Im not sure if this is where this is supposed to be posted, i am sort of new to this site, and havent really searched around much. So if it is, im sorry.

I recently posted a topic on regulations in the Bowhunting forum, (Regulations Regulations!), and if you havent read it, then maybe you should to see why I am posting this one.

In a reply to my post, another topic was brought to my attention about a specific set of rules that alot of states have and inforce. Me being from Wisconsin, I dont know much about any other states laws or regulations when it comes to baiting and the restrictions, but I know WI. rules, and I dont believe it s a fair judgement. I have read and heard many different opinions on the matter, and most of them were in the realm of realiaty, others way far fetched. There are pro's and con's to everything we do, that is why I dont understand the baiting rules, here in WI.

I dont see, and nobody has yet to show me, where having a bait pile is a bad thing, if it is regulated and cared for.
Dont get me wrong, someone that gioes out and dumps a truck load of corn or apples, is completly ridiculous, but someone that carries maybe 5-10 gallons of corn or apples, maybe a mixture, to a secluded area, back in the woods, shouldnt get the shaft.
For one, the little bit of food there, will not only be eaten by deer, but by other animals in the woods. The same animals that have been living, sleeping and eating with each other for hundreds of years. The deer are not the only ones that get the goods-
For two, how can 5-10 gallon pile of food, really congregrate animals? IMO that just isnt possible! Deer, just one of many, are browsers and cant just live off of one food source alone, they nned an array of foods to aid in thier well-being, so what little amount is left for them, isnt enough to make them saty there all the time, and as hunters we should all know that there are many other variables that make deer move around to different areas-
For three, I dont know about the rest of the world, but me, all the food I would get for my bait pile, was from the exact same place they would get it from initionally, the farmers fields or the orchards, whatever it may be. Animals eat that all the time, and if anyhthing, would draw more animals there, because of how big the food source is!

I know that some people have the exact opposite mind-set, when it comes to baiting, but ask yourselfs this....
Are there any rules for hunting over a cornfield? how about hunting over an apple tree? what if they said you cant hunt over a food plot?
What would you say if they told you that you could only hunt in oaks, before the acorns fell, would you like it? Or how about we go the other way, for the animal lovers, what if they put out regulations that said you were allowed no more the two birdfeeders in your yard?

These little things are what keeps destroying our beloved sport. Im not saying that we should be able to do whatever we want, but I am saying that we should be able to do things in a reasonable manner. Rules and regs. are a great idea, and keeping things in line. So why cant we come up with ruls for that?
If your able to plant a food plot, and keep track of it, take care of it, producce nice food sources, then why cant you put out only so much bait, in a set amount of time, watch it, make sure all is well and then hunt it? I mean whats more important, hunting for the love of it or to be "ruled out" so to speak?

I believe that regulations are great, and that they do help, but I thought that they were suppose to protect us, not confine us!!!

The big problem is not the congration of the animals, the fact the leave saliva on the bait its self and then other animals come up and eat it with in close time proximity of each other. Normal deer food, are small browse and nuts and fruit, the deer consume the whole thing not leaving any of it behind. and what saliva they do leave behind is usually in effective because of the time that allapses before the next deer eats off it. I have used bait to get pictures on trail cameras, and they do congregate, i have some pics with over 10 deer on the pile of sweetfeed. and more walking down to partake. They push their way in and eat food in the same spot another deer was up to his/her ears into. The spread of saliva is the big problem from everything i have read.

Here's my view on the subject. It isn't popular....but sue me. I said this a LONG time ago.

“Saying that a corn field isn't an artificial food source don't make it so. It's as artificial as a pile of corn. The deer don't know the difference......except the last guy was nice enough to shell it for them.”

We have hundreds of thousands of acres of corn fields.

Answer me this one question?
HOW MANY DEER CAN FIT INTO A 20 ACRE CORNFIELD?
V.S.
HOW MANY DEER CAN FIT AROUND A 10 GALLON PILE?

How many deer would come to either if they weren't there?

Big difference between a pile/feeder of corn, and a corn field. With the pile of corn, the deer are coming to a specific spot. With a corn field, they mightbe feeding anywhere in or around it.

OK EI.....So answer me this one.

Spread the corn over 100 acres....and grow 100 acres of corn. What's the difference? Is corn indigenous to the area?

I'll conceded the bait pile is larger in the example of the corn field. So can we establish that the difference is the size of the pile?

Does the cornfield help you pattern the deer? Can you watch for a day or 2 and know when and where they will enter? Yeah, I thought so. One big bait pile!

No, let's not spread the corn over 100 acres. Just read what I said again, it hasn't changed.