is nothing in the regulations regarding baiting to take pictures. More than likely such activity would trigger investigation by an officer if found. Make sure that you, or anyone else that may accompany you does not have a firearm in his/her possession.
Thank you,
Sean Carrell
WDFW, Enforcement Program
360-902-2936
:IBCOOL: :IBCOOL: :IBCOOL: :IBCOOL:
Post by: Machias on June 30, 2010, 01:47:39 PM
I emailed a while ago to ask this very question, here is the response;QuoteThere is nothing in the regulations regarding baiting to take pictures. More than likely such activity would trigger investigation by an officer if found. Make sure that you, or anyone else that may accompany you does not have a firearm in his/her possession.
Thank you,
Sean Carrell
WDFW, Enforcement Program
360-902-2936
THANK YOU! Just as I said
Post by: hucklebeary on June 30, 2010, 08:31:17 PM
Post by: Curly on June 30, 2010, 08:36:06 PM
Post by: wormfood on July 01, 2010, 03:27:38 AM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on July 01, 2010, 05:22:50 AM
Post by: boneaddict on July 01, 2010, 06:08:45 AM
Post by: Todd_ID on July 01, 2010, 07:03:44 AM
Post by: Lowedog on July 01, 2010, 07:09:42 AM
I reported an obvious bear baiting situation several years ago and all that happened was the officer talked to the guys doing it and told them to stop. :dunno:
Post by: bigtex on July 01, 2010, 01:29:56 PM
That is where they would have to prove intent. I doubt that many officers are out there sitting on obvious baits for deer or elk waiting to cite someone for bear baiting.
I reported an obvious bear baiting situation several years ago and all that happened was the officer talked to the guys doing it and told them to stop. :dunno:
It really is up to the individual officer how they deal with situations. Some officers will cite every bear baiter they find, others won't. It's just like how some police officers will cite every underage drinker they find and others have never cited a underage drinker.
I will say this, bear baiting has kind of become the equivalent of a DUI for WDFW. What I mean is, everybody knows that State Troopers love getting DUI arrests. Well bear baiting has kind of become the equivalent of a DUI for WDFW Officers. I think this is mainly for two reasons, one is it is pretty difficult to find a bait site, officers have a lot of duties to do and simply don't have the time to go looking for a site, unless they receive a complaint/info about a site, and two, the penalties for a bear baiting conviction are pretty severe, you lose your hunting rights for 5 years on top of all the legal fees and fines.
Post by: bigtex on July 01, 2010, 01:33:31 PM
If you've got a bait site (corn feeder) like I do on my property, then how am I supposed to convince someone that I'm not hunting bear, and that I'm not going to shoot one when he comes in. I want to be able to shoot the nice buck I've got coming in and hopefully a cow elk, but I also don't want to be investigated for a crime I don't have any intent to commit. The state has to have better things to do with their money than sit over bait sites and hope to catch someone hunting it and then hope they shoot a bear; that kind of rubs me the wrong way that they'd assume my feeder was put up with the intent to commit a crime instead of the intent to hunt deer and elk legally.
Most officers know that a corn feeder is obviously not intended for bear, but rather for deer/elk. However if you switched it to apples and molasses which bears and deer would eat then you would be in a different situation. And read my post above, bear baiting is a crime that many WDFW Officers are really taking more serious with long term surveillance. Just read some articles across the state that have resulted from bear bait arrests, they often involve several officers and many hours spent watching the bait site.
Post by: carpsniperg2 on July 01, 2010, 01:35:08 PM
Post by: bigtex on July 01, 2010, 01:41:25 PM
i was told it is legal to feed bears here but if you have any thoughts of hunting around it or are caught with a bear tag in your pocket sitting over bait it does not look good and will probably get a ticket or worse for it.
I think people are confused about the penalty for bear baiting. You don't just get a "ticket", for bear baiting you don't just simply get a ticket with a fine on it. Bear baiting is a mandatory court appearance and the fine is up to a year in jail and/or a $5,000 fine because it is a gross misdemeanor. Bear baiting is something that you will get a court date for and have to appear before a judge, most other wildlife violations are just dealt with bail forfeitures (usually known as fines) which is when there is a fine on the ticket. And if you are convicted you lose your hunting rights for 5 years. So it is very possible for your buddy to get a $1,000 fine and another buddy to get a $2,500 fine, but they will both lose their license for 5 years. It's not like fishing without a license where you just simply get a "ticket" with a $109 fine on it.
Post by: Ray on July 01, 2010, 02:30:59 PM
Post by: rasbo on July 01, 2010, 02:41:48 PM
I use high mountain blueberry fields for bait. Works great.shhh thats next on the dont do list,then calling
Post by: boneaddict on July 05, 2010, 06:44:41 AM
Post by: rasbo on July 05, 2010, 07:26:09 AM
I use high mountain blueberry fields for bait. Works great.Nice camo you guys are wearing
Post by: Bob33 on July 05, 2010, 07:54:52 AM
Post by: jackelope on July 08, 2010, 05:01:38 PM
Quote
There are no regulations regarding the placement of bait to take pictures of bears. However, be careful. Make sure that you do not have in your possession any firearm because if confronted by an officer, he/she may determine that you may be hunting black bears with the aid of bait. A violation.
Thank you,
Sean Carrell
WDFW, Enforcement Program
360-902-2936
FAX: 360-902-2155
:bumpin:
Post by: Curly on July 09, 2010, 07:06:55 AM
QuoteThere are no regulations regarding the placement of bait to take pictures of bears. However, be careful. Make sure that you do not have in your possession any firearm because if confronted by an officer, he/she may determine that you may be hunting black bears with the aid of bait. A violation.
Thank you,
Sean Carrell
WDFW, Enforcement Program
360-902-2936
FAX: 360-902-2155
:bumpin:
I have posted this before but for the sake of this thread I will do it again.
According to Wildlife Officer Mark James it is against the law to bait bears for pictures at anytime. There is no magic distance from a deer bait that you are ok to to shoot a bear that happens in.
You can interpret the law how you want, and so will enforcement. It is the judge that has the final say.
:bumpin: