I am strongly AGAINST…

I am strongly AGAINST decreasing the distance requirement for placement of bait. I live in bear country and must be wary of hunters and baiting stations. The current 200 meter requirement is already too close and I have had very close encounters with not only hunters but the bears who are attracted to the bait station. A bait station 30 metres off the trail will only increase the likelihood of bear encounters while I am hiking or biking. It also puts me in danger from the hunter who could shoot me by accident.

To access my home I must use a vehicular right away that cuts through our property. Legalizing a bait station 30 meters from that right away is incredibly irresponsible and dangerous for my grandchildren who play in the area. I believe if something bad happened I would have grounds to sue.

The spring bear hunt just ended and I now have the task of cleaning up after the inconsiderate hunters who left rotting meat, rotting fish, dog food, ripped bloodied grain sacks, ripped bloodied plastic bags, food wrappers, human waste, bins, barrels, ropes, tarps and crates. This garbage will attract bears, wolves and foxes and the trail we bike/hike on is exactly 200 meters away. 30 meters would make it preposterous and dangerous. You would knowingly be putting non hunters, cyclists, hikers, joggers and dog walkers in perilous circumstances.

The bear hunters have cut down trees for line of site to the bait stations (the ones I must now clean up) and this puts the open area even closer to the hiking trail.

Many of the hunters are not responsible people and they already DO NOT FOLLOW the regulations. The spring bear hunt hunters left an orphaned cub to die of starvation, and many other cubs to be rescued and cared for by people who give a damn.

I believe the groups who want to change the distance to 30 meters and just too lazy to walk the distance. Why should it be even easier for them? It is already like shooting fish in a barrel.