Ban Bear Baiting in Wisconsin

In the 28 states that allow bear hunting, bear baiting is banned in 18 of them. Bear-hunters leave food out for a bear and shoot it when it comes to eat. But the bait intended for bear, also attracts wolves. Wisconsin is one of the states where it is legal to use hunting dogs, ("hounding") to attack bears, and also wolves.

Wisconsin offers an incentive for hunting wolves with hounddogs and  will compensate dog owners $2,500 per hunting dog killed by wolves, at the taxpayers expense. Compensation for wolf attacks on hounds costs the state more than it has spent for wolf attacks on any other category of domesticated animal, including calves, missing calves or cattle.

Hunters claim that the fundamental principle of hunting is "fair chase," but there is nothing fair about bear baiting. In fact, there is not even a chase. An animal is lured to an area and shot while eating. We ask Wisconson to ban this type of cruelty to the bear, the wolf and the dog, at the taxpayers expense for the benefit of special interest hunters and ranchers.

SOURCE: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/04/130417185533.htm

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Secretary Cathy Stepp
Central Office
101 S Webster Street
PO Box 7921
Madison WI
53707-7921
Phone: 608-266-2121
Email: DNRSecretary@Wisconsin.gov