The proposed change will…

The proposed change will create a serious hazard for people who use hiking trails in the areas baited for bears. While the bait is present, it will attract bears to an area is close proximity to people and will increase the likelihood of bear/human contact. When the bait is not present, the area will have become an expected source of food for the bears and will again increase the likelihood of human-bear interactions.

What is being proposed is likely to cause injury to people using nearby trails and is likely to result in the need to unnecessarily destroy bears because they have come in close contact with people.

Hikers, and other users of rights-of-way, do not need the additional danger of coming into contact with bears while out enjoying nature. Hikers do not routinely carry weapons and therefore have little or no protection from bears.