What Oldtimr said. It spreads disease, especially CWD. The problem of a bait pile is that the deer all end up depositing saliva at the same spot.
Just recently I read something saying that it is possible to actually kill deer if you feed them in the winter because there used to eating the things they usually eating in the winter and they can't digest things like apples corn and carrots, then they sadly starve and die.
Like you, I have heard that feeding deer can cause problems along these lines.
Another thought to consider: Feed deer in your yard and they may discover the shrubbery, flower beds, garden, etc. that you and your neighbors have planted is absolutely delicious.