The Commission has approved temporary rules of which are adopted, effective September 1, 2024. Proposed rulemaking is being conducted under Docket No. 13-0108-2401, (Zero-Based Regulation (ZBR) Rulemaking), previously published in Bulletin Vol. 24-5 p.190, and Docket No. 13-0117-2401 (ZBR Rulemaking) as previously published in Bulletin Vol. 24-5 p.194.
This rulemaking adds a new section requiring a person placing or using bait for hunting black bear to report the presence of a grizzly bear at the site to the Department and to remove the bait from that location. This rulemaking is for the purpose of preventing a person from unlawfully taking a grizzly bear and improving safety related to black bear hunting. This rulemaking addresses the use of bait in black bear hunting in areas outside of occupied grizzly bear recovery areas identified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (where the Commission has long prohibited the use of bait in black bear hunting). This rulemaking provides an additional state regulatory mechanism to further support removal of grizzly bears from the federal list of endangered and threatened wildlife and achieve reduction in federal regulatory burden. This rule is similar to a Wyoming regulation for use of bait in black bear hunting that has been in place for a number of years.
This rulemaking addresses the use of bait in black bear hunting in areas outside of occupied grizzly bear recovery areas identified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. (The Commission has long prohibited the use of bait in black bear hunting in occupied recovery areas in Game Management Unit 1 and Game Management Units in the Greater Yellowstone Recovery Area.)
Amber Worthington, Deputy Director
Idaho Department of Fish and Game
600 S. Walnut St.
P.O. Box 25
Boise, ID 83707