Trump Administration Reverses Biden Era Ban to Allow Bear Baiting on Federal Land
Federal regulators have issued a final rule permitting hunters to lure bears with food on public lands in Alaska, a policy shift that has drawn sharp criticism from animal welfare advocates.
By Mei Ling ·
The debate over hunting practices on public lands has intensified as federal officials move to alter regulations governing how bears are pursued in Alaska. The Department of the Interior announced the finalization of a rule permitting the use of bait on federal lands. Published in the federal register, the rule is scheduled to take effect in mid-November. It overturns a prohibition established during the Biden administration in 2024, allowing hunters to utilize human food products such as bacon or doughnuts to lure bears. The Trump administration contends that this measure represents a commonsense framework that responds to the demands of Alaskan residents.
The proposed method for hunting bears has drawn sharp criticism regarding both its nature and its legality. Opponents describe the practice as cruel and dangerous, arguing that it compromises public safety by potentially making bears more aggressive around people. Furthermore, critics question the integrity of the hunt, noting that baiting involves placing high fat and high sugar food in a drum or container to shoot the animal at close range. Some observers characterize the rule as an indefensible political favor to trophy hunters rather than a carefully considered policy.
Legal experts are raising concerns about whether federal regulators have the authority to implement this change. One attorney stated that the approach is anathema to federal land management goals regarding wildlife diversity. Additionally, questions persist regarding the legality of the rule, as it bypasses the scientific process that supported the previous regulation. While the federal rule does not specify particular baits, it defers to state regulations which permit such practices.
The history of bear baiting regulations in Alaska has been marked by shifting policies and legal challenges. A ban on baiting was first implemented during the Obama administration, but the first Trump administration subsequently reversed the rule. Litigation at that time overturned the Trump administration's position. The Biden administration reinstated the ban in 2024, largely because science indicates baiting makes bears more aggressive and endangers park visitors.
This regulatory shift is linked to an executive order signed by Donald Trump early in his second administration, titled Unleashing Alaska's Extraordinary Resource Potential. Critics argue that because the order directed the rule to be reissued, it points to a political motive rather than careful consideration. The rule follows other recent moves by Alaska and federal officials to permit contested hunting methods, including shooting bears from helicopters and killing wolf pups in their dens.
The administration is moving forward with the rule set to take effect in mid-November, though potential litigation remains a possibility. Environmental groups and animal protection organizations have expressed dismay at the return of baiting, stating that they have not yet decided on a lawsuit. The reversal of the 2024 rule, which went through a more robust scientific process, raises questions about the legality of this new regulation.
Source: The Guardian
