I have put out apples (about 8 works great--break them open, scrape a few on trees to get scent in the air) and had deer eating them within an hour A LOT OF TIMES, without putting some out in any days or weeks leading up to the hunt. In fact, just about two weeks ago, I had a doe and two fawns going through about 80 yards away. They smelled the apples and came right in. I wouldn't bait except when acorns aren't around, because all my neighbors bait and I have to compete in those situations to see deer.