RE: Baiting vs. Planting Deer Feed - what's The Difference?
 

Yet another biologist/veterinarian pointing out the known differences between baiting and foodplots....I think the last statement sums this all up best..."In fact, in Michigan we recommend food plots…in the bovine TB area where it is illegal to feed or bait deer," Schmitt said.

RE: Baiting vs. Planting Deer Feed - what's The Difference?
 

So wouldn`t that mean food plots are illegal in that area. It says illegal to feed or bait deer but we recommened food plots. Things that make me go hummmmmmmm

RE: Baiting vs. Planting Deer Feed - what's The Difference?
 

Thanks for pointing this out once again Stretch...NO...foodplots are perfectly legal....

Why...because although we use the word food in the term food plots, biologists and game departements know that their effects on wildlife have far different impacts than manually feedingor baiting deer.

(Of course I could see where a person could try to twist the language to fit your description. However a reasonable person,(and a game warden/judge) would see clear through that argument.;))

RE: Baiting vs. Planting Deer Feed - what's The Difference?
 

My description?Where you come up with that one? So food plots don`t FEED Deer? so it states in the quote that it`s illegal to feed or bait deer. So now there is a difference between feeding deer and food plots. Im just confused here. Baiting would be putting out apples, corn etc? What would feeding them be? planting corn/soybeans etc? just wondering JC;):D

RE: Baiting vs. Planting Deer Feed - what's The Difference?
 

I would think the only thing it would take to make you go hummmmmmmmmm ,would be a mirror.

Just because you don,t have the land or ability to plant food plots don't rag on the ones that do!!!!!!![:o]

RE: Baiting vs. Planting Deer Feed - what's The Difference?
 

Jim I might suggest you read this thread before you post on it....Stretch has the land, the abilty, and does plant food plots....[:-]

He is simply playing devils advocate to keep the debate interesting...:D

RE: Baiting vs. Planting Deer Feed - what's The Difference?
 

Cmon Stretch, I thought for sure you knew this one...assumingthe state allows baiting and feeding, here are the definitions...(this one specific to Michigan I believe)

"Baiting" is the practice of placing piles of foods that deer favor near hunting blinds and stands. Hunters who bait hope to draw-in deer within close shooting range. By baiting deer over a period of time, they expect to improve their chances of getting a closer shot during legal hunting seasons. State law usuallylimits the volume, content, location and times when baits can be legally placed for white-tailed deer.

"Feeding" is different, as the aim is just to watch wildlife by providing supplements to natural foods. State law does not regulate or limit the foods, locations or timing when wildlife feeding can occur.

RE: Baiting vs. Planting Deer Feed - what's The Difference?
 

LMFAO we got a comedian on our hands. I always look in the mirror at the gym, and do say HUMMMMMMMM ( i look dam good)GOOD come back. READ THE ABOVE POSTS. I DO HAVE THE LAND AND DO PLANT PLOTS,DUH.Just trying to keep the debate going. JC has great points but I like to debate with him.

RE: Baiting vs. Planting Deer Feed - what's The Difference?
 

I dont see much of a difference myself. A guy hunting near crop fields is taking advantage of a deers stomach the same as a guy throwing out some corn. The crop field might benefit wildlife more than the corn pile but theyre both there to bring in deer.
Some folks just dont live in places where a food plot is possible either because of property sizes or types or they dont own land. I'm one. Most of my bowhunting is residential & while I dont bait everywhere I'll do it where it seems likely to pan out. It must be nice to be able to place a stand anywhere you want in an area but not everyones got it like that.
If your adamantly against baiting you ought not hunt near crop fields IMHO.
That said, if its legal I dont give a rats patootie what someone else does. ;)

RE: Baiting vs. Planting Deer Feed - what's The Difference?
 

So you are saying the deer don't live and eat natururally where you hunt? Is baiting required to make them come to the land you hunt?
I don't understand why hunting small pieces of land would necessitate baiting?
I hunt residential areas and I have never needed to use foodplots or baiting? I don't see the connection....(BTW....the buck in my avatar was taken in a strip of land between three house that is measured in hundreds of feet).

RE: Baiting vs. Planting Deer Feed - what's The Difference?
 

Where did I say it necessitated baiting? I said it rules out food plots. Sure it can be done without bait. My point is if its ok for people to bait by planting food for them then how can it be not ok for someone to attract them another way. If you hunt residential then you know the frustration of not being able to move over 100 yards when the deer decide to go the other way. Another thing is once baiting is legal just about everyone does it & it gets tough seeing deer if you dont happen to be in a place they go thru. Just as I'm sure a person planting food plots alters deer movement maybe screwing up a fellows honeyhole because the deer can now simply go eat from a garden.
I said above that I dont bait everywhere but if I need the deer to move away from a no fly zone a bit I'll give it a shot. I hunt over alot of plantings they like as well, whatever works, I dont see the point knocking another guys method tho.

Is eating in the middle of a crop field a natural occurence? If anything a deer finding food in the woods is more natural.

Everything we do is an attempt to swing things in our favor, thats about as natural as can be. If you dont wanna bait or cant, then dont, if you can & want to go ahead. If you want to draw deer into your area by planting food plots knock yourself out but dont lie to yourself & say its not baiting. ;)
I'm not knocking anyone here just stating my opinion. :)

RE: Baiting vs. Planting Deer Feed - what's The Difference?
 

You make some good points Leverdude. This thread is not intended to be pro/con baiting vs.foodplots.

It was intended as an area todebate peoples opinions concerning similarities/differences between the two.

For example..you make the statement..."Another thing is once baiting is legal just about everyone does it & it gets tough seeing deer if you dont happen to be in a place they go thru."

I couldn't agree with you more!!

Now compare that to the legal use of foodplots...I live in New York state where of course foodplots are legal...The fact is, I do not personally know a single person that plants foodplots to aid them in the harvest of their deer!! Even if they did they would need to be so large that they would be no different then any other agricultural field in the area. They certainly would not have any direct effects on neighboring hunters. (other than helping to support the herd)

I am certain however if baiting were allowed in NY I would be suffering from the same problem you earlier pointed out.."Another thing is once baiting is legal just about everyone does it & it gets tough seeing deer if you dont happen to be in a place they go thru." On top of that, once the season is over the deer are left to deal with the side effects that occur as a result of baiting.

I have stated on this board many times...if a hunter wants to hunt over bait so be it...however if that baiting activity is affecting other hunters that chose not to hunt over bait..then I believe it is detrimental to the sport.

Just one more pro/con comparison between the two...