OLYMPIA — The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission has adopted restrictions on the use of bait to hunt deer and elk, but made few significant changes in hunting seasons.
The commission agreed to set a 10-gallon limit on the amount of bait hunters can make available to attract deer and elk at any one time.
The new rule also prohibits establishing bait piles — usually apples, grain, or minerals — closer than 200 yards apart.
Scents and attractants used by hunters are exempt from the new baiting restrictions.
Commission chair Brad Smith of Bellingham said public meetings and opinion polls conducted by the department over the past year showed a diversity of opinions among hunters on the issue of baiting.
“This measure is not designed to prohibit the use of bait when hunting deer and elk, but rather to curb its excesses,” Smith said. “Many believe baiting is a legitimate strategy in certain types of hunting situations, including those for youths, seniors, and disabled hunters.”
The baiting restrictions passed by an 7-1 vote with Commissioner Larry Carpenter of Mount Vernon voting no.
Washington and Oregon are the only two Western states that do not prohibit use of bait for hunting deer and elk.
The new baiting rule was approved along with a series of minor changes to hunting seasons initially established for deer, elk, bear, cougar and other game species last year as part of a three-year plan.
The most significant change reduces the number of hunting days for whitetail deer in northeastern Washington.
