Hunters Allowed to Lure Bears With Donuts in Alaska’s National Preserves Again
Hunters in Alaska will soon be allowed to use donuts and other food to attract bears before shooting them in national preserves. The National Park Service is removing a ban on bear baiting that was reinstated just two years ago.
The Department of the Interior announced the change on Friday, October 16, 2026, after finalizing new hunting regulations. The rule was published on October 19 and will take effect on November 18.
Alaska has 10 national preserves where sport hunting is permitted under state and federal regulations. The new rule doesn’t change the restrictions on sport hunting in national park areas, including the park portions of Denali and Katmai.
Animal welfare groups are already speaking out against the decision, arguing that feeding bears makes them more likely to approach people. The National Park Service says Alaska’s existing hunting regulations provide enough safeguards to allow the practice.
Donuts, Dog Food and Popcorn Are All on Alaska’s Bait List
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The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has some interesting suggestions for anyone setting up a bear bait station. Its hunter education website lists donuts, dog food, syrup, honey, molasses, old bread and popcorn as examples of food that can attract bears.
Alaska requires bait stations to be registered, and hunters must follow rules about how close they can place them to roads, trails and buildings. According to the state’s bear baiting requirements, stations generally must be at least a quarter-mile from public roads and trails and one mile from homes or developed campgrounds. Hunters must also complete a bear baiting class before registering a station.
Bear Baiting Rules Have Changed Several Times
The National Park Service first banned bear baiting in Alaska’s national preserves in 2015. That restriction was lifted in 2020 before another rule brought the ban back in 2024.
The latest Federal Register rule reverses the 2024 decision and removes additional restrictions on bait used by subsistence hunters. It also restores several hunting and public hearing procedures that were in place before 2015.
The National Park Service estimates that no more than 10 bears will be killed over bait annually across all the preserves. That estimate includes two black bears and up to eight brown bears.
Wildlife Advocates Raise Concerns About Visitor Safety
Humane World for Animals criticized the decision in an October 16 statement. The organization said using donuts, bacon grease and other food could teach bears to associate people with meals, putting hikers and campers at greater risk.
The group’s president and CEO, Kitty Block, said they were considering challenging the rule in federal court. The organization has been involved in earlier legal fights over bear baiting in Alaska.
The National Park Service itself previously published research warning that bears could become protective of bait stations and behave aggressively toward people nearby. In the new rule, however, the agency pointed to Alaska’s permit requirements and years of bear baiting experience as reasons for allowing it again.
The agency said it would continue watching for safety problems and could close specific areas to baiting if necessary.
