Bacon and Doughnuts Return to Federal Forests for Bear Hunts

Hunters in Alaska may begin using food to lure bears onto federal lands on November 12. The practice involves placing items such as bacon, doughnuts, and meat scraps in a container to attract the animals for a close-range shot. The U.S. Department of the Interior published the final rule in the Federal Register on Friday, replacing the 2024 prohibition under the Biden administration.

The new regulation does not specify which foods are allowed. It defers to state regulations, which currently permit baiting. Nicholas Arrivo, a managing attorney at Animal Protection Law, explained that hunters typically select high-fat and high-sugar foods because they are cheap and effective. The standard procedure involves placing the food in a steel drum, monitoring it, and shooting the bear from a nearby blind at short range.

Supporters of the rule view it as a restoration of local tradition. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a press release that the measure responds to demands from Alaska residents. He described the policy as a "commonsense framework" that gives Alaskans a stronger voice in decisions affecting their lands and wildlife.

Opponents argue the rule prioritizes trophy hunting over public safety. Drew Robertson, senior regulatory specialist for Humane World for Animals, called the practice "cruel and dangerous, not only to wildlife but the public as well." Environmental groups have labeled the new measure "indefensible and inexcusable." Robertson noted that many hunters do not view baiting as a fair chase, describing it as a more extreme practice than traditional hunting methods.

The rule follows an executive order signed by President Donald Trump early in his second administration. The order, titled Unleashing Alaska's Extraordinary Resource Potential, directed federal agencies to reissue the rule. This action is part of a series of recent moves by officials to permit contested hunting methods, including shooting bears from helicopters and using artificial lights to draw them from dens.

The history of bear baiting regulations in Alaska has been contentious. The Obama administration first imposed a ban, which was later reversed by the first Trump administration. Litigation upheld the initial ban. The Biden administration reinstated the prohibition in 2024, citing scientific evidence that baiting increases bear aggression and endangers park visitors. Arrivo questioned the legality of the new rule, noting that the 2024 rule underwent a more rigorous scientific process. He said the shift in power from the federal government to the state "is anathema to federal land management goals." No decision has yet been made on pending lawsuits regarding the new rule.

The rule takes effect in mid-November. About a dozen other states already allow similar baiting practices, though a larger number of states do not.