Some states including Idaho prohibit the use of "any part of any game animal, game bird, or game fish" for bait. What is the theory behind this restriction? Is it a belief, for example, that if deer scraps were allowed for bait that more deer would be killed as a result? Pardon the pun, but it to me sounds like over kill.

Some of it's for raptor protection, wanton waste and just to be a PITA.

My guess is--they don't want some clown taking these animals and fish--just for bait.
Tom

I always figured it was this. Doesn’t other me except when I have a bunch of deer or elk bones I wish I could use for draw stations.

I bought some feathers at a craft store last year for visual attractors and was all set to put them out until my buddy pointed out they were obviously goose feathers and I could have been ticketed for it. In general I think Idaho is pretty good with it's trapping laws, but I do think that one is pretty silly.

I also live here in Idaho and have always assumed that the rule was in place to prevent people from harvesting game animals purely for bait, like others said, but I could be wrong. I used to live in North Carolina before moving back, did a lot of hunting/fishing/trapping out there as well, and they have the same rule there, or something very similar. Depending on the state, it comes down to what animals are actually classified as a game animal (or a game fish) as opposed to just a wild animal that isn't classified specifically as a game animal. On the one hand, I think it's an unnecessary rule and would like to be able to use animal scraps as bait/attractants. On the other hand, I do feel as if Idaho has pretty good trapping regulations and we're definitely a pro-trapping state when it comes to Fish & Game, so if that's one of the few bothersome regulations I have to deal with - it could be a lot worse (like Washington).

Well said Ryan. The way it was explained to me a while back by some IDFG dept officials was the obvious wanton waste concerns as well as transport/moving of carcass pieces/parts that could risk spreading diseases, etc. Not sure either of those hold water now that we can use road killed deer for wolf bait.

There's plenty of other readily available baits so as not to make it a big deal in my opinion. Feathers don't hold up in snowfreezingrainslushbombcrud weather, sheeps wool is easy enough to come by, suckers, carp, etc. are plentiful, muskrat and beaver carcasses are legit, cow, pig, sheep butcher scraps and used fryer oil are free and if you're really hard up you can always go to the livestock sale...or even raise your own if you're so inclined. As mentioned above, road killed deer are legal for wolf bait and think the ITA is going to be making a push for a rule change to allow them to be used for other bait as well (don't quote me on that - there's nothing formal yet). We are quite fortunate to have a pro-trapping F&G Dept and Commish and in my experience they have been very responsive to proposed rule changes, so let's keep the push for that going. If you aren't an ITA member, join and be heard!

Does that law mean you can not buy bait from one of the reputable makers? Or does it mean that you can not harvest said animals and use their parts for bait? It seems that they could make it to say that you can not harvest for resale it that was the case.

I agree with Bogmaster on the reason. Tho I think you should be able to use all of the animal you harvest. Keep the bait covered to keep raptor, birds of prey, scavengers what ever is protected, from seeing it and getting in a trap.

if im reading this right road killed deer can be used for wolf bait but scraps from hunting cannot???

I don't know why you couldn't use deer bones or elk bones for a draw station. If you are not setting by it, would it be considered bait? What else would you do with the scraps after you butcher your animals?.?.?

We use to have the same law here in Michigan but was changed awhile back to where we can use game animals as long as their in season.Bow season here closes Jan.1st,coyote season with snares begins Jan.1st,so legally we can't use roadkill or winter killed deer.Rule should be changed,large baits are much more effective in winter than fall,I seriously don't think anybody is going to shoot one just for coyote bait.I don't think it would matter if they did,with the way crop damage permits are distributed,this year their distributing antleress permits plus we have roadkills and if its a severe winter there'll be winterkilled and coyote kills.I think its a waste of a resource that we can't use them.

Buck I agree, when my draw stations get going I have picked up road kill just to keep them going. The state no longer picks the road kill up so I am going to help and make use of the opportunity.

Idaho bait rules

"It is unlawful: to use any part of a domestic or wild origin game bird, big game, upland game, game fish, or protected nongame wildlife for bait in trapping furbearing animals, unprotected wildlife, or predatory wildlife."

"Bait is defined as any animal parts; except bleached bones or liquid scent is not considered bait."

Under Idaho rules cottontail rabbit (a game animal) parts cannot be used but jack rabbit (predatory wildlife) parts can be used provided they are not visible within 30 feet of a trap or snare. At dirt hole sets trapper must ensure that bait remains covered at all times to protect raptors and other meat-eating birds.

I agree that Idaho trapping rules are in general liberal and that Idaho fish and wildlife officers are fair and friendly.

that would make things a little tuff here.

What about the skinned carcasses of furbearers taken off your line for pelts?

As long as they aren't classified as a "game" animal by Idaho. I think the only one commonly trapped that might be classified as a game animal would be wolf. Not sure. but piles of skinned muskrats and beavers have accounted for a lot of coyotes on my line and they aren't listed as game.

Backroadsarcher; fyi... I believe that the current regulations in Mn. on road killed deer still are that the appropriate road authority, be it county or state are still required to pick them up for disposal. They are also still illegal to transport or possess without a permit from the conservation officer. I make use of them in winter as well but I am pretty confident of current regs.

I'm glad that Idaho finally got around to changing that law, allowing people to recover road killed deer (or any non-protected animal) without using an actual hunting tag. Additionally, as of July of this year, we are allowed to dispatch injured animals that have been in a vehicle collision. Not saying that people haven't been doing that when necessary in the past, but it's nice to be legally protected in doing so now. I'm glad it's on the books.

Like a warden is really gonna know. Lol