Alaska Federal Lands Open to Bear Baiting Under New Interior Rule

The US Department of the Interior has moved to approve a new regulation that allows hunters to lure bears with food on federal properties in Alaska. The measure, which takes effect in mid-November, replaces a 2024 policy that had strictly prohibited the practice. Under the new guidelines, individuals can use human consumables such as bacon, doughnuts, and meat scraps to attract trophy animals for close-range hunting.

The rule was published in the federal register on Friday, marking a significant shift in wildlife management policy for the region. It effectively rolls back the restrictions placed by the previous administration, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from conservation groups. These organizations argue that the change serves as a political benefit to the trophy hunting community rather than a response to scientific necessity. They have labeled the new approach as indefensible and inexcusable, warning that it could lead to more dangerous encounters between bears and humans.

Drew Robertson, a senior regulatory specialist at Humane World for Animals, expressed deep disappointment at the reversal. He characterized the baiting provision as both cruel and dangerous, posing risks not only to the wildlife population but also to the general public. Robertson argued that the method represents an extreme departure from traditional hunting concepts, noting that many hunters would not consider this a fair chase. He suggested that the move indicates a political motive rather than a careful, scientific evaluation of the practice.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum defended the decision in a press release, stating that the rule responds to the direct demands of Alaska residents. He described the framework as a commonsense approach that grants Alaskans a stronger voice in decisions affecting the lands, wildlife, and traditions they understand best. The department did not specify which foods are allowed, instead deferring to state regulations that already permit baiting. This flexibility means hunters can choose what they deem most effective to attract the animals.

Nicholas Arrivo, a managing attorney at Animal Protection Law, explained the typical mechanics of the practice. He noted that hunters generally select high-fat and high-sugar items because they are cheap and effective. The process usually involves placing the food in a steel drum or garbage can, keeping watch over it, and then shooting the bear at short range from a hidden blind. Arrivo rejected the argument that this approach gives the state appropriate control, pointing out that the lands are federal and Congress created the federal land program to place decision-making power with the federal government.

The new rule follows a series of recent actions by federal and state officials that have permitted other contested hunting methods. These include shooting bears from helicopters, targeting swimming caribou from motorboats, killing wolf pups in their dens, and using artificial lights to draw bears out. While bear baiting is not entirely unusual, with about a dozen states allowing similar practices, it remains a point of contention in many others. The change stems from an executive order signed by President Donald Trump early in his second term, titled Unleashing Alaska's Extraordinary Resource Potential.

The debate over bear baiting has a long history, having shifted back and forth between administrations. The Obama administration first imposed a ban, which was later reversed by the first Trump administration. Litigation ultimately upheld the Obama rule and overturned the Trump rule. The Biden administration reinstated the ban in 2024, largely because scientific evidence indicates that baiting makes bears more aggressive and endangers park visitors. Arrivo questioned the legality of the new rule, noting that the 2024 rule went through a more robust scientific process. He stated that scrapping that rule does not smell right and raises questions about the new measure's validity, though no decision on a lawsuit has been made yet.