I agree with Tschammel on this. Up in the Northern states most winter feeding is detrimental to the herd and the land. In most cases if the deer need feeding up here then the land is not capable of suporting them and you are artificially supporting them above the carrying capacity. If this is done it must be done continuously because if it stops then a lot of deer will die. Baiting also tends to group deer together more and facilitates the spread of disease. In NY here it is illegal in any form. Down south where winter kill and carrying capacities are less or not an issue I see less harm done if done correctly.