I am in strong favor of the…

I am in strong favor of the proposed reduction of bait distances from 200m from right of ways and recreational trails. The current 200m restriction is dangerous for the hunter, and does not reduce human / bear contact. Bear naturally travel roads and clear cuts, as they provide vegetation and other natural food sources. This is where most unwanted human / bear contact occur. Forcing a hunter to travel over 1/4 of a kilometer through dense forest in low light conditions is an unnecessary risk to their safety. One of my hunters was lost for 2 nights this spring after getting turned around coming back to his truck after an evening hunt. Others have also been lost for hours since the regulations were changed a few years ago.

Bear hunting attracts many hunters that either through age or injury can no longer pursue large game such as moose or elk. As a result of the long distances my hunters now walk they have had many more bruises, scrapes and sprains from falling walking out in low light, or trying to drag harvested bear back to the vehicles over such long distances.

While I agree that there needs to be some written restriction to keep lazy hunters from throwing bait on a road or 4 wheeler trail, something in the range of 50m is much more reasonable. It will not increase unwanted human / bear contact, and will be much safer for the hunters in the forest.