In michigan we can bait, I really don't see the difference between what you are talking about and dumping corn on the ground on a regular basis. Sometimes I think everything but the deer are eating at my bait pile. We bait year round though every couple of days. And it's not a huge amount either, less than what we can use by law.

Pretty much anything other than hiding behind a tree and waiting for a deer to walk by would be considered baiting.

Calls, decoys, scents (basically all bait is), and food would all be considered baiting in my book. You are using a device or chemical attractent to get a deer to go where you want it and put it in a position that makes it easier for you to shoot it.

And if we are not tricking them by some means, we are still hiding in a tree waiting to ambush them. Hardly seems fair does it. However I don't have any moral problems doing it to be honest.

It really boils down to how you personally feel and want to hunt. If your not comfortable using bait or hunting over food then don't do it. If you want more of a challenge, stalk them thru a corn field or something. It really depends on your degree of skill and how much enjoyment you get out of it. If baiting feels like cheating to you, then by all means don't do it. Just try not to put down others that use every legal means there is to harvest a deer. Some really need the help. And I am not saying you are, so don't take that comment personally.

That's my opinion any way.

Good luck,
Paul