BigGameHunt.net Hunting Forums

[littlebuf]

does any one have any info on bear feeding stations on tree farm land? i know they feed the bears and i think ive found a couple of feeding stations in my local tree farm, you guys have any info youd like to pass along

[WiskeyJaR]

are you allowed to use bait in Washington? Thought they was like Oregon...no bait or dogs?

[littlebuf]

you are not allowed to bait the bears your self but it is perfectly legal to hunt a feeding area set up by the tree farm, you just gotta find um :D

[WiskeyJaR]

in oregon a hunting over a feeding station is considered "baiting"...<shrugs>...other wise, I and a bunch of others would have "feeding stations" all over. :thumbsup1:

[csumerall]

It is illegal in washington as well, If you happen to drop a sandwich and decide to hunt over it and a warden see's you he could technically cite you for baiting. I personally wouldnt do it and wouldnt advise it. Not to mention, how much hunting skill does it take to hunt over bait.

[littlebuf]

im telling you it is perfectly legal to hunt on these feeding stations the tree farm has set up, there not easy to find and you still have to set up right and maybe even stalk, its not like hunting at the dump. im surprised no one has heard of the tree farms feeding bears? i was just looking for a little more info than i already had

[csumerall]

I am perfectly familiar with the feeding stations on the tree farms. What I am saying is that it IS ILLEGAL. From the washington regs"Hunters may use any lawful big game
modern firearm, archery, or muzzleloader
equipment for hunting black
bear. The use of hounds and/or bait
to hunt black bear is prohibited."
[b][u]LICENSE SUSPENSIONS AND
PROPERTY FORFEITURE
Washington State’s Fish and Wildlife
Enforcement Code (Revised Code of
Washington Chapter 77.15) requires
the mandatory suspension of a person’s
hunting privileges if a person is
convicted of one of the following violations:
• assaulting a Fish and Wildlife
Enforcement Officer or an employee
or agent of the Department performing
official duties
• unlawful hunting of big game
• first degree waste of fish and
wildlife
• harvesting endangered fish or
wildlife
• hunting big game with an artificial
light or spotlight
• violating the prohibition on hunting
bear with bait or the limitations on
using dogs to hunt bear, cougar,
bobcat, or lynx
• unlawfully purchasing or using a
license
• committing a crime that involves a
willful or wanton disregard for conservation
of wildlife
• shooting another person or domestic
livestock while hunting
In addition, repeat offenders—any
person with two strikes within ten
years for big game hunting violations
and three strikes within ten years for
all other recreational hunting and fishing
violations—receive a mandatory
two-year suspension of all fishing and
hunting privileges. The law treats an
uncontested notice of infraction, a bail
forfeiture (payment of the fine on a
citation), or a guilty plea as a conviction
that will be counted. You will
permanently lose your fishing and
hunting privileges if you hunt or fish
on a suspended license or demonstrate
a willful or wanton disregard for
the conservation of fish or wildlife.
The privilege to hunt or fish in
Washington will also be revoked if
notice of a suspension is received
from another state whose suspensions
Washington has agreed to
honor. Similarly, Washington will
report the issuance of a suspension in
this state to other states.
Property that is used to violate any
fishing and hunting regulations, or that
is held with the intention of committing
a violation, may be seized for evidence
and may ultimately be forfeited
to the state.

I doesnt matter if you put the "bait " there or someone else did YOU would be hunting over it. I personally dont think that it is worth it to lose your privleges over a bear. But to each their own.

[littlebuf]

well i was told that it was legal, ill check into it more but it was guide that told me and he stays pretty current on the regs and knows his share of game wardens. the tree farms consider bears varmints, thats the whole reason for feeding them and the spring bear tags on these tree farms, its population control. i realize its probably splinting hairs since if your hunting one of these areas theres no way the state could prove you knew you were at a feeding station, i mean if your out scouting as i do a lot and you find a area where bears frequent is it e legal to set up and hunt there? or is that just good scouting?

[csumerall]

I spoke with my neighbor about that side of things and yes they are considered varmits but the states laws on hunting them supercedes anything done on the farm. If you are hunting any animal over a placed source of food you could be baiting. One thing you have to remember is that you may read the regs one way and the wardens have a different point of view. Ive spoken to several of them about the same questions and always get a different answer. But they do have the ultimate decision upon citations. It all doesnt seem very worth it.

[littlebuf]

i do see your point, and my question i guess would be since there not marked.at least not with a sign, what if your just there hunting and you shoot a bear around one of these stations? i mean if the thing said "pile of bear food dont shoot the bears" that would be one thing but the tree farm marks them very inconspicuously and the only reason i know what to look for is from some inside info i got, but the average hunter does not know how there marked so i just cant see how if your legally hunting a area the state could consider taking a bear in one of these stations a violation, like i said kinda splitting hairs but hey they make it hard enough to hunt anymore as it is

[littlebuf]

], buy the way im just down the hill from you ::neener:

[csumerall]

Which hill would that be?

[littlebuf]

all of them im down here in orting

[csumerall]

I suppose you would be downhill from me then. You were refering to kap. tree farm then?

[littlebuf]

thats the one