One year I was baiting for my son. Our area was recently logged, so the deer were not staying around. The bait stayed untouched by deer for days on end, and I started seeing more grouse, squirrels, and other small animals hanging around. When my son hunted, he saw a coyote and a bobcat (twice) go by the bait, but no deer. Clearly the predators were taking advantage of the draw that the bait had on small animals. On another occasion my son saw a bear (and no deer). So I am thinking that bait, if not eaten by deer, can work against you.