c'mere deer is just minerals..if minerals are classified as bait in your area, then its bait..just like a salt lick...
could be the game warden was watchin yall, and saw yall discarding pecans and thought yall were just tryin to get one over on him and decided it was lesson time. some game wardens are sticklers, some not so much..maybe he got in a fight with his ol lady before he went to work.
it is what it is, an infraction, pay the fine, learn from your mistakes, thats what hunting is about.
as far as poaching goes..he would of been arrested, guns and cars seized....booked and finger printed..released on OR or bond, with a court date pending...it was an infraction, minor offense...certainly not poaching imo