Bears and deer are 2 different animals all together.. Most states allow food plots for whitetails as well. Food plots is actually a form of baiting.. While bear baiting is different it is also the only effective way of controlling bear populations. Unlike a lot of states Maine is heavily forested with very thick undergrowth that bears enjoy. Even with baiting our bear numbers continue to increase. Baiting has proved to be effective in selecting of bears which allow sows with cubs to survive so they can continue to bring the cubs up. It allows a better ethical shot placement as well meaning a quick kill. Unlike a chance meeting with bears offering a rapid fire shot without knowing whether there is cubs nearby or a wounded bear that will end up dying sometime down the road..It is also not just baiting that is under attack it is hunting with hounds and trapping of bears as well.