HB 1838 Baiting for Spring Bear Season TERRIBLE NEWS

[Machias]

They will consider this, yet not change the ability to mole trap that causes destruction to private property......stupid, plain stupid!

I hope they never do, unless they allow everyone to use body gripping traps.

[Roosevelt]

You do know you can get a permit to bait bears on a damage control permit? You just can't keep the bear.
I would think this would be a pretty good argument for opening baiting up to the General Public in the Spring.

It's been a couple of years, but unless they've changed, timber companies can apply for baiting permits and give them to anyone who is a master hunter. If the master hunter harvests a bear he or she can do with it what they please. Actually, it clearly states on the permit that something must be done with it. It gives the option to donate it etc. The hide does not need to be sealed either and you can't sell it.

[Roosevelt]

So basically everything on this bill is already legal, you just need to be a master hunter and chosen from a list of master hunters who put their names in as interested in participating.

I think the fact that it has already been legal in a limited way is a good sign that the bill has a chance. I'd love to see it pass.

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

Yeah that would be sweet.  If be willing to pay extra costs for the opportunity as well.

[bigtex]

And some bad news.

The fiscal note (how much does this bill cost) was released today by the Office of Financial Management (OFM).

Under the bill WDFW MAY not must, will, shall, etc issue the bear bait permits.

According to the fiscal note issued by OFM, WDFW will NOT issue bait permits. However, if the "may" is turned into another word (basically forcing the hand of WDFW) then obviously permits will have to be issued.

"Section 2(1) allows the Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to issue bait station permits and to assess a fee
of $10 per permit.

With the bill’s permissive language, WDFW would not implement the bait station permits.  If, however, the bill
specified narrower situations in which black bear baiting were allowed by permit, WDFW would implement the
program.  In that case, WDFW estimates that 55 permits would be issued each year, resulting in cash receipts of
$605: $550 for the permit and $55 for the transaction fee.  Costs would be approximately $22,000 in the first
year, and $11,000 each year thereafter."

https://fortress.wa.gov/binaryDisplay.aspx?package=39287

[Machias]

There you have Government at it's finest.  $33,000 to issue 110 permits.  Only the government could come up with a figure like that.

[bigtex]

There you have Government at it's finest.  $33,000 to issue 110 permits.  Only the government could come up with a figure like that.

Your a little off.

$22,000 for the first year
$11,000 for every year after that

[Machias]

55 permits times 2 years equals 110.  Hence $33,000, year one and two.

[stevemiller]

they must have sat down with a calculator and decided they could make some more off us hunters.I would be willing to bet that with this popping up and the deer baiting issue again coming up we will end up having a limited deer baiting law (for now)then a permit to buy later to bait deer just like bear.

[bigtex]

they must have sat down with a calculator and decided they could make some more off us hunters.I would be willing to bet that with this popping up and the deer baiting issue again coming up we will end up having a limited deer baiting law (for now)then a permit to buy later to bait deer just like bear.

Many states that do allow bear baiting do have a bear baiting permit. Such as Idaho..

[quadrafire]

There you have Government at it's finest.  $33,000 to issue 110 permits.  Only the government could come up with a figure like that.

Your a little off.

$22,000 for the first year
$11,000 for every year after that

What would the cost be from? That many $$ per year to issue 55 permits. Am I missing something here??

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

55 permits for the whole state?  Who didn't know this would cost?  You folks need to check you bank Statments for how much you've paid to do any hunting, in any state.  It costs.  I'd be more than happy to pay to bait black bear.  We should get to keep our baiting deer and elk.  Make sure to have your voice heard on the final survey they just put out.

[bigtex]

If this bill were to take effect only the following spring bear hunts would be eligible for baiting:

-North Skagit
-Monroe
-Copalis
-Kapowsin

The reasoning is the bill only allows for spring damage hunts to be eligible for the baiting permit. Under the proposed big game hunting laws, those 4 areas are the only damage hunts.

[Blacktail Sniper]

It appears that the bill is moving forward some, next step:

        Feb 17    Scheduled for executive session in the House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources at 10:00 AM. (Subject to change)

My understanding is at that time, the committee has three options for action:

Pass it and move it forward,

Kill it and it is done,

Do nothing and it dies on its own.

Here is a link to the bill's tracking page showing what has happened/is happening. There is also a link to comment on it.  It isn't dead yet, so the more we support it, the more chance it has.


http://app.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1838&year=2015#videos

[fastdam]

I vote yes, although i would rather see it expanded to all spring hunts (and fall to for that matter)    i have to ask, why does this bill prohibit the use of oil and grease?