Rep. Thanedar Introduces Legislation to Ban Bear Baiting on Federal Lands
WASHINGTON (July 16, 2025) — Congressman Shri Thanedar (D-MI) has introduced the ‘Don’t Feed the Bears Act of 2025’ (H.R. 4422), a bill aimed at prohibiting the intentional feeding of bears on federal public lands to end the controversial hunting practice known as bear baiting.
The legislation directs federal land management agencies, including the National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to adopt and enforce regulations that prohibit individuals from placing food to attract bears for hunting purposes. It also calls for the consistent enforcement of existing rules that discourage or prohibit the feeding of wildlife.
“The practice of bear baiting creates danger for both people and animals, contradicting what federal agencies tell the public: do not feed bears,” said Rep. Thanedar. “This bill is about strengthening public safety, animal welfare, and responsible wildlife management.”
Bear baiting involves placing large quantities of human food, such as pastries, meat scraps, and grease, on the forest floor to attract bears. This practice can cause bears to lose their natural fear of humans, increasing the likelihood of bear-human conflicts and leading to unnecessary killing of bears labeled as ‘nuisance animals.’
The bill has garnered support from over 70 national and regional organizations, including Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy, which have endorsed the legislation. Wayne Pacelle, president of these organizations, praised Rep. Thanedar for introducing the reform, stating, “Placing garbage piles in our national forests to ambush bears is not hunting. It’s an unsporting and reckless practice that puts wildlife and people at risk.”
Michigan is one of the few states that still allows bear baiting, a practice increasingly scrutinized for its effects on wildlife behavior and public safety. The introduction of this bill marks a significant step toward ending bear baiting on federal lands and promoting ethical wildlife management practices.
For more information on the *Don’t Feed the Bears Act of 2025*, visit [thanedar.house.gov](https://thanedar.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-shri-thanedar-introduces-the-dont-feed-the-bears-act).
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