Pennsylvania Game News - September 2019 - 11

field corn. They are available in most
places hunting supplies are sold, despite
the trouble they could bring to the purchaser and deer.
It's not illegal for businesses to sell
products designed to attract wildlife. It
becomes a legal concern only when it is
placed on the landscape for the purpose
of luring game for hunting.
Still, if businesses and sporting goods
stores would assess the potential aftermath
of selling these products, they might stop,
because America's hunting industry is
built on the whitetail's wellbeing. Selling
products that congregate whitetails in a
state with CWD issues in akin to begging
for trouble.
And remember, if deer health problems
multiply, that condition could trickle
down to fewer hunting licenses sold and
fewer hunters buying hunting products.
Our hunting industry is only as strong as
the herd that built it.
It's fair to say the baiting craze has
become too big of a business at a critically inopportune time in the history of
Pennsylvania deer management. And if
wildlife management's past has taught
us anything, it is that the conservation of
any species cannot sustain itself without
complete cooperation.
First and foremost, unpermitted baiting is an insult to everyone who hunts
ethically. And since we all know the difference between right and wrong, it stands
to reason that fixing our baiting problem
is possible, because it seems reasonable
to conclude more hunters oppose baiting
than support it.
Hunters and landowners can make a
difference by reporting all baiting they
encounter, speaking to legislators about
making baiting a greater criminal offense,
and asking stores that sell hunting supplies
to stop carrying baits, minerals and other
SEPTEMBER 2019

attractants that can't be used lawfully by
Pennsylvania hunters.
Papinchak also pointed out it's important that hunters know the agency wants
to enforce baiting laws.
"Our efforts to enforce the law show
ethical hunters we support them," Papinchak noted. "They feel cheated by those
who bait."
Sometimes it's surprising from where
tips come. Fetchkan said he usually gets
tips from hunters.
"However, in a lot of cases, hunters
who report had a falling out with landowners who bait, because they're upset they
can't hunt there anymore," Fetchkan said.
"Even some known game-law offenders
report someone else baiting, often because
the baiter shot the big buck they wanted!"
Susquehanna County Game Wardens
Rebuck and Mike Webb reported that
most of their baiting referrals come from
infighting neighbors, disgruntled friends
and routinely unsuccessful hunters.
Baiting is a problem that spills into
other hunting pursuits. In Chester County,
Game Warden Matthew Johnson said
Canada goose hunters are more commonly using bait.
Land Management Group Supervisor
Rich Briggs, headquartered in Columbia
County, said he believes the baiting ratio
is higher with bear hunters.

REPORT BAITING
If you encounter a baited site or suspect
that baiting is occurring, the Pennsylvania
Game Commission wants to know.
Contact your Game Commission region
office to make a report, or report online or
by phone to Operation Game Thief.
Operation Game Thief can be accessed
at www.pgc.pa.gov by clicking on "Report a
Violation." Or call 1-888-PGC-8001.
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http://www.pgc.pa.gov
Pennsylvania Game News - September 2019

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