does your state require bear bait sites to be tagged w/name

[rich h]

Its my understanding some states require bear bait sites be tagged with name and other information. Anybody with information on how the process works please post.

Do you buy tags? Does your game department provide tags? How many tags can you have? Is there a fee for the tags? What happens if another hunter is found huntin goff your tagged bait site?

[onalimb]

This is a quote from page 55 in the current Idaho biggame seasons and rules pamphlet.

"ALL BAIT SITES MUST BE VISIBLY MARKED AT THE NEAREST TREE OR ON THE BAIT CONTAINER USING A TAG SUPPLIED BY FISH AND GAME"

We are only allowed one baiting permit per calender year, and it allows three bait sites. Tags are issued by mail or in person by Fish and game regional, or sub-regional offices. Our permits at this time are $12.75, and we have to follow the guidlines set in place for LOCATION, BAIT, CONTAINERS, and removal of any structures or materials used after the spring or fall season. So I take that to mean it can't be left in place from spring until fall.

[rich h]

Preston, your information is very helpful. Thank you for taking the time to respond. As you probably know, our bear numbers in a large part of the Upper Peninsula have taken a major hit due to over harvest. Much of it has to do with large commercial baiting operations running between 40 to over 100 bait sites...with a success rate of 80% or better. Sportsmen made their voices heard...regulate and license these operations. In the interum they will limit the number of bait sites a guide can operate to 12. There needs to be a system developed for identifying bait sites. Your information gives us a starting point.

We have been going over bear tooth survey data for 2005, 2006, and 2007. Successful hunters when registering bears at a check station donate a premolar for the survey. There is 93% compliance in providing a premolar. The sex and age information tells the story. Roughly 2/3rds of the bear killed in zones that once were Michigan's prime bear country were 3 years of age and younger. The data shows several bears cubs were harvested...and that's illegal. Breeding age bears...4 years and older have taken a big hit. Politics has taken the place of sound management. I'm proud to say some of our major sportsmens groups have joined forces and are now pushing back.

[spruce mountain]

In Maine all bait sites need to be tagged with your name and address.You can just make up the tags yourself.Thier is no limit to the amount of bait sites you can have.Thier is no state fee but most of our land is privately owned by timber companys and they do charge.The cost is usually about $100 per bait site.The only people who can use these sites is the person on the tag or any body else with thier permission.Hope this helps.

[rich h]

Spruce Mountain...many thanks. It helps

[Ike]

Not legal to run off bait in Utah...........

[GutEmNH]

State of NH allows us to have one single bait pile from Sept.1-21st only. We must have landowners permission, and bait piles must be logged with fish and game dept. We can not run dogs off bait piles. There are no fees.

[OB.284]

Must be tagged in WY too and you can only register two sites

[bob baldwin jr]

In maine my son and I renew our permits every year from North Maine woods Association. We are NOT commercial operators. we get 3 sites each year apiece . I think these are $65.00 apeice not sure as my son has been picking up the tab. Usually the Commercial guy's renew there area's every year ,then the guys that have been doing it privately are able to renew , and then all left-over permits are up for grabs but they are few and far between. Not always where you would like them.Dare I say that there is even a " BLACK MARKET " for bear sites between outfitters and private users.
We always provide full info Name Adress, Phone etc; at the sites and always keep copies of the permits in the trucks. We are NOT allowed to use ATV's on paper co lands
We are also required to remove all signs of baiting activity when season is over. However a lot of commercial outfitters and private use guy's do not do this ,I guess because the stands are in the same place every year

[rich h]

Many thanks to you folks responding to this thread. Its obvious other states understood what happens when there is no regulation on how many bait sites commercial operations are allowed on public land. Michigan's DNR is out on a limb over this mess. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out.

[Cat track]

In MN we have to tag our baits with Name and drivers license number. And we also have to register the location with the state. we can have as many baits as we want. But we can't hunt bear with dogs.