Trump Administration Restores Rule Allowing Hunters to Use Donuts, Bacon to Lure Bears in Alaska

Soon hunters in Alaska will again be allowed to bait bears with strong-smelling treats like donuts, bacon grease, or meat scraps, according to a press release outlining the new rule issued by the U.S. Department of the Interior on Friday, October 16.

The New York Times reported that the reinstatement of the practice comes after it was banned by President Joe Biden’s administration in 2024. Clearly a political sticking point, it was first banned when President Barack Obama was in office in 2015 and then allowed again during President Donald Trump‘s first term in 2020.

“This final rule restores that commonsense framework and gives Alaskans a stronger voice in decisions affecting the lands, wildlife and traditions they know best, while ensuring the National Park Service continues to protect park resources for future generations,” said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum in the relase.

But opponents of the practice say it will lead to more tragic incidents between bears and humans as the animals learn to associate hikers and campers with tasty snacks.

“Baiting bears with piles of doughnuts, meat scraps and dog food to lure them into shooting range and gun them down is indefensible and inexcusable as a federal policy decision,” said Kitty Block, the president of Humane World for Animals, according to the Times. She also said her group was considering taking legal action to try to stop the change from coming into effect.