Alaska Hunting Rules: Federal Lands Open to Bear Baiting on November 12

Hunters in Alaska can begin using food lures on federal lands starting November 12, according to a rule finalized by the Department of the Interior. The new regulation replaces a 2024 ban issued by the Biden administration. This change permits the use of human foods, such as bacon, doughnuts, and meat scraps, to attract bears for hunting purposes.

The rule was published in the Federal Register on Friday. It takes effect in mid-November. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated in a press release that the move responds to demands from Alaska residents. He described the framework as commonsense, giving locals a stronger voice in decisions regarding their local wildlife and traditions.

The federal rule does not list specific foods. Instead, it defers to state regulations, which already allow baiting. Nicholas Arrivo, a managing attorney at Animal Protection Law, explained that hunters typically choose high-fat and high-sugar foods because they are cheap and effective. The standard method involves placing food in a steel drum or garbage can. Hunters then keep watch and shoot the bear at short range from a nearby blind.

Critics argue the practice makes bears more aggressive around people. Drew Robertson, a senior regulatory specialist for Humane World for Animals, called the provision cruel and dangerous to both wildlife and the public. He noted that many hunters do not view baiting as a fair chase. Robertson said the method is more extreme than traditional hunting practices.

This decision follows an executive order signed by Donald Trump early in his second administration. The order, titled Unleashing Alaska's Extraordinary Resource Potential, directed the reissue of the rule. Robertson argued that the executive mandate points to a political motive rather than careful scientific consideration.

The history of this regulation is contentious. The Obama administration first imposed a ban, which the first Trump administration reversed. Litigation later upheld the Obama rule. The Biden administration reinstated the ban in 2024, citing scientific evidence that baiting endangers park visitors by increasing bear aggression.

Arrivo rejected the argument that the rule gives the state appropriate control. He noted that Congress created the federal land program to place decision-making power with the federal government. He stated that the new approach is anathema to federal land management goals of preserving wildlife diversity. A lawsuit has not yet been filed, but Arrivo said the quick reversal of the 2024 rule raises questions about its legality.