This much I know, they love there "Pets" around Ashville.
This much I know, they love there "Pets" around Ashville.
I personally know a very ethical hunter in Washington county who was fined $1,000 and lost his hunting license for a year for "Feeding Bears".... He set up a bait station(processed) on his family's land just to attract and film Bears. A fed Bear is a dead Bear!
.........................r) It is unlawful to place processed food products as bait in any area of the State where the Wildlife Resources Commission has set an open season for taking black bears. For purposes of this subsection, the term "processed food products" means any food substance or flavoring that has been modified from its raw components by the addition of ingredients or by treatment to modify its chemical composition or form or to enhance its aroma or taste. The term includes substances modified by sugar, honey, syrups, oils, salts, spices, peanut butter, grease, meat, bones, or blood, as well as extracts of such substances. The term also includes sugary products such as candies, pastries, gums, and sugar blocks, as well as extracts of such products. Nothing in this subsection prohibits the lawful disposal of solid waste or the legitimate feeding of domestic animals, livestock, or birds. The prohibition against taking bears with the use and aid of bait shall not apply to the release of dogs in the vicinity of any food source that is not a processed food product as defined herein. Violation of this subsection constitutes a Class 2 misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00).
It is illegal to:
hunt bears with the use of bait.
bait or feed bears at any time.
I'm not doubting you.
Most states set a line between feeding and baiting.
West Virginia does:
It really doesn't affect me as I don't feed or bait bears anyway.
Just kinda interesting the WRC doesn't differentiate between feeding and baiting unlike most states.
If you take the description in law literally then a lot of the substances put out to feed or bait or to "attract" deer may be a violation. Depending on the GW's interpretation of course!