New Federal Rule Reinstates Bear Baiting Practices on Alaska Public Lands

Reversal of Federal Hunting Regulations

The U.S. Department of the Interior has finalized a new rule that permits the use of food-based bait to attract bears on federal lands in Alaska. Published in the Federal Register on Friday, the regulation allows hunters to use items such as doughnuts, bacon, and meat scraps to lure bears, a practice intended to facilitate kills at close range. This policy, which is scheduled to take effect in mid-November, reverses a 2024 ban established by the Biden administration.

State Control vs. Federal Management

The rule is a direct result of an executive order issued by President Donald Trump titled "Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential." Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated that the policy restores decision-making authority to Alaska residents, arguing it provides a "commonsense framework" for managing local wildlife and traditions. Conversely, legal experts and conservation groups argue that the change undermines the federal government’s mandate to preserve wildlife diversity on public lands. Nicholas Arrivo, a managing attorney at Animal Protection Law, noted that the decision effectively defers to state regulations that are significantly more permissive regarding baiting than federal standards.

Safety and Ethical Concerns

The practice of baiting has drawn sharp criticism from environmental advocates, who raise concerns regarding both ethics and public safety. Opponents contend that using high-fat and high-sugar food sources to lure bears can condition the animals to associate human food with human presence, potentially increasing aggressive behavior toward park visitors. Drew Robertson of Humane World for Animals described the practice as "cruel and dangerous," noting that many in the hunting community itself question whether baiting aligns with the principles of "fair chase."

Legal and Historical Context

The legality of bear baiting on Alaskan federal lands has been subject to a long-standing cycle of regulatory shifts. Following an initial ban during the Obama administration, the practice was reinstated under the first Trump administration, only to be challenged in court and subsequently overturned. The 2024 Biden-era prohibition was supported by scientific assessments regarding bear behavior and public safety risks. Critics are currently evaluating the new rule for potential legal vulnerabilities, suggesting that the removal of the 2024 framework—which was supported by a robust scientific review—may be legally contestable.

For more information regarding current federal land regulations, please visit the official Federal Register: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/oct/24/trump-administration-alaska-bear-hunting-bait.