IDFG Holds Meeting to Discuss Bear Baiting Rule in Grizzly Habitat

The Idaho Fish & Game Commission sets two types of regulations: seasons and rules. Seasons are the regulations dealing with season length and dates and do not require legislative approval. Rules are those non-biological actions such as method of take and tag quotas and must be adopted following the Idaho Administrative Procedure Act,then approved by the Idaho Legislature. Gathering of public comment is an important portion of determining the feasibility of negotiated rulemaking, in this case regarding a proposal to modify certain methods of black bear baiting in those areas of the Upper Snake Region that are once again being utilized by grizzly bears. In January, the Idaho Department of Fish & Game (IDFG) solicited public comment regarding a draft proposal that would require black bear baiters in three Game Management Units in the Upper Snake Region where grizzly bears are now being found to switch to using only natural, unprocessed foods for bait. A recent change in IDFG regulations now allows individuals to claim and utilize certain animals that have died after being struck by vehicles. Many of these animals are not fit for human consumption, but would work well to attract a bear. This proposed rule change was intended to address a public safety concern by reducing the potential for food conditioning and creation of nuisance bears in occupied grizzly bear habitat where it is currently legal to use bait to hunt black bears. The proposed rule change would apply to game management unit 60, the western 1/3 of unit 61, and in that portion of game management unit 65 east of state highway 33. Bear hunters would be required to use unprocessed, natural baits in these areas. Natural bait is defined as naturally occurring plant foods (for example, roots, and berries), the parts of unprotected or predatory wildlife, nongame fish, or certain wildlife killed by vehicle collisions and legally salvaged. IDFG received nearly 200 comments in January regarding this proposed change. Many commenters suggested modifications to the proposed rule change or alternative solutions to address the safety concerns. The IDFG would like to have further discussions with interested individuals to improve the proposed rule change and develop alternative approaches to address safety concerns associated with food-conditioned bear. To facilitate this rulemaking process a special meeting will be held at the IDFG Regional Office located at 4275 Commerce Circle in Idaho Falls at 6:30 pm on Monday, May 12, 2014. The meeting will start with presentations to help inform the public about the history of grizzly bear recovery in the Yellowstone Ecosystem and how sportsmen can work at maintaining traditional hunting methods, while at the same time taking steps to help reduce the potential for conflicts between grizzly bears and humans. The meeting will be led by an independent professional moderator who will make sure that everyone's comments are recorded. All of the comments received at the meeting will be taken by local Idaho Fish & Game Commissioner Kenny Anderson and presented at the next Commission meeting. The Commission will review the comments and discuss how to proceed with the rulemaking process. The meeting is open to all interested individuals. Anyone with questions about the meeting or requiring special accommodations to attend the meeting should contact Gregg Losinski at 208-390-0635 or through the Idaho Relay Service at 1-800-377-3529(TDD).