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Other Legislation:
Hunting Deer Over Bait

Our Position: oppose
Bill Number: HB1285
Sponsor: Rep. Jay Roberts
Legislative Session: 2006

This bill would allow shooting deer over bait in the Southern part of Georgia. Studies done by other states that allow shooting over bait have shown that there are many negative consequences associated with this practice. The practice of baiting has been shown to increase deer reproduction and spread diseases, such as tuberculosis and chronic wasting disease, among herds. Some proponents think that shooting over bait will reduce the deer population, but just the opposite is true.

Status

Failed

Action Needed

Contact your representative and the members of the House Game, Fish and Parks Committee and ask them to oppose this bill.

Background

Last year similar legislation was introduced but never made it out of committee, thanks to action by the Camo Coalition.

Baiting is defined as the placement of food, not grown on site, to attract, lure or entice deer to aid in harvesting. A hunter can be anywhere within site of the bait to shoot deer. Baiting is different from supplemental feeding, which is defined as the placement of food to increase the nutritional intake of deer. Current law allows a hunter to hunt within the vicinity of supplemental feed if the hunter is at least 200 years away from and not within sight of the feed. The Camo Coalition supports the current law which does not allow shooting over bait.  The Georgia Wildlife Federation opposes HB 1285.

 
     
     

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