by Matthew DuckworthThu, April 23, 2026 at 9:19 AM
Updated Thu, April 23, 2026 at 9:55 AM
Pennsylvania lawmakers could mull whether there are special circumstances that would warrant using bait while hunting in the future, according to a memo introduced to the House of Representatives. (FILE)
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- PA lawmaker to introduce bill allowing baiting while hunting in ‘special circumstances’
- Pennsylvania
- Baiting
- Hunting
- Deer
- Legislation
- Pennsylvania Game Commission
- Wildlife management
- Special circumstances
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHP) — Pennsylvania lawmakers could mull whether there are special circumstances that would warrant using bait while hunting in the future, according to a memo introduced to the House of Representatives.
Artificial baiting materials like salt, bait, food, or any other item that would enable Pennsylvania hunters to lure game are currently illegal under Title 34 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes.
In a legal memo, Rep. Thomas Mehaffie (R-106) concedes that open statewide deer baiting while hunting is impractical, but he maintains there are “special circumstances” under which the practice may be warranted.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission would have to approve any deer baiting exceptions based on remaining mindful of the impacts any exception may have on the health and management of the Commonwealth’s deer population.
Mehaffie plans to petition PGC officials to allow baiting on private property in areas designated by PGC, where bait could be used to attract deer. He argues that exceptions would apply only to specific removal purposes, like addressing disease transmission and habitat degradation through disabled hunting permits.
By approving these exceptions, Mehaffie asserts that allowing deer removal in this manner would help prevent property damage while helping maintain the state’s deer population.
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This bill has not been submitted for introduction yet.