Why bait?
 

Why bait? What is it about baiting that makes people think they're hunting? No offense to anyone who feels strongly about baiting, but can you tell mewhy it's ok to bait, and why youstill classify yourself as a hunter? Anyone can pick up a bow/gun and shoot at something over bait. But not everyone can pattern the deer, set-up on them for a good shot oppurtunity in their natural environment, with natural food sources.

It's illegal to bait here in IN, and should be thatway for every state. Maybe certain laws like this is why PETA is trying to ban hunting, bcsomehunters aren't hunting.

Again no disrespect, but I just want to hear why people do it, and why some hunters don't have a problem with it. Please let meknow.

RE: Why bait?
 

I also think it is not right to hunt over bait. Hunting over bait is not hunting to me.It takes no skill to lure in a deer while hunting over bait. I like the challenge of trying to get a mature deer into bow range. Using bait is like cheating to me. Using bait is illegal where I hunt, but I still would not use it to hunt over. So StealthHtr22 I agree with you on this one. It should be banned.

RE: Why bait?
 

I do not hunt over bait, I don't think it is sporting. That being said, I have no problem with baiting, but I dothink it is more "shooting" than "hunting".

RE: Why bait?
 

(Sits back and grabs a cup of coffee)
Get the fire hoses boys, here come a flame war. Unless, of course, the moderators lock this thread first.[&:]

RE: Why bait?
 

Next time do a search on a subject before you bring it up. Talk about beating a dead horse.

RE: Why bait?
 

I like to bait so in case I get hungry, there is always something there to eat!

RE: Why bait?
 

Again, not trying to make anyone mad, I gave my opinion and just looking for others'?

RE: Why bait?
 

Do you use scents? Do you use calls? There's not much difference in in scents or calls from baiting IMO. Since I call and use some scents, I don't think I'm any diffrennt than someone who can legally bait deer.

RE: Why bait?
 

Do you hunt over a corn or bean field? The farms I hunt on grow cattle not veggies. I have 2 feeders on the property. I do not hunt over them I use them to attract deer and keep them on the property. The bait I put out is a managment tool much like a food plot would be. I have killed 2 deer and one hogso far this season. All of them were killed in a patch of oaks while feeding on acorns. I was 1/4 mile away from the closest feeder. Since the acorns were scattered all over the ground and I found them and the evidence that deer were feeding there, and I set up there and ambushed the deer was that not bait? Is a corn field a natural food source? Or a soybean field, or an apple orchard? Or any farm for that matter? Is Tinks 69 bait? What about Trails end?

RE: Why bait?
 

You stole some of my thunder, but if someone places a small amount of bait, say a gallon or so of corn, on a trail, all you're really trying to do is stop the deer, the same thing others try to do with grunts, call, etc.

RE: Why bait?
 

I always get amused at these types of topics. If you choose not to bait and it's illegal where you hunt why do you care how others hunt?

I also find it funny how some people frown upon baiting, but will plant an acre or half acre food plot and hang a stand over it.[&:] Do you think there is a difference in using a corn feeder vs a food plot?

RE: Why bait?
 

What kind of bow do you use?

RE: Why bait?
 

I don't know how you are NOT going to make people mad by saying things like;

First of all I do not bait, it's illegal in my state and I wouldn't do it even if it was. Secondly who are you to decide what the definition of hunting is? The reason I ask this is because of your quote above. You've assumed that because people are baiting, then they have to justify why they do it. Why? What makes you think that by using camo or a gun that YOU are hunting? It's a relative, if it's legal and you are comfortable with it, then do it - if not, don't. But don't question any elses tactics if they aren't doing anything illegal.

RE: Why bait?
 

I think there should be a classified difference between hunting OVER a bait pile, and hunting WITH a bait pile.

I personally would not choose to hunt over one, it would just take the thrill of the chase out for me, but if it is legal, than it is a non-issue for someone else who does. Animals were put on this earth for us to eat, so if we live trap them, "trick" them, whatever, at least it's dinnertime.

What is the difference between baiting a deer and baiting a fish hook? Wouldn't it be the same concept? If you are against baiting a deer, shouldn't you be against throwing a baited hook into the water? Shouldn't you just set the hook out and hope a fish ended up on the other end of it? Just a question, but I just wondered if there is really much difference in that? How about dove hunting. Most dove hunters I know (including myself) sit in the midst of dried up sunflower rows, perhaps they should just sit in the middle of the road.

Everyone is entitled to their own means of legal hunting, you will never find someone who agrees with 100% of what you agree with. As we all become veterens of outdoor sporting, we all learn what works for us.

Like someone already posted, perhaps they have a feeder set up on one side of the woods, 300 yards away from their stand, simply to keep the deer in the area. Here in Indiana, we rarely have to worry about it because we almost always have beans or corn within eyeshot of any wooded area! LOL

It's a personal preference thing, I wouldn't hunt over a bait pile, but I don't know the circumstances regarding another hunter, so I really have no right to judge what works for him... perhaps he works 3 jobs and can only hunt once or twice a year, it happens. It sure would make life a lot easier for him if he could fill the freezer on one of those occassions.

RE: Why bait?
 

I don't think it is your opinion that people will have a problem with. It may be the way you presented yourself in the post. You say you don't mean any disrespect but you have me fooled.

I do not bait but I would never judge someone who did. It is there style of hunting ( yes I said hunting) that they chose. I have planted corn and soy beans in my fields. Does that make me a poor hunter because I hunt these areas? Some hunters also don't have the time that others do. If they are only able to hunt weekends or a couple of days a month it may allow them a better chance. I am sure they have there reason. Try not to look down on others. It may not be long before someone offends you about taking a pic of a deer on the back of a trailer. Some would say it is disrespectful. But I am sure you have your reason.

RE: Why bait?
 

This does not equal

Never baited and never will but don't even try and say you didn't mean to stir up a hornets nest.

We still live in a Democracy that is strong on states rights.Your ignorant about PETA and what they think about any type of hunting. They don't even want us to own pets.

RE: Why bait?
 

During the early season I will set up a couple home made feeders in the middle of a couple of fields and I have a game cam on them. I do it just to see what is in the area so I can make a better choice on the buck I choose to harvest. I have never hunted over bait in the woods but if I was hunting some where I couldn't get close and kept seeing deer and they changed their path alot I would put something down to help me get a shot. I see no problem with it. Guys who can get close every time without a little help from baits calls scents ect... good for you but if a hunter needs a little help why not?

RE: Why bait?
 

I bait and im not affraid to say it either! If you were smart you woulda just went and looked it up instead of bring a different thread up. And baiting is almost the same thing as hunting over a food plot. If you say more deer come to the bait thats wrong. More deer come to the fields most of the time. I hunted over bait ever since i started hunting and its just as hard as hunting over a field if not harder. When you hunt over a field all you have to do is find a runway and put a stand up. When you bait you cant just throw a stand up and just sit you have to find where the deer are. Just my 2 cents. But next time think before you post!

RE: Why bait?
 

Bait works! Would you stick your hook in the water with out a worm? I dont think so. Baiting/feeding not only gives the deer a better survival rate but is one of the best management tools there is when it comes todeer hunting. Do you hunt over a food plot or a10 acre cornfield. That as well is concideredbaiting. IDont place out much bait at all I hunt over the corn fields. Theres no difference in the two. This thread has been beaten over and over seems year after year and all it does is heat things up. I bait, just because the next guy doesnt or is against it, hey thats his decision. If its legal who really cares? Everyone hunts they he or she wants to do so.

RE: Why bait?
 

Why bait? Why not, if you can and you plan on eating the deer you shoot? Farmers put cattle on corn a few months before the slaughter house to fatten up and sweeten the meat. You wouldn't like eating a cow thats only been grazing in the field.

If and when I bait, I hunt right on top of the pile. I'm doing it to kill deer for processing for my own. I kill deer in the woods only to kill deer. I give pretty much all away unless it's a bambi. Those I may keep as my own but haven't in years.

This all may sound harsh, but in my eyes deer are big rats. They eat all my landscaping, carry a bunch of diseases and/or parasitesand are a threat to humans with the population out of control. For those who think PETA can make hunting illeagal, PETA just got rocked today. Experts believe the E-coli out break in spinach was cause by wild hogs. Looks like someone needs to hunt them more in Ca.;)

RE: Why bait?
 

My Grampa baits to this day, I carry the bait out for him.

For those who say "You're not a real hunter or man if you bait", well when you go see the Movie Flags of our Fathers remember this,he was there.

Anybody else who does not bait have that on their resume? He lied about his age, he was still a kid, 17.
He enjoys watching those deer come into hissetup. These days he just likes to watch them.

RE: Why bait?
 

Since you're from Indiana and don't bait have you ever tried to shoot a mature buck over bait?? Ain't gonna happen very often. I have 2 baited stands I almost never use. I use those locations for my trail cameras to get pictures of deer to judge size. I rarely sit in them as I know big bucks don't come to bait in the daylight.

As stated above baiting is an excellent management tool. Does come to bait readily and that makes for a more ethical standing shot. It's a more effective means to control an out of control population.

I personally will take much more pride in a big buck that I take without bait (feed) than one over bait. Callingand scents aren't baitingIMO.Those are natural in the deer world. A corn pile in the middle of the woods isnot.

RE: Why bait?
 

I would say that 90 to 95% of the people who hunt and bait deer, fish also. How do you catch fish? If you don't have a problem using bait for fishing then why would you have a problem baiting a deer?

RE: Why bait?
 

Bingo! Welcome to the board.

RE: Why bait?
 

corn piles in open country is nothing. especially since big bucks dont use corn piles, aleast ive never seen one at mine. i always see them farther in the woods. like said above, cor piles are better used for taking does and controling the population.

RE: Why bait?
 

You know what....everybody has made some great points.And I had voiced my opinion to start off with. I feel like the points made taught me a lot. Yes I do use scents andyes I do hunt corn fields/oak trees.

So if you wanna classify me as a baiter go ahead. I can tell you what though, after hearing everyone's opinion, which is what I wanted, Irealizednow that itisn'twhat I thought. All it takes isfor a little explanation.No excuse for what I had said before, bc that's how I felt, butI think my opinion haschanged. Sorry if I said that wasn't hunting. I feel like a big dumba** right about now.

RE: Why bait?
 

I will add one more thought to the baiting issue. I have young children. I would like to see some of the people who are so judgemental towards baiting take their child into the middle of the woods and wait for the deer to just happen to come by. I have three feeders on my lease, and the two other hunters on my lease have a couple of feeders each. We don't hunt those feeders ourselves, but we love taking our children hunting and teaching them about the outdoors. A child cannot sit there all day. A child cannot be quiet all day. A child cannot be still all day. They need some help. I will take my kids to a tower stand, with a feeder about 150 yards away, and let them have a chance to shoot a deer. Right now it is perfectly acceptable,and when they get older they can be taught how to pattern and set up on a deer. But I wanted to start them out at a young age, so they might learn to love the land and all God's creatures, like I do. Now if you still have a problem with people who "bait", so be it........ But please understand one thing, YOU are the one with the problem, not me.

God Bless

RE: Why bait?
 

Well said MichaelT.

RE: Why bait?
 

i bait do you know how many 8 point or better i have killed 1 not to say i havent seen more but you try to go deep in my woods you wont come back unscathed and will be picking out briars all day long but i also hunt acorn ridges rub lines and scrape lines use calls not really a big fan of scents though

RE: Why bait?
 

I do not bait. Too much hassel. I could never figure out a reason to throw out a corn pile between the two big corn fields wheremy stand is.

RE: Why bait?
 

Generally, I've noticed that the people who oppose baiting the most are the ones who live in states where it is illegal. Then they like to call the others unethical.

RE: Why bait?
 

The main reason we bait is keep deer on the property. We hunt near the bait but not over it. We focused on it earlier in the year and we have more deer on the property than last year.The neighbors must be missing some:D

RE: Why bait?
 

Early season it works well to fill those doe tags. Later on when the rut is going, the feeders help keep does around the area, and I guess you might say the does are the best bait around for rutting bucks.

RE: Why bait?
 

I'm not reading all the replies to this thread. Let me tell you why NOT to BAIT. It simply works against you in the long run. When deer find a bait they certainly will hit it. BUT, that makes them learn they don't have to get up and wander and feedand cover ground to find food. They quickly learn they can wait until the last call and gallop up to the buffet. What you in effect do with bait is throw der off their natural patterns of browsing and wandering during daylight hours to fill their need for food. Once a deer is killed or they smell you there they become real spooky around the bait. They'll wait until dark and gallop in to feast on the pile of goodies and you can do nothing. I hate baiting in the woods I hunt.

RE: Why bait?
 

That hasn't been my experience.

RE: Why bait?
 

geee whiz davidmil,

I have never thought about it like that. You see, For the 16+ years me and my extended family have feed the deer on our leases , so the children can hunt, we always assumed the deer we were seeing during the daylight hours were real, not imaginary.

What you fail to see or understand, is that the deer are in competition for the food. You have a feeder that only puts out so much food per cycle, and lets say there are 10 deer wanting to eat that food. Welleachdeer knows there are other deer wanting to eat that food, so they actually race there to get it first. I have had deer standing under the feeders waiting for it to spit the corn out so they can eat before the other deer get there. I have also had deer waiting in the edge of the woods , waiting to hear the spin plate throwing corn, only to step out as soon as it stops. In fact I have pictures right now of deer stepping into the camera frame at 7:02 am, and the feeder activated at 7:00 a.m.

The deer learn to associate the sound of the feeder, with food on the ground, and they bust butt to get there before it is all gone.

So you don't like baiting, Fine. Don't bait. But please, don't try to tell me how things work when feeding deer. I think I have this one covered. Plus, you dont like it, and you dont do it, so how could you possibly have any idea of what you are trying to talk about. Your statements are laughable. So please go try to impress someone else, who might not know for certain that you are full of crap.

In the mean time, I think I'll go fill up my feeders this morning. I need to make sure the deer are around when my kids gethere to HUNT.

Unfortunately, these days, I am no longer amazed bythe people who find it so easy to be judgemental towards other people or ideas, and who have almost nothing to say if not for negative comments. How can such people ever find the peace we hunters speak of, while sitting in the middle of God's creation. All of life is not meant to be a battle, and everyone else can't always be wrong.

God Bless

RE: Why bait?
 

I disagree with you 100% on your remark about mature bucks not comming in to bait piles during daylight hours, heres one one of the mature bucks I took in 2002 over a bait pile during rifle season. Our neighbor that year had apples out and shot one that makes mine look a dwarf. His was a 14 pointer. his scored 172, mine scored 128, I dont care what anyone says about mature bucks not comming into bait piles during daylight hours.

RE: Why bait?
 

I am not a baiter,it is not legal in my state.In our area we have folks who like to see deer and bear and they purposely feed them.For the most part these folks are not hunters just people who want to see wildlife who they are contributing to taking their natural defenses away.I am not anti baiting,I don't choose to do it because for my own personal set of beliefs it wouldn't be as rewarding to take an animal coming to bait.Having said that I do use and have killed many deer coming in to lures and to calling.
We have so few whopper bucks in my home area that most experienced hunters are of the mind set that they cannot be killed by the use of anything unnatural,I guarantee though that if estrus doe's are there or have come through there so will mature bucks and not just under the cover of darkness.
Bait is an attractant,food plots are healthier for deer and more consistent in the nutrition they deliver but they are still an attractant.Hunting downwind of a runway leading in to a food plot is no different to me than hunting downwind of a corn pile.I know it took a lot of back breaking work to create the plot but the primary purpose is to deliver better nutrition and to attract and hold more deer.
Feeding over a spin caster in Texas or a corn pile in the Canadian provinces is not my thing,but I don't have any less respect for those who do it that way.
I also don't like running bear or montain lions with dogs,but I know from freinds of mine who have hunted in that manner for mountain lions it is far from a slam dunk and probably the most physically demanding form of hunting there is,trying to keep up with dogs`for miles through the thickest,nastiest and steepest terrain you can imagine.You better have eaten your wheaties if you go on one of those hunts.

RE: Why bait?
 

This could be one reason:

RE: Why bait?
 

tsoc,

What you have said is very true. But I will say that I and others I know but certainly not everybody , also feed to hold the animals in the area, and to give them better nutrition. Just like others use a food plot. If I was only interested in feeding to bait, I would not shell out 10.00 / 50# bag for 20 % protein purina deer chow. I would feed cheap stuff, like a lot of other people. But I have been feeding since early summer a mix of corn and deer chow, and yes it gets expensive.

But here-in lies the rub......
I lease the land I hunt, with two friends. As the land is leased, we are not allowed to go in and clear land for food plots. We are not allowed to go in and make improvements. The land was hardwood logged several years ago, there-fore there are very few oak trees left to supply a mast crop for the deer. So all the deer are left with is rough browse, and what we supply through feeders. I have three 200 lb. feeders that I keep full. If we don't feed the deer, they will migrate to the land around ours that are still ripe with acorn trees. And when the mast crop begins to drop, they still will to some extent. There is just not enough to go around or to last very long though. Once the acorns are gone, they come back to the feeders like a buffet line. Deer density's down here are rediculus... I can go out and sometimes see 30 deer in a mornings hunt. I, and others, have seen 50+ deer before, but that is not the norm. Seeing 6-10 deer in a group is not uncommon. We are lousy with them, but our Game and Fish Commission does not see a need to thin the herd. They want numbers, not quality. So baiting is allowed and legal here. But feeding the deer is almost more of a necessity here than a desire to bait. But when I take the children out to hunt, it does help bring deer in for them. And as they get older, I can teach them the preferred way, scouting and ambush, to find and hunt their deer.

I appreciate your views.... Thanks,

God Bless