Another key advantage with baiting is it allows the hunter time to evaluate the animal, something that you would never have even if you actually managed to stalk a blackie in the thick forests and bogs up here. Is it a mature bear ? Is it a boar or a sow ? Are there any cubs ??? Especially for somebody new to bear hunting, these questions are not ones that can be answered by a quick glance. A bear pre-occupied with a bait stand gives that hunter the time to decide if he/she wants to take that animal and then also to wait for the optimum shot opportunity.
I agree that all animals deserve a fair chase hunt, but hesitate to put this in the same catagory. I mean, if that was the case then wouldn't hunting deer on a food plot or crop field be pretty much the same thing ? ... kinda splitting hairs then if you ask me.