Trump Administration Proposes Bear Baiting Rule in Alaska Parks

0:00This is Cory, keeping Anchorage in the know. You're listening to Anchorage News today. The Trump Administration's Interior Department just proposed a rule to lift restrictions on bear baiting for sport hunters in Alaska's national. Preserves. These areas are part of the national park system, and the change would let state rules take over, allowing hunters to use food stations to attract, bears during certain seasons. This flips back policies from past years. The Obama Administration banned bear baiting and other practices back in 2015. The first Trump team rolled those back, but the Biden Administration reinstated the baiting ban last year, citing risks to part visitors and wildlife. State officials are cheering the move. Interior Secretary Doug Burgham says, it restores Alaska's management rights and honors a key conservation law from the 1980s. The Alaska Fish and Game Commissioner agrees, calling it a nod to local traditions and subsistence needs. Conservation groups are pushing back hard.

1:02They argue bear baiting harms natural bear behavior, create safety hazards for people in the parks, and treats policy like a political switch. Groups like the Alaska Wildlife Alliance say current rules already protect locals without opening preserves to more sport hunting. The proposal heads to the federal register soon for public comments, continuing a long debate that's even gone to court. Past rulings have blocked similar efforts, but for now, it's open for input before any final decision. Support for this D&N episode comes from our sponsor. Head in, sound on, lights out. That is the routine S-O-L-I-SoliPillow.com.