Here's my last attempt at an explanation.
The law and regulation you cite prohibit certain actions. Nothing allows any actions. They are merely prohibitions.
The law prohibits A. The regulation prohibits A,B, and C. the law does not permit B and C, it only prohibits A.
There would be a conflict if the law specifically permitted B and C, but it doesn't. It only prohibits A. Since the regulation prohibits A (which is exactly that the law does) as well as prohibits B and C, there is not conflict.
Now, if a law prohibits X and a regulation required X, there is a conflict. If one law permits Y and another prohibits Y, there is a conflict. The example you cited has a law that prohibits A, and a regulation that prohibits A,B, and C. There is no conflict.
As to the argument that possession of a firearm constitutes hunting, I refer you to the following:
Last note:
Here, in the people's republik of Massachusetts, a turkey is defined a "big game" (so they can charge you for a big game permit when you go turkey hunting)
The fishing story is funny!
I think that I get what you are saying but I don't think that you get what I am saying. A regulation must be attached to a law. The Regulation must interpret and/or implement a law. A regulation must be reasonable. The regulation in question does not implement or interpret any law. I also do not think that it is reasonable that innocent people can be fined and lose hunting privileges for being within 300' of bait that they do not know is there.
Elected legislators make laws, agencies make regulations based on the laws. Agencies can not make laws only regulations based on the laws.
The law as written protects us from innocently walking within 300' of bait that we do not know is there. Anyone hunting from a treestand with bait would not be a problem with a reasonable game warden if I was hunting on the ground less than 300' of the baited tree stand or ground blind. (Structure) A warden would see the stand near the bait. Why would I bother to bait a tree stand and then hunt on the ground away from the bait? We can bait when deer hunting. We can be any distance from the bait. We can be on the ground, in a tree and in a structure. The bait is within eyesight. Buckshot can easily and ethically kill a deer at 50 yards.
My shotgun, choke and shells are an awesome combination! I am confident that I can ethically bag a turkey at 150'. Most are lucky to confidently shoot and ethically bag a turkey at 90' . Turkey hunters aim and shoot at the head. At 50 yards a turkey head is a very small target. It's small at 30 yards.
It seems to me that the Dept wants to do what they fine us for. They ignore the laws and regulations that they are required to follow to make a regulation. They do it the easy way! Legislation takes time. It's hard to bag a turkey. I personally do not think hunting turkeys close to bait is hunting it is shooting or killing. It's easy to bag a turkey close to bait just like it's easy to ignore laws to make regulations that do not comply with the laws that they must follow to make the regulations.
To make a regulation the Dept MUST do scientific studies and research it's required by law. These are all regulations.
No more than 5 Turkey hunters can hunt together.
A turkey hunter must possess a turkey call.
A turkey hunter is allowed to shoot coyote but can not possess a coyote call.
A turkey hunter does not have to wear hunter orange. (A definite violation of the law)
We can not use an electronic calling device.
We can not stalk a turkey
We can not chase turkeys in the direction of a hunter
The use of dogs is prohibited during the spring season and allowed in the fall season
Do you think they did scientific studies and research to make these regulations? Not to mention practically none of the above is in a Statute. How do you do a scientific study and research and determine that it is ok for 5 hunters to hunt together but no more? ECT, ect, ect.