Urge Congress to Ban Killing Bears Over Bait on Federal Land

Thousands of bears are killed every year on federal public lands using a controversial and unethical practice: baiting. This method involves placing giant piles of human food waste, such as grease, meat scraps, and sugary donuts or other pastries, to lure bears into shooting range. Once the bear is focused on the bait, it can be shot at close range, often with its back turned.

That is definitely not fair or sporting, yet it remains legal in some states.

This practice raises serious concerns — not just about animal welfare and fair chase principles, but about public safety and ecological balance. That’s why Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-MI) has introduced the “Don’t Feed the Bears Act” (H.R. 4422). This bill would prohibit bear baiting on national forests and other public lands managed by federal agencies.

Baiting bears with human-sourced food conditions them to associate people with food. This increases the likelihood of dangerous human-wildlife encounters near campsites, trails, and residential areas. The phrase, “A fed bear is a dead bear” is tragically true–yet this method of killing bears explicitly encourages it.

The practice of bear baiting also artificially alters bear behavior and population dynamics, making it more difficult for wildlife managers to maintain healthy, balanced ecosystems.

According to Rep. Thanedar, Michigan is one of the states that allow this practice, along with 11 other states. In at least eight of those states, it is permitted on federal lands. This bill would change that.

This legislation does not ban bear hunting altogether. Instead, it aligns public land management with widely accepted hunting ethics, which emphasize respect for wildlife and the principles of fair chase. The bill builds on a 2024 National Park Service rule that banned bear baiting on 20 million acres of preserves in Alaska: a rule designed to protect both wildlife and visitors.

Sign the petition today to urge Congress to pass H.R. 4422–the “Don’t Feed the Bears Act”--and help protect people, bears, and the integrity of our public lands.

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Source https://thanedar.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-shri-thanedar-introduces-the-dont-feed-the-bears-act