Best Bait
 

I have used the store bought fancy baits and some of them work ok. This year I have gone a different route and started to buy hard corn on the cob off a local farmer. I mix in some mineral with it then dump them out. I have never seen more deer in my life coming to these piles I dump out. I get this for a fraction of the cost and have much better results. What are some of the products you guys use and wat have you gotten the best results with?

Rot row, you just opened a can of worms.

Apple trees and corn fields...

I don't rely on bait to kill my deer, so I would have no idea.:nonono2:

Bait???? What the heck do you need bait for??? Aren't you talented enuff to harvest the most magnificent big game animal out there on your own? Just my opinion...but baiting deer is for SISSY's!!!!!

Too funny. I do have a question, what is the difference between planning a plot and hunting it or dumping a pile of corn? I am not a saint, for I have baited when it was legal but it sure is more fun to go out with a climber and place yourself between the feeding and safe zone. Just my opinion.

I agree, although I do not hunt over bait because is also illegal in michigan, I find it very funny how people can mock others for there preference of hunting style which in this case is baiting. Those same people probably climb into there stands and hunt over 1/4-1 acre food plots that they placed there to do just that. Now tell me what is the difference of throwing some apples and corn on the ground compared to a small hunting plot or even hunting over an apple tree as someone had also mentioned. Does it make you a better hunter because your able to have a stand positioned over an apple tree, next to a small plot, or even hung in a giant oak tree, I doubt it!!! On my property I have small food plot, big trecks of corn, soy beans, and alfalfa, I also have numerous apple trees and oak trees but if someone wants to bait go for because thats their choice. Hey if it was legal I probably would do here and there as well, I know that how I would start off my boy hunting. I thought we are suppose to get people involved in the outdoors, which is something I charish!!

This is just a shot in the dark here, but it's something I've noticed in reading a lot of these baiting threads...and just because I don't post a lot doesn't mean I don't read alot.

It seems that most of those who criticize and are opposed to "baiting" deer just happen to live in areas where it isn't legal. There are a handful who can but don't, but it vastly seems that the majority of those opposed just simply can't bait anyway. Is there a connection there somewhere?

Ohh come on that is not good bow hunting behavior. Just because he baits does not make him a sissy or mean that hes lazy. Thats just how he hunts. I hunt over an 8 & 15 acre corn fields, does that make me a sissy or lazy? No. Because I know what deer like and they like corn. If one decides to bait, he should not be condemned for doing so. But if you think so, think about how you hunt. You hunt over a food plot im sure, its no different. If not im sure you use acorns to your advantage, well guess what, you might as well consider yourself a sissy.

I have a couple of small private spots where I could put bait out leagally, but don't. "Baiting" means drawing deer to a SPECIFIC location where they can easily be taken/killed. Food plots and crop fields draw deer to a much more "GENERAL" area, giving them much more of a fair chance. This is how "I" see it.

I simply rely on a deer's "natural" movement and my ability to locate my stand in a favorable location to get a shot. If it's legal and someone wants to hunt like that, so be it. Just don't come bragging to me when you shoot your buck that couldn't resist the "easy pickings" you provided him. Good luck out there guys, and BE SAFE!!

:p:p:p:p:p:p ".................. There's no ethical difference between hunting over a salt lick, or pile of corn as compared to hunting over an oak tree producing acorns or an apple tree, or a scrape or rubline...................'. If it's legal, go for it.


To compare the issues as being equal, however, ;);) Sorry fellas, it just strikes me funny. Strictly my own personal opinion.

Sure there's a difference! One scenario is naturally occurring and the other is not. You don't see a difference here?

oh boy i have seen this war fought before

In church life when the conversation gets like this, I will usually say...."let us pray..."

Just kidding.

The conversation will continue as long as there are different rules for different states. As a Libertarian, I support states rights and the hunter's right to hunt however is legal in that state.

With that said, we have not really answered the original question.

I do have some limited experience in baiting, where it is legal in FL. My experience is that there is so much browse in FL year round that baiting with say corn, just makes it a convenient stop along their normal travel routes. My best experience comes from spreading or broadcasting corn in a large area. I don't think deer like "piles" as much as being spread out like. It also allows it to be found easier and it doesn't ruin in the rain as much as a pile would. Deer love corn, but will walk right past it to go to a white-oak that is dropping acorns. The same is true of clay-iron peas. They just love 'em.

I have never tried minerals or salt. Good luck and happy hunting....just do it legally and I am happy with you!

or how about the questions of shooting blinds (houses on stilts),why not just shoot from your vehicle or house, if you live out of town. I guess if I shot from my back deck at deer eating my apples in the yard its OK ? To each his own. Do what makes you feel right. Perhaps your hunting styles will change after time.

The main difference is planting a food plot takes work. Much more so than going out in the woods with a bucket full of corn and a gun on your back.

:busted:

you have already got alot against you goin up against a good buck so i say if they guy wants to bait then let him do it...dont condemn him for it when its legal i dont do it but i have before...i'll do jus about anything to put more of the odds in my favor.

Ok guys, I didn't mean to start a war here. All I wanted to know what worked for others.I dump a 5 gallon bucket of hard corn on the cob along with some minerals. I have had this tree stand here and I just started using this kind of thing last year. I have been bowhunting for 13 years and this is the second year I used "bait". I can tell you this, last year was one of my slowest worse years ever. So, I would say there goes your advantage hunter over deer. The pile is right on the end of a natural funnel that opens up into a large soybean field. I have had this stand here since 99'. My son and I have shot many deer, both does and bucks out of this stand for many years without bait. I just thought I would give it a try and see what would happen It's not like I know they don't come here anyways. I see no advantage here. Sorry I'm not as awesome as you guys that think this is wrong. Do you guys hunt with traditional? Do you use a gun, rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader? I think guys that gun hunt are sissys. However, I don't come on here condemning them. That is their preferred practice of hunting and it is legal so be it. Hope you all have a good season. Once again, sorry for all the strife about this post.

You could also try food plots; ag fields; attractants; etc.....as OTHER forms of "bait".

They all work.....and they're ALL hunted the same way (and with the exact same purpose in mind) by hunters.

The first time I see indigenous corn; soy beans; rape; alf-alfa; etc..., etc..., etc... growing in the wild.....I'll stop referring to it as "bait". But, don't hold your breath, there.

Good luck!

I was being more than just a little bit facitious, hence the quotation marks around the statement and the bunch of "laugh" smilies preceding it.:p

here in the show me state the skunk police will give you a stiff fine and your will be put on a nation board, you can not buy out of state tag that are on the board, its just like poaching

for those who can plant food plots "great", but i have to hunt public land here in ohio and usually only for two days at a time on weekends. therefor i bait with corn(its legal) and sometimes soybeans if i can get them but i still have to find a place i believe deer will be, i still have to hang a stand in a good tree. my opinion is that with usually only two days at a time hunt i use bait. it only helps to bring them in anyway. i still have to be scent free, quiet, wind in right direction, etc,etc. the deer are still free range deer.
just my 2cents and season opens next sat and my corn is out and i have tree picked out for stand, travel path to stand tree and i won't think twice about it. not alot of food plot to hunt on public land or i would save the money for the corn

Well, why not continue the fun. How many have bought a trail cam? If yes, do you use it for hunting? If yes, do you use bait as an attractant? For those who answered yes, yes, no, lets see those cow pasture pictures with 4 bucks in the photo. I am not in the same boat that if it is legal then do it because I was not out flinging bullets this past weekend for the opener of early doe season, but I do sit in the whatever makes you happy boat. Let's see those pics and we can say ligite or BS.

I have been hunting the last 6 years, and I have used corn as bait everyone of those six years. I hunt in NC so it is legal. I dont see a problem with using a bait pile. To me it gives the hunter more opprutunity to take an ethical shot. I dont know how many stories ive read on here about losing deer due to bad shot angle. Most of the time with bait piles deer will hang around longer and possibly give the hunter a better shot.

I also wanted to point out that I grow the corn I use for bait, so how is that easier than hunting a food plot. I have to put in the same amount of work, if not more, to use the corn as bait.

I ultimately feel that if it is legal to bait and you want to do it, you shouldnt be condemned for it. I also think that it doesnt take anything away from the deer you do kill. Using baits, you still have to know where the deer are and you still have to make a lethal shot.

Horse feed works amazing! Get the molasses blend and be blown away by the deer that come!

You're spot-on with your assessment.



I don't refer to it as baiting anyway... I call it supplementing! The deer need the corn for it's nutritional value:sign0004: j/k

wow. you're tough.

I have had good success by dumping shelled corn in a five gallon bucket and then dumping a 2 liter bottle of root beer, throw in some salt and mix. You'd be surprised how fast they eat it up.

So you used pencil and paper in math class while everyone else used a calculator?

I don't hunt over bait piles unless I realize it is needed, which is rare since I own my own land and can usually scout early and regularly. But some people don't have time to plant a food plot, or even scout during the off season like a lot of us do. I have friends who work the same job as me, but have to support a family and their kids (who have school, sports, activities, etc.).

Not saying this is true for everyone, but don't be too quick to judge people, especially in this case, where it is legal to bait in some areas while hunting.