FYI...the presence of corn fields can actually cause hunting to become more difficult than if it wasn't there due to the fact that many of the deer will use them as shelter to hide from hunters. It has caused me headaches many times when our neighbor grows corn along the borders of our land.

Comparing a field of standing corn, which can be hundreds of acres in size, to a pile of food which can be placed anywhere that the hunter wishes (beneath a perfectly placed stand in the woods?) is pretty stupid IMO

For starters rimrok job needs to check the scoreboard from last night, sorry buddy time to change the avatar JK.

I agree with bowtech love in general. 5 to 10 gallons of bait will not completely change the deer movement in an area. The only way such a small bait pile will work is if the hunter has done his scouting and puts the bait in area where the deer are already feeding, traveling, bedding etc. Used in that way five gallons of bait is no differen that using doe piss, c'mere deer, buckjam, or any other legal attractant.

However a permanent feeder or food plot will permanenttly change deer patterns and stack the odds in a hunter favor considerably more than a moderate bait pile.

I also hunt in packerland (GO PACK), and IMO the restrictions on baiting are unfair to those who may not hunt on private land or land they own, and cannot plant food plots.

Not being able to pattern deer in a cornfield is pretty stupid in my opinion. If you don't like it don't do it. But if its legal, don't condemn others for choosing to do so. And if its not legal where you hunt that may just have something to do with your opinion.

Ridiculous comparison.

Why? Really, why? Each way can help a hunter pattern deer and get a shot opportunity. it may take longer in a corn field but deer are creatures of habit. Find where they enter and exit and chances are if you set up there they will come by again.

First time I see an indigenous corn stalk or soy bean plant sprout up....I'll change my tune!

Until that time.....it's "artificial".

Does asoy beanfield alter deer movements? If the answer's yes.....then what if my neighbor feeds deer and I hunt them on their way to the feed? What's the difference?

Just for the sake of conversation....

Ok, you guys are loosing focus. The original question was what harm is there in baiting. The correct answer has been given; spreading of disease. As mentioned a pile of corn is not consumed in one mouthful so saliva is being transmitted from deer to deer. The only way you could compare the bait pile to standing corn is if you seperated each kernel so that no deer was eating behind another. It could be done by spreading a small amount of corn over a large area but realistically this isn't going to happen. I'd rather not bait (for GMMAT that means bait pile) than loose a good portion of our deer to disease and have the season closed for a couple years.

You are absolutely right. I did lose focus. It happens to me whenever guys in the ag belt condemn feeders. Then they say the cornfield they hunt is a natural food source. The only ag around my hunting grounds are hay fields for the cattle. Not quite the draw for deer that corn fields are.

Pa is hardly in the ag belt, and I don't have any crops in my hunting area, at all.

Thats cool then EI. It wasn't directed at just you. for what its worth I don't hunt over feeders.( well I do for feral hogs, not deer) I just don't understand why some guys just can't let people hunt how they want if its legal without jumping all over them for LEGAL methods.