I think uncle matt makes some very valid points on this subject. I hunt a very nice farm that at present has no food plots or crops that will hold deer on the property - resident deer so to speak. All our neighbors have beans, corn or both. Next year we have permission to plant a food plot of choice - Yippeee.

Anyway for now - we bait with corn and apples in various areas of farm to draw deer thru the farm. Key Points - Keep the bait away from stands - 75-100 yrds or More. Watch for prevailing winds, string it out over 20-30' path, spread it out.This keeps it dry and mould free in addtion to as UM stated the deer will graze the area alot longer.

Back on topic with the bait and bucks.
If you keep your bait away from stands - way away and DO NOT walk around or on top of bait after you put it out. Use binochs to check out the bait and whats going on. Stay away from it. Nice bucks will come in to bait IF you place it where they move and stay the hell away from it! If you put it out in large piles,close to stands FORGET IT everything will go nocturnal with exception of few fawns and dumb ass button bucks.

Now - we have one guy on our lease that puts his bags of corn out within 25yrds or less from stand and walks by it,around it every day - lookin at it,kickin it etc. etc. He rarely kills anything let alone a nice buck!

Good Luck