Laws Regarding Baiting

[ready2hunt]

Hey everyone,

 

I figured I would post this up since there has been some discussion. To preface my comments I would like to state that I do not work for the govt./game and fish and that I am not a lawyer (and certainly have room to learn) however I like to do my research and I like know my rights as an outdoorsman. I hope this information helps any of my fellow AZ big game enthusiasts and the CWT family in particular. Please read the whole thing though...I don't want anyone taking my words and getting into trouble.

 

 

You can bait anything except bears in the state of Arizona regardless of the species or substance you are using. If you couldn't then we wouldn't be able to hunt over water holes etc (just a touch of commen sense there)

 

There is law written about this. AZ Game and Fish Laws and Rules details this. If you are unaware- "AZ Game and Fish Laws and Rules" are a compilation of what is actually written in the "Arizona Revised Statues" or ARS.

 

This is the link to the Laws and Rules from G&F http://www.azgfd.gov..._azgfd_laws.pdf and this is a copy of the 07'-08' edition (having trouble finding a more updated version) however they will not have changed much as there are only amendments made to law yearly.

If you go to the link look up Title 12 ch.4-303 par. B (Page 97 of the link.) you can view the actual verbiage. In case you are skeptical read the first couple of pages of the link and it tells you where these sections are taken out of the ARS's and you can cross reference then on: http://www.azleg.gov/ArizonaRevisedStatutes.asp which are up to date. The law only refers to bear baiting for any reason.

 

Only AZ Game and Fish and the Bureau of Land Management have to authority to supersede this (Or any other federal agency given authority). Remember that a lot of these Game and fish people do not have the Arizona Law Statues memorized (even law enforcment has quick reference guides for citing tickets) but technically speaking Game and Fish Rangers have more power with regards to writing tickets than local law enforcement which brings me to my next topic.

 

AZ Game and Fish, the Sheriff's Dept or even Local Law Enforcement can cite you for- Damaging land with SALT and/or Mineral Blocks (because it kills plant life) or a Tree with spikes as steps to a tree stand or even cutting off branches of a tree to make room for the perfect hunting blind without a permit to harvest a tree (technically). Obvisouly private land is a little different but even then more laws come into play with permission to hunt etc. Reaslitically any agency can cite you for anything they want becuase they all work under the ARS but that is why we have to option to go to court and fight a ticket (as annoying as it is). As we all know- no one is perfect and they certainly do not get it right all the time.

 

Again, this information is not intended to get anyone out of trouble. I just decided to know my rights after a bad run in with a Game and Fish Rep. and I am the first to say that most of them are great. Its just one person to another giving information. (PS I attached a hard copy of the AZ Game and Fish Laws and Rules)

 

Its not gospel but I hope it helps and only 3 1/2 months till archery season!!!

all_azgfd_laws.pdf

[JLW]

bears and migratory birds....

what was your run in? were you cited? what for and how did it turn out?

what unit? wilderness area?

 

James

[ready2hunt]

bears and migratory birds....

what was your run in? were you cited? what for and how did it turn out?

what unit? wilderness area?

 

James

 

I was on my first jr. hunt years ago with my father and grandfather. It was an anterless hunt in Kiabab. My grandfather dropped my dad and I off on old logging rd about 30min. in on opening morning. We hiked 100 yrds and he spotted several does in a feild so we set up and my dad walked me through the whole "know your shot and beyond etc" and I took my animal.

 

Turned out that it was a buck but the "nubs" had not broken through the skin so it was legal. After being so pumped I had taken my first big game animal and pictures with my dad and grandfather, my father starts showing me how to feild dress the deer. Out of no where a game and fish guy walks up between my father and I (Without saying a word) grabs the head and starts rubbing the head with his hand to see if the knub would push through. He then started grilling me about unethical shots and that should have not shot him and that I can have my licsence taken away (All the while never saying who he is or aknowledging my dad or grandfather.) Naturally my dad steps in because the guy was inches away from my nose and they get in a shouting match for 10-15min. Needless to say at 14 yrs old on my first hunt I felt bad and it ruined that morning. So since that time I make sure I know my rights as well as do's and dont's and it has come in handy several times when setting up a camera or walking around with corn. I am willing to bet the G & F was having a bad morning but just the same it was unncessary.

[Elkhunter1]

bears and migratory birds....

what was your run in? were you cited? what for and how did it turn out?

what unit? wilderness area?

 

James

 

I was on my first jr. hunt years ago with my father and grandfather. It was an anterless hunt in Kiabab. My grandfather dropped my dad and I off on old logging rd about 30min. in on opening morning. We hiked 100 yrds and he spotted several does in a feild so we set up and my dad walked me through the whole "know your shot and beyond etc" and I took my animal.

 

Turned out that it was a buck but the "nubs" had not broken through the skin so it was legal. After being so pumped I had taken my first big game animal and pictures with my dad and grandfather, my father starts showing me how to feild dress the deer. Out of no where a game and fish guy walks up between my father and I (Without saying a word) grabs the head and starts rubbing the head with his hand to see if the knub would push through. He then started grilling me about unethical shots and that should have not shot him and that I can have my licsence taken away (All the while never saying who he is or aknowledging my dad or grandfather.) Naturally my dad steps in because the guy was inches away from my nose and they get in a shouting match for 10-15min. Needless to say at 14 yrs old on my first hunt I felt bad and it ruined that morning. So since that time I make sure I know my rights as well as do's and dont's and it has come in handy several times when setting up a camera or walking around with corn. I am willing to bet the G & F was having a bad morning but just the same it was unncessary.

Sorry to hear that, all law enforcement agencies do have a few bad apples in them. Sounds like he was pushing for his first case. ( a little green)

[uofahughes2]

Thought I'd share this with you guys... Not hijacking the post, just thought it was humerus.

 

[ThomC]

I dont have an opinion on your stories except the use of "my rights". I dont think that anyone has a "right" to kill any animal. It is a privilege and you must follow rules.

[JLW]

I dont have an opinion on your stories except the use of "my rights". I dont think that anyone has a "right" to kill any animal. It is a privilege and you must follow rules.

did I misread something?

I thought he meant "my rights" as what is legal and not legal in regards to baiting and how the law can be read by some authorities as destroying plant life by pouring salt and cutting branches... not the right to kill an animal.

 

James

[ThomC]

aa o never mind. I will exercise "my right" to remain silent because anything I say on the internet could be used against me or cause confusion.

[Hunterjohnny]

aa o never mind. I will exercise "my right" to remain silent because anything I say on the internet could be used against me or cause confusion.

 

I do that all the time!

[CouesWhitetail]

Thanks for the info! hughes, that sign cracks me up!

[Tines]

bears and migratory birds....

what was your run in? were you cited? what for and how did it turn out?

what unit? wilderness area?

 

James

 

I was on my first jr. hunt years ago with my father and grandfather. It was an anterless hunt in Kiabab. My grandfather dropped my dad and I off on old logging rd about 30min. in on opening morning. We hiked 100 yrds and he spotted several does in a feild so we set up and my dad walked me through the whole "know your shot and beyond etc" and I took my animal.

 

Turned out that it was a buck but the "nubs" had not broken through the skin so it was legal. After being so pumped I had taken my first big game animal and pictures with my dad and grandfather, my father starts showing me how to feild dress the deer. Out of no where a game and fish guy walks up between my father and I (Without saying a word) grabs the head and starts rubbing the head with his hand to see if the knub would push through. He then started grilling me about unethical shots and that should have not shot him and that I can have my licsence taken away (All the while never saying who he is or aknowledging my dad or grandfather.) Naturally my dad steps in because the guy was inches away from my nose and they get in a shouting match for 10-15min. Needless to say at 14 yrs old on my first hunt I felt bad and it ruined that morning. So since that time I make sure I know my rights as well as do's and dont's and it has come in handy several times when setting up a camera or walking around with corn. I am willing to bet the G & F was having a bad morning but just the same it was unncessary.

 

My kids aren't old enough to hunt yet but I sure hope I can keep my cool if some random guy happens to come up and start in with my child like that. What a tool....

[#1huntinfool]

bears and migratory birds....

what was your run in? were you cited? what for and how did it turn out?

what unit? wilderness area?

 

James

 

I was on my first jr. hunt years ago with my father and grandfather. It was an anterless hunt in Kiabab. My grandfather dropped my dad and I off on old logging rd about 30min. in on opening morning. We hiked 100 yrds and he spotted several does in a feild so we set up and my dad walked me through the whole "know your shot and beyond etc" and I took my animal.

 

Turned out that it was a buck but the "nubs" had not broken through the skin so it was legal. After being so pumped I had taken my first big game animal and pictures with my dad and grandfather, my father starts showing me how to feild dress the deer. Out of no where a game and fish guy walks up between my father and I (Without saying a word) grabs the head and starts rubbing the head with his hand to see if the knub would push through. He then started grilling me about unethical shots and that should have not shot him and that I can have my licsence taken away (All the while never saying who he is or aknowledging my dad or grandfather.) Naturally my dad steps in because the guy was inches away from my nose and they get in a shouting match for 10-15min. Needless to say at 14 yrs old on my first hunt I felt bad and it ruined that morning. So since that time I make sure I know my rights as well as do's and dont's and it has come in handy several times when setting up a camera or walking around with corn. I am willing to bet the G & F was having a bad morning but just the same it was unncessary.

 

I had something like that happen to me to a few years ago. Sir Royal can back me up on this. We had shot a bull on this fellows land, unknowingly ( he never had a single NO TRESPASSING sign up.) He was drunk, and he had a shotgun, (I had a .45.) he ended up calling the cops, when they showed up, they ended up bustin him for DUI. we drove away scot free ( well almost)