Bears Will Be Lured by Doughnuts and Bacon on Federal Lands

Doughnuts, bacon, and meat scraps will soon be legal bait for hunting bears on federal land in Alaska. The US Department of the Interior published the final rule in the federal register on Friday. It takes effect in mid-November 2026.

The rule replaces a 2024 regulation from the Biden administration that prohibited the practice. Hunters use bait to lure trophy animals to a specific location. They then shoot the bears at close range from a blind.

Nicholas Arrivo, a managing attorney at Animal Protection Law, explained that hunters generally select food that is high in fat and sugar. He stated that this is usually the cheapest and most effective option. The bait is typically placed in a steel drum or garbage can while hunters keep watch.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said the rule responds to requests from Alaska residents. In a press release, he called the measure a commonsense framework. He argued it gives Alaskans a stronger voice in decisions affecting their lands, wildlife, and traditions.

Critics dispute that approach. Drew Robertson, a senior regulatory specialist for Humane World for Animals, described the provision as cruel and dangerous. He warned that it poses risks to both wildlife and the public. Environmental groups have labeled the new measure indefensible and inexcusable.

Robertson noted that baiting is a more extreme practice than many traditional hunting methods. He said many hunters would not view it as a fair chase. Arrivo argued that the federal land program places decision-making power with the federal government, not the state. He said deferring to state regulations is contrary to federal land management goals.

The change follows an executive order signed by President Donald Trump early in his second administration. The order, titled Unleashing Alaska's Extraordinary Resource Potential, directed the rule to be reissued. Robertson suggested this points to a political motive rather than careful consideration.

The history of this rule has been litigious. The Obama administration imposed the first ban. The first Trump administration reversed it. Courts upheld the Obama rule and overturned the Trump rule. The Biden administration reinstated the ban in 2024 based on scientific findings that baiting makes bears more aggressive. Arrivo questioned the legality of the new rule, noting that the previous version went through a more robust scientific process.