Bear bait placement law for those unaware....

[MikePal]

This change has been talked about for awhile now? I think it's actually old news for quite a few people. Most certainly, it's up to the hunter to familiarise themselves with any and all regulations pertaining to the species they are hunting? Kinda goes without saying in the hunting fraternity.

I wonder if the courts will throw out the charge because the rule wasn't highlighted that year HaHa...

[Gilroy]

The issue isn't that it's not written down. The issue is that they are supposed to highlight all new regulations, which they do. You can't expect people to notice a change in a fine-print number, especially when the MNR basically says "nothing new here, move along". They have to highlight changes in regulation.

Your 100% right.

[greatwhite]

So my best friend up near Bissett Creek was out hiking along the powerlines which is also a skidoo and ATV road it's posted for skidooing. He was wondering if they were allowed to bait right beside the road as there were 3 bait stands only a few meters off the road. Based on this I would say they are not suppose to bait. Is he right based on the third bullet? He doesn't hunt bears and after running into one last hike he is now considering buying a license so he can carry his gun while hunting.

During the spring and fall black bear seasons, bait may not be placed for the purpose of bear hunting:
•
within 500 metres of a dwelling, unless written permission is obtained from the owner of the dwelling
•
within 500 metres of a public building
•
within 30 metres of a right of way for public vehicular traffic or a sign posted/marked recreational trail that is established and maintained by an organization for the general public.

[trimmer21]

So my best friend up near Bissett Creek was out hiking along the powerlines which is also a skidoo and ATV road it's posted for skidooing. He was wondering if they were allowed to bait right beside the road as there were 3 bait stands only a few meters off the road. Based on this I would say they are not suppose to bait. Is he right based on the third bullet? He doesn't hunt bears and after running into one last hike he is now considering buying a license so he can carry his gun while hunting.

During the spring and fall black bear seasons, bait may not be placed for the purpose of bear hunting:
•
within 500 metres of a dwelling, unless written permission is obtained from the owner of the dwelling
•
within 500 metres of a public building
•
within 30 metres of a right of way for public vehicular traffic or a sign posted/marked recreational trail that is established and maintained by an organization for the general public.

If the trail is NOT maintained by an organization,then,yes,it's 100% legal.

[greatwhite]

Does a maintained skidoo trail count.

If the trail is NOT maintained by an organization,then,yes,it's 100% legal.

[trimmer21]

Does a maintained skidoo trail count.

Apparently from how it was explained to me,trails only become "maintained" when they're groomed by snow cats after they're open for use. Legally,I'm not sure how a court would rule on a viable trail during the off season. Common sense would dictate that they are NOT.

[MihajloSimsic]

Apparently from how it was explained to me,trails only become "maintained" when they're groomed by snow cats after they're open for use. Legally,I'm not sure how a court would rule on a viable trail during the off season. Common sense would dictate that they are NOT.

If we want to get into technicalities then it's not a maintained trail for the duration of the bear season. I personally don't bait too close to snowmobile/ATV trails as there's usually traffic from ATVs or pressure from other hunters. I'll usually stick to overgrown trails or bushwacking for at least 50m.

[trimmer21]

If we want to get into technicalities then it's not a maintained trail for the duration of the bear season. I personally don't bait too close to snowmobile/ATV trails as there's usually traffic from ATVs or pressure from other hunters. I'll usually stick to overgrown trails or bushwacking for at least 50m.

That would certainly be the prudent thing to do,regardless. Better safe than sorry.