Bear Baiting Vote.

[Daveinthebush]

While many of you are so excited about the presidential elections we need to start educating our friends concerning the upcoming bear baiting ban vote.

They vote is almost upon us it could be a crucial vote not only for Alaskans but for all bear hunters.  If we loose the baiting method in a place such as Alaska I feel that everywhere else would be in jeopardy too.

Lets get everyone informed and on our side before the vote.

Some arguments on our side are:

1.  It allows a hunter to make a humane shot at the animal.
2.  It helps a hunter determine whether the bear is legal and not a sow with cubs.
3.  It helps reduce the number of problem bears in an area.

[Dand]

Some of the anit bait folks argue that baiting bears might create problem bears.

I heard a Fish and Game biologist say that there is NO evidence that baiting bears creates problem bears.

The antis argue too that its not sporting.  But I agree with Dave that a carefully considered shot at a bear over bait is much better than hasty shots at bears where there isn't time to evaluate trophy quality, presence of cubs, etc.
In my book the careful shot is much more sporting hands down.

I think in some of the more populated areas of Alaska, a legally placed bait station would be safer to the public than to have hunters wandering around, possibly shooting too close to a hidden home site.  Posting the site also provides protection to the public.

This issue has been created by anti hunters as an oppportunity to open a chink among hunters to erode hunting and firearm rights.  We need to stand unified.

Please VOTE no on the bear baiting initiative.

[Daveinthebush]

More than likely the anit's do not know the rules or just what is involved with bear baiting in Alaska.

1. You have to be one mile for a residence, campground or developed facility.

2. registration.

3. Biodegradable bait.

4. Removing all materials at the end of the season.

5. 1/4 mile for a trail, path or road.

6.  and more.................

Carrying in 50 pounds of dog food 2-3 times a week is not fun at all.  And carrying out a bear hide, 4 quarters and the back straps is not a picnic either.  I know, I did all of that in one pack this year.  If I ever fell over I'd have never gotten back up. :lol:

[Sourdough]

The place that we have to work on and educate is the people of Anchorage.  They have more than half the votes in the state.  The Antis have given up on the rural areas because they know we are a lost cause for them.  Most Anchorage residents don't hunt, they are the ones the antis are targeting.  That's what they did to get areial wolf hunting banned by ballot inititave.  The antis inundated Anchorage with pictures of wolves being shot from Helicopters, and lies about how many had been killed.  It worked.  We don't see any adds about the bear baiting inititave here in the Interior, but a friend from Anchorage said they see them all the time.  The Antis are doing there educating where it counts, where the votes are.

[Dand]

Alaska Public radio has a call in show this morning Tuesday Oct 5 10 am.  If you have access to a public radio station you might want to tune in.  Help educate the uninformed in Los Anchorage.

[Daveinthebush]

If anyone heard it could they let us know how it went.

[Dand]

I think Chris, the Outdoor Council rep handled herself quite well but spent too much time trying to scare everybody who has a bird feeder or garbage can that might indavertently get caught by this ill advised and poorly worded initiative.

I wish she or more callers could have pointed out that over bait a hunter is likely to have much more time to make a carefully evaluated shot; that a bait hunter isn't likely to wander into a remote home's front yard while hunting, and all the other safeguards currently incorporated in the baiting law.

One caller rattled off a lot of statistics [source???] regarding brown bears coming to bait stands, bear woundings etc - BUT one problem - she might have some stats for bait stands (they would be easy to collect) but I bet the stats would be much worse for other hunting methods but I doubt there is much data available.

The woman speaking in favor of the initiative handled herself pretty well too and raised some tough points.  

I had a problem that the guest biologist stated he was in favor of the initiative. The radio station should have found a neutral biologist - maybe more verified facts would have come out. His presence subtly stacked the show in favor of the initiative and raises the question of the station's agenda.

 I was a little surprised and pleased that moderator Steve Heimel [sp?] was relatively even handed; playing devils advocate against both spokes-women by asking some provoking questions.  I was especially pleased to hear that Steve has become much more aware of bush resident thinking - must help that his wife is working at KDlG here in Dillingham.

The program was over way too quickly. Wish they could run it again.  Maybe I should contact APRN and see if they recorded it.

[Daveinthebush]

Thanks Dand for the report.

It sounds like it went better than I usually expect people to treat hunters.  Hopefully, it will not pass.  I am spreading the word around here as much as I can.

Generally, hunters say they will bait anyways.  Who is going to police them in the bush?

If the measure passes, there will certainly be a lot of unregistered, unmarked bait stations.  Which is better, a sign warning people or no sign and baiting.

Should be interesting.