Never hunted over bait before , but since we can in NJ , figured I'd give it a try. What food seems to work the best and how far away should you be from the pile ? I'll be hunting in a pop-up blind. How far in advance to you put food out and how often to you check/re-stock the pile ?

Corn is usually the least expensive and effective. I like to spread it out instead of making a pile. It makes the deer stop and look around for it. Keeps them in the area longer and helps you get a good shot. If you are using a blind 15 or so yards away should be about right.

hunted over corn for half the year now, the deer are finaly really paying attention to it, i dont use a feeder i just take a 40lb bag back about once every 2 weeks and spread it out ,,,,, last weekend i took a bb and my buddy took a 8 point off the same corn ,we locked up 20 yards away and i stuck the bb at 3:57 and he stuck the 8 point at 4:50 we got both the killes on video we were on 2 tree,s about 1 foot apart , the deer ate the corn and looked all around for it i think if you spread the corn it makes them stay longer therefore you get to make the shot

if you dont spread it out , it'll rot & mold. At least thats what the bag of corn has written on it

Well I only ever really bait in the late season, and if you are worried about the corn rotting on the ground then you might want to try another spot. Because it seems the corn is gone rather quicky on the one farm I hunt. Even when the corn is dumped by a front end loader. Thats just my expirence

My .002 worth,
We don't like baiting - but - our farm hasn't had food plots in 3 yrs - but - our neighboring farms have corn,beans,clover.

We put out 50lb bags in 5-6 key areas. We spread it out in a long string to prevent mould if rains and encourage more deer to feed. We keep the corn at 50-100yrds+ from any stand. You will almost never get anything but young & dumb deer to come in on bait/feeder closer than 50yrds. We place it so you do not walk over,around or remotely close to your bait. This keeps the baited area scent free and prevents you from getting busted while walking to stand. Stay away from bait/feeders.

I also like to put some crushed apples out around corn or pour a bottle of molasses on bait or on stump near by. That aroma will keep them coming back for days after corn is long gone!