Legalizing baiting for bear in West Virginia

ash2042 · 06-25-2005, 03:20 PM

I was wanting some thoughts from people. What do you think, would you like to see baitng legalized for bears in WV? If so why, and if not why not.

davidmil · 06-26-2005, 09:49 AM

Don't know enough about the present population and kill numbers to give a thought on it. If the herd size is maitaining the status quo at this point, I'd say baiting would be a bad idea. IF they can't control the herd and they're having lots of bear incidents, then maybe it's time. From what I've read, I really don't think that's a problem. I think it should probably be left as it is. I think numbers can be contained simply by shifting season dates and lengths a little if need be. Baiting causes it's own problems. You already have lots of baiting going on that's illegal, plus all the corn and stuff thrown out for deer draws bears causing lots mor stress on the herd. I just don't see WVA's herd big enough to justify it.

huntinwv · 06-27-2005, 06:59 AM

I don't know enough about bear to say ya or nay, but I do know that the DNR is trapping alot of nuisance bears and relocating. I know two houses that has already had bear at their back door. One is in the center of a small town. Is this a sign of high population??? The last three years they have opened a week of dog hunting in some southern counties that haven't had it in a while. The bow only counties doesn't have this bear season,, you can only hunt bear by bow. This is also where the bear where seen, in bow only counties.

To try and answer the question, it depends on the location. I believe you have to look at specific regions rather than on a state wide basis. I would like to see baiting allowed where I hunt at.

ash2042 · 06-27-2005, 06:19 PM

Thanks for the thoughts, I would have to agree that baiting is already going on. I would say 80% of bears killed with a bow in WV have been baited.

Pro-Line · 06-28-2005, 04:14 AM

Ash...I bet your 80% number is right on the ball.

I own a camp in Braxton county...bought in 1965 or so. We had NEVER seen a bear until last year...and now we see them regularly. We've seen a couple lone boars, a small sow, a big sow with cubs...

I believe the population is either growing like hell or they are expanding.

Rem1100 · 06-28-2005, 04:11 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: Pro-Line

Ash...I bet your 80% number is right on the ball.

I own a camp in Braxton county...bought in 1965 or so. We had NEVER seen a bear until last year...and now we see them regularly. We've seen a couple lone boars, a small sow, a big sow with cubs...

I believe the population is either growing like hell or they are expanding.

..or they're being baited in all around your place......illegally,of course....

Pro-Line · 06-28-2005, 04:36 PM

Good point, Rem. They did come in to our deer feeder (which we do not hunt over) and that was their main interest.

It's just a corn feeder, though. I would imagine that somebody may have been giving them something a little better than that. LOL