Arizona Bait Ban - AZGF wants "Bait" ban

[Coach]

Sorry boys, baiting on public land is gone. Even if you stop it this go round, it'll be back.

 

Even if a law is passed, I don't think AZ hunters will ever stop hunting over salt. Imagine being a public prosecutor trying to make a case against someone shooting a deer over a salt lick. If they have to prove that the hunter actually put the salt there, they are hamstrung. If they had to prove intent by somehow showing they knew an established salt lick was there, they are hamstrung.

 

It's a totally un-enforceable law. How far from the salt do you have to be? Is every trail that goes near a salt lick illegal? If you've ever had any encounters with the local justice, you know how overwhelmed they are by DUI repeats, domestic fights and B.S. IMO, they don't have the bandwidth to handle "Joe shot a deer that might be on a trial to a spot where Larry dumped some salt". They are up to their eyeballs in 2nd and 3rd offense shoplifters, driving without a license, stealing out of the cash drawer at Wendy's or little league fund.

 

If this does pass, it will by symbolic at best - and some people will be made examples of, but it won't stop hunters from using salt, alphalpha, corn or store-bought attracants. It will, however create a rift between normally law abiding hunters and G&F officers trying to enforce a law they don't even believe in.

 

 

 

don't kid yourself.

 

in arkansas a few years back, somebody got mad at a hunter, and put corn under his tree stand, which is illegal. then they called dnr and reported the dude hunting over bait. DNR showed with leafblowers and cleared the area and found one, yes, ONE kernel of corn, and threw the guy in jail, took his truck and his gun.

 

True story.

 

 

Wow, I hope that never happens here. But I still believe after 3 decades of hunting and dealing with our G&F LEO's that we are way better off than many other states. There have been the odd "tools" over the years, but overall, my interaction with G&F has been extremeley positive. And I'd rather continue that positive relationship with them than start rift over something like salt or corn.

[Swivelhead]

I believe that G&F is primarily concerned with "food" bait. Hopefully, any rule changes will deal with that issue specifically. Salt/minerals are everywhere both natural and artificial. Let that dog sleep.

[bowsniper]

And I'd rather continue that positive relationship with them than start rift over something like salt or corn.

 

Guys, it's not a law, this “proposal” would be an Article 3 rule change. "Laws" must go through the legislature. AZG&F Article 3 rules define prohibited means of taking wildlife. Rules are proposed by AZGF and approved by the commission. By law, the commission must accept public input, but by no means have to listen or listen to reason. The can do what they want. I think that the only way we could possibly avoid this rule change is by MASSIVE opposition by 1000's of letters addressed to each commissioner, and by 1000's of angry hunters showing up to the meeting when they vote on it. (that will not be this weekend) If we could demonstrate that we hunters have some balls and demand to herd, maybe AZGF will be a little more careful with rule changes.

Coach, I don't mean to flame you buddy, but I am stunned at what you said!! That's like saying "if I’m careful and be nice and not complain, maybe after this new rule they'll leave me alone and not hurt me".

 

Mark

[reganranch]

Yeah totally agree bowsniper this is something you can't just look the other way on. Playing pattycake with GW's won't work forever. We hunters cannot be passive and if you want what's best for our state and the future of Hunting/Fishing we should all write letters and attend the meeting.

[Swivelhead]

Yeah totally agree bowsniper this is something you can't just look the other way on. Playing pattycake with GW's won't work forever. I'm not a pacifist and if you want what's best for our state and the future of Hunting/Fishing we should all write letters and attend the meeting.

I would agree getting involved at Commission meetings is a good thing. The baiting issue is a tough sell to non-hunters (try it sometime). Eventually, non-hunters will likely determine the future of hunting via a ballot initiative advocated by anti-hunters. I believe this is precisely why the G&F will eventually get around to banning bait.

[reganranch]

I've tried there are more ingonarant people now a days then ever. These non hunters (majority being Libs) understand little to nothing about conservation, or that revenue from Big Game Hunting keeps the sheep alive, and managing healthy herds for the most part. They just believe if we leave wildlife alone it will self sustain. This is not the case since Urbanization of Arizona concerning damming up the rivers and streams that used to flow throughout the state. These are the same people who wear stupid winne the pooh shirts gazing at a pump jack( negative connotation towards petroleum). What they don't understand is that those pump jacks put asphalt on the road they drive on, the fuel in their Honda civic, the jet fuel the jets use that fly them to all the hippie concerts, Benzene is the number one basic compound used for many Pharamaceutcals. These people are the Desecration of out Beautiful Country.

[Willyhunts2]

Isn't it illegal to bait in California. I think I remember uncle Ted receiving a ticket after one of his shows aired deer hunting over there. Everything seems to slowly trickle over from our neighbors it seems.

[willhunt4coues]

CWD will never hit here because we do not have the population of deer like where CWD is. That is just a scare tactic to make you believe its good to ban. No matter what, Ranchers will put salt out for cattle so how will taking SALT away do any good if the ranchers keep putting it out? I could see them taking corn, oats because they are not grown in Arizona everywhere. To take away salt and minerals well that's everywhere in the dirt. Some of my buddies are going to Sportsmans, bass pro, and cabels and are going to try and collect signatures if allowed, If they talk with the managers and advise them that this will effect their sales on supplements then maybe they will be allowed to sit for a few hours and collect. If you see them there sign the paper. I hope this goes away like last time but I believe it will just keep coming back like some have said.

[ForkHorn]

If the concern really was CWD then they would also discontinue the policy of building water catchments.

[Coues 'n' Sheep]

Here we go again... I agree with many that this is just the begining... we all know that they are gunna go after water sources next.... what better way to end the "first come first serve" dilema, and the added "advantage" than to outlaw water catchments, tanks and springs from being hunted over. What happens if you shoot a critter with a rifle that is standing on a rancher's salt lick? What happen if someone dumps bait under a bush cause they don't want you hunting there?? And what about opportunity???? Women hunters, kids, new hunters, the handicapped? They are the ones that REALLY suffer the most from this rule change... How we "out smart" our prey should be our choice based on our own definition of a "a hunt"... Bottom line they wanna sell the tags, but they don't want you to fill them....Do Mountain lions care how, or what advantage they used to close thdeal on a meal??? NO... Survival of the fittest and smarest... lions take more deer each year than all hunters combined I bet here in AZ... This Idea of a rule has more Hypocrisies than anything I have seen yet... and swings a door wide open to wage war on all hunters/sportsman and any "advantage" that the AZGFD and the Greenies see as "too much". I know we all don't see eye to eye on many things, but we ALL must stand together now, they are coming for us! AZ hunters are some of the most inovative outdoorsman in the western US and that is why they want this rule... they want control the things that they deem as an "advantage"... Cover sents, calls, urine & tarsel glands.... whay 10 items do you carry in your pack that they might start adding into this rule as time goes on???? One Voice as Sportsman... That is where we all need to be!!!

[Snapshot]

I don't understand why this would be an issue. If a hunter wants to purchase mineral blocks and lug the heavy things into their hunting area, what's it going to hurt? I could understand if bait or blocks had an adverse effect on the wildlife or environment. I don't use bait or blocks, but you would think that mineral licks would help provide wildlife with added nutrients. G&F builds watering spots for animals, whats the difference?

[gotcoues]

Your inbox is full Bowsniper, tried to send you a message.

[huntjunkie]

I don't understand why this would be an issue. If a hunter wants to purchase mineral blocks and lug the heavy things into their hunting area, what's it going to hurt? I could understand if bait or blocks had an adverse effect on the wildlife or environment. I don't use bait or blocks, but you would think that mineral licks would help provide wildlife with added nutrients. G&F builds watering spots for animals, whats the difference?

The issue is, it's one more turn of the screw! Little but little they will make it harder(ie more rules for you to follow) and people will give up hunting. The ahh...just ain't worth it attitude will prevail. Look how the FS is closing roads, making it harder for everyone to access "their" forests. Same rules apply here. Do you really think the greenies, lib, whoever, really care about the animals??? No, they just don't want you killing them. They don't understand game management nor will they ever.

And the difference is when your a "activist" or government rules don't apply to you.

[twigsnapper]

Where is ADA on this?

[AZLance]

Where is PBJ and AZSFW ???