a little off topic but this issue has been done to death.i think its just fustration from hunters that come from states that dont allow baiting or those who dont have the experience in the woods using bait and just dont have a clue. just get over it and stop bringing it up.it doesnt look good for the whole of hunting.i get your point but its silly to divide hunters over it. not using bait doesnt make you the harder better hunter .you will almost never kill a big trophy deer over bait.bait is a way to get deer to your area . hunting the trails coming into bait is where its at and is no different than hunting transition zones coming into an oak stand, corn field, or food plot. also i have never seen a deer use a mineral lick during my hunting season (september through jan.). by end of august they usually turn off. mineral licks help the general health of the herd. its also a fun way in the off months to get pictures with your trail camera without spooking them during the hunting season. minerals help with insect control, lactating doe-s and there antler developement.opening day of trout season in a stocked pond might be shooting fish in a barrel but baiting deer is far from that.