This debate is interesting to me because I used to be one of the guys who thought that hunting over bait was pathetic.

I shot anice buck this year hunting public land on a DIY huntin a state with VERY strict anti-baiting rules (even using a scent dripper is illegal in Montana).

I shot a smaller buck this year hunting my own private land in a state where baiting is so widespread you can buy "Deer Corn" at the gas station, supermarket, etc. and it is almost unheard of to not hunt over bait (Texas). I did use bait, you pretty much have to just to get the deer to come on your land if your neighbors all around you are running feeders. I also planted 16 acres of footplots and am doing several other things to improve the habitat.

I was happy with both deer that I shot and don't consider myself a better hunter shooting one verus the other. I do feel like shooting the deer on my own land using bait took more "work" than shooting the deer on public land.

That's my 2 cents.