Hunter bear bait ban proposed for Alaska national preserves
Source: Associated Press
Hunter bear bait ban proposed for Alaska national preserves
By BECKY BOHRER
January 6, 2023
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Bear hunters in Alaska would no longer be able to use bait, such as pastries, dog food or bacon grease, under a proposed rule by the National Park Service on Friday that would prohibit bear baiting in national preserves in the state.
It’s the latest in a dispute over what animal rights supporters call a cruel practice. The park service also says the new proposal would, in part, “lower the risk that bears will associate food at bait stations with humans and become conditioned to eating human-produced foods.”
The agency will be taking public comments on the proposal.
In September, U.S. District Court Judge Sharon Gleason found problems with a 2020 Trump administration-era rule that lifted restrictions previously in place on sport hunting and trapping in national preserves in Alaska, including bear baiting. The case was brought by conservation and animal rights groups.
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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/politics-alaska-animals-bears-32307821e52cb22be73decb2af2cfa6d
