Interior Department Sets Nov. 12 Start Date for Bear Baiting on Federal Forests
New regulations replace a 2024 ban, allowing hunters to use human food to lure bears on Alaska public lands.
By Lina Lewis ·
The Interior Department published a final rule on Friday that authorizes bear baiting on federal lands in Alaska, with the new provisions taking effect on November 12.
The regulation replaces a 2024 mandate from the Biden administration that had prohibited the practice. Under the new guidelines, hunters may place human food items, such as bacon, doughnuts, and meat scraps, in designated locations to attract bears. The federal rule does not specify which foods are allowed, instead deferring to state regulations that generally permit the use of high-fat, high-sugar items. Nicholas Arrivo, a managing attorney at Animal Protection Law, noted that hunters typically utilize the most cost-effective foods to draw animals into range.
Doug Burgum, the Interior secretary, issued a press release stating that the rule responds to requests from Alaskans. He characterized the decision as a commonsense framework designed to give residents a stronger voice in managing local wildlife and land traditions. The move aligns with an executive order signed by President Donald Trump early in his second term, titled Unleashing Alaska's Extraordinary Resource Potential, which directed the reissuance of the baiting rule.
Critics argue the change benefits trophy hunters and increases the risk of human-bear conflict. Drew Robertson, senior regulatory specialist for Humane World for Animals, described the provision as cruel and dangerous to both wildlife and the public. Robertson contended that the practice is more extreme than traditional fair-chase hunting and is not viewed as fair by many hunters. He also suggested that the directive in the executive order points to a political motive rather than a thorough scientific review.
The shift reverses a long-standing regulatory pattern. The Obama administration first imposed a ban, which the initial Trump administration reversed. Subsequent litigation upheld the Obama rule and struck down the first Trump rule, leading the Biden administration to reinstate the prohibition in 2024. Scientists have indicated that baiting can make bears more aggressive around people, posing a danger to park visitors. Arrivo questioned the legality of the new rule, noting that federal land management goals prioritize preserving wildlife diversity and that Congress intended for the federal government to hold decision-making power over these lands.
