With hunting season upon us, questions often come up about species for which a sportsman can set bait, or whether it is legal to harvest animals via the aid of a salt lick or artificial water source.
To help clarify the use of bait in Idaho as an aid to harvesting wildlife, I have provided a series of frequently asked questions. This information is not intended to account for every scenario — but this should help hunters and trappers understand some of the basic rules of bait use.
Q: Can I use bait to hunt big game?
A: Bait for hunting is defined as any substance placed to attract game animals, except liquid scent for deer and elk. In Idaho, the only big game species for which a hunter can set bait is black bear. Using salt licks as a lure to hunt mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, and other big game species is illegal. If you wish to use bait to hunt black bear, then you must purchase a bear baiting permit from Fish and Game via a personal visit to a regional office or by mail. You must follow all rules and procedures associated with that permit. For more information, visit Fish and Game’s website at https://idfg.idaho.gov or give your nearest Idaho Fish and Game office a call.
Q: Can I set bait for hunting wolves?
A: No. Baiting or hunting big game over bait is illegal, except for black bears (and only with a valid bear baiting permit); however, wolves may be taken incidentally to bear baiting. It is unlawful to hunt wolves within 200 yards of the perimeter of any designated dump or sanitary landfill. And, it is unlawful to hunt, trap or pursue wolves within one-half mile of any active Idaho Fish and Game big game feeding site.
Q: Can I set bait for trapping wolves?
A: Yes. Trapping is a different process than hunting. Whether the target is wolves or another species for which trapping is legal, there are specific regulations that must be followed. Please note sportsmen must pass a Fish and Game wolf trapping education course before they can buy a wolf tag for trapping.
Q: A hunter stumbled across a salt block in the mountains on public land in his family’s traditional hunt unit for deer. He figured it would be considered baiting if he hunted in the area even though he did not place the salt lick. Was he right?
A: Bait for hunting is defined as something placed to attract wildlife. However, many ranchers use salt blocks to manage cattle movement within an allotment on public land. If the salt was placed for livestock and not to attract wildlife, it would be legal to hunt over.
If you find a salt block in your hunt area you will have to make that ethical decision whether you believe that salt was left for livestock or whether it was placed as bait to wildlife.
There is not a legal distance associated with the baiting law. The intent of the law is to prohibit hunting if the salt was placed to attract wildlife and if that salt has influenced or enticed wildlife on a path that allows the hunter the advantage.
Q: Can I set a temporary bait site in order to lure animals for the purpose of photography or wildlife watching?
A: Technically, yes. But please note that doing so may cause wildlife to move into areas in which they may cause problems for themselves, other wildlife, and people. For example, don’t set up a salt lick or other kind of lure for mule deer that draws them across a busy road or out of their preferred natural habitat.
Also, check with the appropriate land management agencies about their rules for setting salt licks and baits sites on public lands.
In the past we have seen hunters set bait to photograph animals, such as deer or elk, on their trail cameras. Then before the season opens, they pull the bait and hunt that area. The problem is that animals become habituated to the area-- coming for the bait even if it is no longer there. This is still baiting under the definition. So the next obvious question is how much time must lapse between pulling the bait and hunting the area? There is no set amount of time. The safe bet is to simply not bait areas you intend to hunt (with exception to bear baiting as described above).
Q: Can I hunt animals over an artificial water source?
A: Depends. If you come across a stock pond or water trough that was specifically established for use by livestock, then you can hunt wildlife that may also be using that same water source. However, you cannot establish your own water trough for the purposed of luring wildlife for hunting, nor can you refill or add water to a livestock water source that has run dry.
In no way is this article a substitute for reading the regulations and asking questions before you go afield this hunting season. If you need further clarification or have additional questions, please give our regional Fish and Game office a call at 208-232-4703. You can also submit a wildlife-related question or find the answers to frequently asked questions by visiting https://idfg.idaho.gov/questions.
Jennifer Jackson is the Regional Conservation Educator for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, southeast region.
