Loanstarhunter, it is good to hear from someone who has experienced both sides of the baiting issue!
Most people that are totally against baiting, live and hunt in areas that have natural bait, and they have no idea of what East Tex hunting is!
Where I hunt, there are no " crops" for miles in any direction!
For me the idea of baiting, is to stop deer in my shooting lanes, not to " lure" them in!
When I hear people talk of " attracting" or " luring" deer in, or " bait piles," I know that they don' t even know what they are talking about!
Because #1. you can' t " lure" East Tex deer very far! You can' t put up a feeder just anywhere and expect to see the deer come running to it! Unless they would be starving to death, ET deer will not change their movements to come to feed!
#2. Deer do not like bait " piles!" Pile up some corn and it will sour! About all you will see are a few hogs. So bait " piles" spook deer, not attract them!
All this said, if baiting is legal in your area, you have a choice, if it is illegal you don' t!