I am not guna touch the feeder vs plot question but as for the baiting Q, here in WI we are fighting CWD. CWD can be easily transmitted through saliva transfers. So if you have a mineral lick or alot of deer coming to one feeder, the chance of CWD tranmitance is raised consiterably. All you need is one sick deer and soon half the areas herd is sick. Not good, not good at all.