Using salt on public land

[Wumbo]

Recently I was watching a video of a hunter in my state dumping bags of salt in front of his game cams on public land. While baiting isn't legal, I did find an exception in the regulation booklet for using salt. I was curious how prevalent this practice is? What is your experience in your states?

 

[BBob]

Super prevalent. Happens everywhere in AZ and NM that I run around. That monster elk that such a fuss was made over? Watch some of the video and tell me what that bull was doing over and over on the game cam.

 

[Opah]

Not in California If salt blocks are put out for Cattle kiss your hunt good bye, The area is considered Baited.

 

[TheGDog]

Our experience in CA? Our experience is damn you for killing animals and curse you for thinking of doing anything that would make that pursuit any easier. And if you did... we have the right to take car...weapon... jail you... then fine you huge sums of money... Even though the elites do all those same things upon their own private property... you know... because they have Horses. that it should happen to attract the deer is something poor little them can't help! Pfft. And I'm sure this matter could be settle with you coming and spending a few days out on the Ranch here... oh dedicated Ranger District Boss person!

 

[Rich M]

Salt is considered baiting on public land where I hunt. Not allowed.

 

[Wumbo]

Not in California If salt blocks are put out for Cattle kiss your hunt good bye, The area is considered Baited.

I think they account for ranchers using salt for their livestock in our regs. Seems pretty unfair for you folks in CA. Do ranchers abuse that to keep people from hunting areas?

 

[Bubblehide]

I think they account for ranchers using salt for their livestock in our regs. Seems pretty unfair for you folks in CA. Do ranchers abuse that to keep people from hunting areas?

If it is used in a bonafide agricultural operation it is legal to hunt in Ca

 

[Hyphen]

Anyone know the rules in CO? I’ll look but if they’re not obvious would like to hear from those with experience.

 

[BBob]

Anyone know the rules in CO? I’ll look but if they’re not obvious would like to hear from those with experience.

CPW says: BAITING. It is against the law to hunt big game over bait, whether or not the person hunting personally placed the bait. Bait means to put, expose, distribute or scatter salt, minerals, grain, animal parts or other food as an attraction for big game. Salt or mineral blocks used for normal agricultural purposes are not considered bait. Scent sticks that smell like food are illegal for bears.

 

[Wumbo]

Are these restrictions usually for fair chase reasons? I'm torn on this because, I dont want to be construed as taking an unfair advantage but I want to use any means necessary to ethically harvest meat.

 

[Wumbo]

If it is used in a bonafide agricultural operation it is legal to hunt in Ca

Such as in the above example where a rancher put them out for cattle?

 

[BBob]

Are these restrictions usually for fair chase reasons? I'm torn on this because, I dont want to be construed as taking an unfair advantage but I want to use any means necessary to ethically harvest meat.

Of course it's for fair chase reasons. AZGFD would have liked to and wanted to ban salt but I think they decided it to be too hard to carve out an exemption for ranching (salt's been used here since the dawn of time) and too hard to enforce a hunter ban on salt so they let it go. It's propagated immensely since that decision.

If it's legal it's then up to you and your personal ethics and principles to decide what to do.

 

[cacklercrazy]

Our experience in CA? Our experience is damn you for killing animals and curse you for thinking of doing anything that would make that pursuit any easier. And if you did... we have the right to take car...weapon... jail you... then fine you huge sums of money... Even though the elites do all those same things upon their own private property... you know... because they have Horses. that it should happen to attract the deer is something poor little them can't help! Pfft. And I'm sure this matter could be settle with you coming and spending a few days out on the Ranch here... oh dedicated Ranger District Boss person!

Take coarse salt or rock salt put on snow before it melts. It will melt into the ground. You will have a lick for a good while.

 

[cacklercrazy]

Take coarse salt or rock salt put on snow before it melts. It will melt into the ground. You will have a lick for a good while.

Also dig a shallow hole and put it in.

 

[Hyphen]

CPW says: BAITING. It is against the law to hunt big game over bait, whether or not the person hunting personally placed the bait. Bait means to put, expose, distribute or scatter salt, minerals, grain, animal parts or other food as an attraction for big game. Salt or mineral blocks used for normal agricultural purposes are not considered bait. Scent sticks that smell like food are illegal for bears.

Thanks. Unless of course it’s a gut pile from a legal take.

 

[William Sublette]

Super prevalent. Happens everywhere in AZ and NM that I run around. That monster elk that such a fuss was made over? Watch some of the video and tell me what that bull was doing over and over on the game cam.

Just licking the dirt........over, and over, and over....perfectly framed, and composed on a trail cam.

 

[DenverCountryBoy]

Seems like a good way to spread CWD.

 

[MTPipeliner]

Do any of you see elk and deer using salt blocks that are put out for cattle very often? I’ve hunted around cattle a bunch and don’t ever recall seeing elk and deer using the salt blocks that ranchers have put out.

 

[CorbLand]

Very common here in Utah and I use the shit out of it.

 

[sndmn11]

Thanks. Unless of course it’s a gut pile from a legal take.

Pertaining to Colorado your gut pile can be a legal take, or an illegal take, as long as anyone did not "put, expose, distribute or scatter...animal parts...as an attraction for big game. "

In other words, don't manipulate the carcass from how it naturally lied after death/processing for the purpose of bringing in animals. If you know where Mr. Doe poached an elk and only took the head, you can go sit it for a bear. If he moved the carcass into the trees with the intent to hide it from discovery by law enforcement, you are probably still in the clear since it was moved for a reason other than attracting game. If your brother legally shot a different elk and left only a rib cage and guts, and you chose to move it 10 yards closer to your blind, you are baiting.