bowtex

This was my first year hunting (bow/gun/sharpened stick) and I followed the example of the people around me. I live and hunt in Texas where hunting feeders (baiting) is legal on private property, and as best I can tell, is the way 75% plus of hunters take deer.

It was a big charge, but I have heard and seen a number of posts denegrating the practice. I didn't feel any more unethical than when putting a worm on the hook fishing, but think I want try other methods next season for more challenge. The biggest problem is that rifle season starts just a little before rut in most of Texas and the deer get careful after the bullets start flying.

I am interested in hearing the opinions of folks who have given the matter serious thought. Please, no spewing of pejoratives. I do not have the patience to sift through them to find the salient point.

Thanks in advance for the points of view.

Bionicrooster

If you feel that it is ethical and if it is legal, do it. Because of differences in deer densities, rut times, terrain, et cetera, I don't like to judge others way of hunting, as long as it is legal and you feel right doing it. That said, sometimes trying new ways and tactics helps you become an all around better hunter and gives a great deal of satisfaction.

"We do not inherit our wildlife from our fathers, we only borrow it from our children."

Who

Bowtex,
I live in Lubbock. Most of the farms and ranches around here are dry land crops. They depend on the rain if it comes and if it doesnt drop 12 inches all at once.
I have seen cattle fight over hay. I hear people say " There are lot of deer this year, I see them all the time on the road." Yes they are seeing them there but its becouse they can get to the grass on the other side of the fence that the cattle cant get to.
I can plant a food plot and fence it but if the cattle need to eat the land owner is going to open the fence.
I feel that using feeders is a reasonable way to help deer with feed. I do not see the cows coming into the feeder pen and usually the owner will leave these alone.
Do I hunt over a feeder? No, I hunt between these and a beding area or between it and a water area.
Do I feel it is wrong to use a feeder? No, I dont think it is any worse than planting or hunting on a food plot or a grain field. We dont have the H2O that some of these states get to grow our food plots. The water is deep and the elect. to get it out is $$ so the farmer/rancher does not irrigate crops.
So I can put down seed and hope that it will get rain to come up or set out a few feeders to help with a feeding program for the deer and to help keep them coming to the plot as it and if it grows.
So the question to me is if Baiting is useing a feeder or planting or hunting over a food plot. To me they all could be called baiting.
Your welcome.
Rick

Lifes not about knowing the answers, its about asking the questions.

basserman

I won't...Don't have to

If that's what you do, fine. It's not for me to find fault w/you. This again is a personal choice. LOL

"Semper Fi"

thundermug

Like Who said, feeder or food plot...what's the difference? As long as it's legal.

FOOLPROOF?
Never underestimate the power of a fool!

What if the "Hokey Pokey" really is what it's all about?

5 shot

Thundermug stole my thunder, LOL I agree with him 100% on this matter. Food is food whether you plant it or set it out for the deer.

TAKE YOUR KIDS HUNTING AND YOU WON'T BE HUNTING FOR YOUR KIDS

davidmil

The thing I dislike about baiting is that it conditions the animals to come to the diner table. If the food is all nice and piled up every day in the same place and easy to find.... the deer sleep in. They don't have to forage and wander for food like they do if the bait piles weren't there. SO, they sleep in later and arrive at the feed at dark or just after dark, gorge themselves and take a nap. I think the smart old deer will hang back and not come until dark. For those who say its like a food plot.... well... Not exactly. It's a little tougher deciding which trail a deer is going to take to enter a field than it is to hunt over a feeder. It's a little tougher to decide WHICH field a deer is going to. You know deer will be at the feeder.

cardeer

Up to the person,If it is legal in your state OK ,if it is Ok with you.I lived in South Texas and hunted there. It is almost impossible to walk thru that brush and not get stuck with hundreds of needles and cactus.Not to mention the snakes. Dave I feed the deer in my yard after the season closes to keep them from stripping my lawn and starving in a bad winter..Your right they come and go under darkness most the time

davidmil

I feed them at home to. I have no problem with baiting if it's legal... I just feel it cuts down on deer movement which lessens chances of seeing the BIG ONE.<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> You either see the whole HERD or nothing because they're at someone elses feeder.

bogobble

I agree with what davidmil said. another reason i don't like to bait is IMO, it takes the challenge out of the hunt.

anybody can go sit by a corn pile and shoot a deer. because you know he's comin sooner or later.

I like the challenge of findin the trails-rublines-scrapes- all the essential sign it takes to make your plan come together. but even after findin all the sign, you then have to figure out where to set your stand to get the shot. all this, as opposed to climbing in a stand over a corn pile, or somethin that's been planted.

that said, I don't have anything against the hunter that chooses to hunt over bait. as I've always beleived- it should be the hunters choice, includin the weapon of his choice<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

daytona 500 winner- Ward Burton
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