New U.S. Government Rule Will Allow Hunters to Lure Bears with Donuts and Shoot Them in Alaska’s National Parks

A recent decision by the Trump administration has reignited a long-standing controversy regarding bear hunting practices in Alaska. On October 16, 2023, the Department of the Interior announced a new rule that permits hunters to bait bears with strong-smelling food sources, such as bacon grease and donuts. This move has been met with sharp criticism from animal welfare organisations, who express concerns about the ethical implications and potential dangers associated with this hunting method.

The new regulation, described by the Interior Department as a framework for subsistence use and sport hunting within certain Alaskan national parks and preserves, was introduced as a response to local opinion. The department stated that the rule restores hunting practices that were reversed under the Biden administration in 2024. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum emphasised that the regulation reflects the desires of Alaskan residents and officials, as it enhances local decision-making regarding wildlife management.

While proponents argue that the rule empowers Alaskan communities, critics assert it may foster increased human-wildlife conflicts. Opponents, including numerous conservationists, fear that baiting bears could lead to dangerous encounters between bears and visitors to national parks. They contend that the practice not only jeopardises the bears’ wellbeing—potentially introducing them to unhealthy or harmful foods—but also desensitises them to human presence.

Kitty Block, president of Humane World for Animals, has been vocal in her condemnation of the practice. In light of the new regulations, Block announced that the organisation is exploring potential legal avenues to contest the rule, labelling the policy “indefensible” and a significant threat to both bear populations and public safety. She stressed that luring bears with such food not only endangers the bears themselves but also increases the likelihood of dangerous encounters for hikers and campers.

Scientific studies have supported the concerns raised by animal welfare advocates. A report released in 2024 by the National Park Service highlighted that bears defending baited sites pose a “moderate to high” risk of injury or death to unwary park visitors. This has prompted questions over why such findings have been overlooked in the decision-making process.

Sara Amundson, who heads the Humane World Action Fund, echoed Block’s sentiments, calling the practice unethical and contrary to the principles of responsible wildlife management. She articulated that by encouraging bears to associate food with human activity, the likelihood of unfortunate incidents escalates, contributing to both bear fatalities and increased human peril.

The new regulations also make minor amendments to existing restrictions on hunting, fishing, and trapping throughout Alaska’s vast national parks, covering approximately 54 million acres. The ongoing debate around bear baiting is not recent; it has been unfolding over the past decade. The Obama administration’s 2015 ban on this practice was eventually challenged and overturned by Alaskan state authorities and trophy hunting groups.

Bear hunting regulations vary significantly across the United States. While 33 states have designated hunting seasons for black bears, only 12 permit the use of human food as bait under specific conditions. Other states, such as New Hampshire and Michigan, have already prohibited the use of certain toxic foods, such as chocolate, for baiting bears—a move that highlights the growing concern over animal welfare during hunting practices.

The publication of the new rule is set for October 19, 2023, with an effective date scheduled for 30 days following its announcement. As the regulation evolves, the impact on bear populations and human safety will be scrutinised closely by both supporters and opponents. The contentious nature of this issue underscores a broader debate about wildlife management, local traditions, and the ethical responsibilities of hunters and policymakers alike.