DSGB Posted March 1, 2006 Report Share Posted March 1, 2006 Re: should hunting over bait be legal? I believe there is a big difference between hunting natural food sources and hunting over a pile of bait you set out. You have to find out what they are eating at different times of the year and figure out when they are coming to them as well as how they are going to get there. I agree that humans have used food sources as likely hunting grounds for centuries. Native Americans would burn areas and then hunt them when the new growth started. What I have a problem with, is people that put out a pile of corn and sit 50 yards away and shoot the deer as they come to the bait. Then, when they kill a nice buck, they brag about how they killed it and how good of a hunter they are. Timed feeders are even worse, because then you know when the deer will be there. Kinda takes all the fun out of the whole hunt. I will admit, I have used scents to attract deer, but only a few times and I don't do it anymore. I do use cover scents, but not attractants. They don't really work that great anyway. I have never used decoys to hunt deer. I have hunted food plots and corn fields, but the corn is usually harvested by the start of the season. Most of the time I hunt creek bottoms and natural funnels and try to figure out where the deer want to go, not how to get them to go where I want them to. If you want to hunt over bait, that's fine with me as long as it's legal where you live, but I don't think it should be legal in GA and is not necessary. Deer in GA don't starve from lack of food in the winter. It works in places like Texas because they don't grow too many plants that deer can eat. The food available on 1000 acres in Georgia could support probably twice as much wildlife than the same amount of land in Texas. (that's just a rough estimate, not a fact) You can hunt over bait all you want in your home state, as long as it's legal. I just don't agree with it or consider it ethical. That's my opinion and no matter what you say it will not be changed, as I don't expect to change your oipinion. I wasn't trying to offend anyone with my first post. Just stating my opinion, which I am entitled to. I have seen this argument thousands of times in the last few years as they are trying to pass a bill here to make hunting over bait legal. If the bill passes it will forever change hunting in Georgia and that is not something I would like to see happen. There has been talk of landowners, particularly in the southern half of the state where all the big plantations are, that plan on stopping the practice of leasing to individuals and clubs, so they can just put out feeders and charge a daily fee for hunting those areas. I am sure not everyone will do this, but it will be a matter of time before it spreads. Pretty soon the average Joe won't be able to afford to hunt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mirage Posted March 1, 2006 Report Share Posted March 1, 2006 Re: should hunting over bait be legal? I think that hunting over bait is ok, but hey each to there own Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
total disaster Posted March 1, 2006 Report Share Posted March 1, 2006 Re: should hunting over bait be legal? I read this post and think ....would hunters who don't like people hunting over bait stick up for the "baiters" if in that area they try to get baiting aganst the law?? if so I think thats dividin hunters amongst hunters so why do we need anties when we can't back each other up for something that is legal in that area ??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted March 1, 2006 Report Share Posted March 1, 2006 Re: should hunting over bait be legal? [ QUOTE ] I read this post and think ....would hunters who don't like people hunting over bait stick up for the "baiters" if in that area they try to get baiting aganst the law?? if so I think thats dividin hunters amongst hunters so why do we need anties when we can't back each other up for something that is legal in that area ??? [/ QUOTE ] Good point. Usually you will find that the areas that allow baiting are over-populated with deer, and baiting is allowed, to enhance the success rate of hunters. Like so many have said above, baiting is not as easy as it sounds and can get expensive and futile if your after Mr. big. I'm not going to lower myself and use the term real hunters do this or real hunters do that, or rate someone as to whether they are a hunter or not, based on the amount of effort they put forth during hunting season, whether I agree with baiting or not. If it's legal, then you as a hunter have the option of using it or not using it, plain and simple. Legal is Legal, and if we as hunters want to change the laws, then we shouldn't be calling each other names, we should be writing letters and stating our case to those who make the laws. That's how it works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest iowabowhunter16 Posted March 1, 2006 Report Share Posted March 1, 2006 Re: should hunting over bait be legal? hunting a corn feed isnt baiting!!!! hunting over a saltblock or a feeder is!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdickey Posted March 1, 2006 Report Share Posted March 1, 2006 Re: should hunting over bait be legal? BAITING.... is that where you drop a birght shiney hook in the water .... and hope that a FISH runs into it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
total disaster Posted March 1, 2006 Report Share Posted March 1, 2006 Re: should hunting over bait be legal? [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] I read this post and think ....would hunters who don't like people hunting over bait stick up for the "baiters" if in that area they try to get baiting aganst the law?? if so I think thats dividin hunters amongst hunters so why do we need anties when we can't back each other up for something that is legal in that area ??? [/ QUOTE ] Good point. Usually you will find that the areas that allow baiting are over-populated with deer, and baiting is allowed, to enhance the success rate of hunters. Like so many have said above, baiting is not as easy as it sounds and can get expensive and futile if your after Mr. big. I'm not going to lower myself and use the term real hunters do this or real hunters do that, or rate someone as to whether they are a hunter or not, based on the amount of effort they put forth during hunting season, whether I agree with baiting or not. If it's legal, then you as a hunter have the option of using it or not using it, plain and simple. Legal is Legal, and if we as hunters want to change the laws, then we shouldn't be calling each other names, we should be writing letters and stating our case to those who make the laws. That's how it works. [/ QUOTE ] I agree 100% with you legal should be the only word we are worried about not what someone thinks is better or worse IMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest HONKERS44 Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 Re: should hunting over bait be legal? In Penna.....No....!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VtBowhunter Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 Re: should hunting over bait be legal? Hunting over a trail that leads to a food source is not the same as hunting over a bait pile. You're sitting in range of a trail that the deer may or may not take to get to said food, but with the pile. you're right there, so it doesn't matter what direction the deer take to get to it......you're waiting OVER the food for 'em.......That's how I see a difference anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arrow32 Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 Re: should hunting over bait be legal? [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] I read this post and think ....would hunters who don't like people hunting over bait stick up for the "baiters" if in that area they try to get baiting aganst the law?? if so I think thats dividin hunters amongst hunters so why do we need anties when we can't back each other up for something that is legal in that area ??? [/ QUOTE ] Good point. Usually you will find that the areas that allow baiting are over-populated with deer, and baiting is allowed, to enhance the success rate of hunters. Like so many have said above, baiting is not as easy as it sounds and can get expensive and futile if your after Mr. big. I'm not going to lower myself and use the term real hunters do this or real hunters do that, or rate someone as to whether they are a hunter or not, based on the amount of effort they put forth during hunting season, whether I agree with baiting or not. If it's legal, then you as a hunter have the option of using it or not using it, plain and simple. Legal is Legal, and if we as hunters want to change the laws, then we shouldn't be calling each other names, we should be writing letters and stating our case to those who make the laws. That's how it works. [/ QUOTE ] I agree 100% with you legal should be the only word we are worried about not what someone thinks is better or worse IMO [/ QUOTE ] Im with yall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest iowabowhunter16 Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 Re: should hunting over bait be legal? Thank you Vtbowhunter you the man! hunting Trails are 100% fair like you said the deer may or maynot take the trail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 Re: should hunting over bait be legal? [ QUOTE ] Hunting over a trail that leads to a food source is not the same as hunting over a bait pile. You're sitting in range of a trail that the deer may or may not take to get to said food, but with the pile. you're right there, so it doesn't matter what direction the deer take to get to it......you're waiting OVER the food for 'em.......That's how I see a difference anyway. [/ QUOTE ] And just because you have a big pile of corn in front of you doesn't mean deer are going to come to it. Every time I've tried baiting(don't due it any more) I never saw a single deer go to the pile. The next moring the pile was either gone or almost gone. The only guarenteed hunting is the "Jimmy Houston" method. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superguide Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 Re: should hunting over bait be legal? Looks like it's just a matter of semantics lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted March 3, 2006 Report Share Posted March 3, 2006 Re: should hunting over bait be legal? One of the things that I have noticed in these baiting threads is that usually the intent is to draw deer from other people's hunting area. Food plots are generally the same kind of mentality. To me, there is some element of selfishness in that whole attitude that kind of bugs me. It kind of falls in line with the guy who posts up huge amounts of land just so he can have it all to himself. This new kind of "I'm gonna get mine and the heck with you" attitude that has crept into hunting has really been quite destructive to the sport. You talk about hunter against hunter .... this is the epitome of that kind of thing. Doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted March 3, 2006 Report Share Posted March 3, 2006 Re: should hunting over bait be legal? [ QUOTE ] One of the things that I have noticed in these baiting threads is that usually the intent is to draw deer from other people's hunting area. Food plots are generally the same kind of mentality. To me, there is some element of selfishness in that whole attitude that kind of bugs me. It kind of falls in line with the guy who posts up huge amounts of land just so he can have it all to himself. This new kind of "I'm gonna get mine and the heck with you" attitude that has crept into hunting has really been quite destructive to the sport. You talk about hunter against hunter .... this is the epitome of that kind of thing. Doc [/ QUOTE ] That's one of the reasons I love the rut so much. Just hang around lots of does and you've got yourself something more powerful than any food-plot or bait pile. I always like those surprise deer from neighbouring land, that come cruising for does at that time. You know.....the one big brute that you never ever saw before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaCoyote Posted March 3, 2006 Report Share Posted March 3, 2006 Re: should hunting over bait be legal? I don't see a problem with it, especially where hunting is important for population control. I wouldn't be interested in doing it myself, but I think it'd be good for my elderly dad or for a younger kid. For, me hunting is about outsmarting that deer and seeing country. Baiting doesn't give you those experiences. How smart do you have to be to sit at a feeder? That said, I just don't care how folks hunt there deer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdvantageTimberLou Posted March 3, 2006 Report Share Posted March 3, 2006 Re: should hunting over bait be legal? In my area we have a 2 gallon limit but the locals abuse that policy and it makes me mad. I don't bait, I try to find a funnel area and wait and see what might come my way. You couldn't keep up with what the neighbors are doing with bait so all you can do is try to find the trail the deer might take to their land. For kids I think its good because it gives them a chance of seeing all kinds of wildlife. Kids have short attention spans and tend to fidget at times, a bait pile helps draw in all the woods critters and it might make the time in the woods go by faster and better for them. I say if people are out hunting and enjoying it, let them do it their way. We are all entitled to what we want to do and each sees their idea as better. We don't need wars amongst ourselves over the debate of baiting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nut Posted March 3, 2006 Report Share Posted March 3, 2006 Re: should hunting over bait be legal? [ QUOTE ] I say if people are out hunting and enjoying it, let them do it their way. We are all entitled to what we want to do and each sees their idea as better. We don't need wars amongst ourselves over the debate of baiting. [/ QUOTE ] Ditto Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elkoholic Posted March 3, 2006 Report Share Posted March 3, 2006 Re: should hunting over bait be legal? Every so often this subject pops up and I think the general consensus is that we agree to disagree. My opinion, it should not be a question of legality (although, if it's not legal, don't do it), but more of your own hunting ethics and the surrounding circumstances. It probably would not do much good to place a pile of corn between two corn fields, but a pile of corn back in the woods a mile from the nearest field would be another matter. If there are too many deer, that is probably not the situation a mile from the nearest field. Most of the areas with too many deer are the result of lost hunting opportunities due to human population growth, or poor herd management, either from not a large enough doe harvest or supplemental feeding allowing an artificially inflated carrying capacity of the land. Baiting will not help in these situations. Sitting over a bait pile is not my cup of tea. Is it hunting? If you think you are hunting while you are waiting for something to shoot, you're hunting. By definition hunting is to pursue or search for something and I have yet to see "waiting" in any definition of hunting. Should it be legal? If it is the only way some of us can enjoy the outdoors, then yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted March 3, 2006 Report Share Posted March 3, 2006 Re: should hunting over bait be legal? [ QUOTE ] By definition hunting is to pursue or search for something and I have yet to see "waiting" in any definition of hunting [/ QUOTE ] When I am sitting in my treestand, I am still in persuit of deer, and as I scan the bush with my eyes, I am searching also. By your interpretation of the definition of hunting, all treestand and blind hunters, including anyone who sits anywhere and waits for game are not hunting. Did you mean to say that thoughtfully ambushing any game is not hunting? I don't just stick up my treestand in any old place, ya know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest holt525 Posted March 5, 2006 Report Share Posted March 5, 2006 Re: should hunting over bait be legal? i dont think it should be i think thats cheatin. just my 0.02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontHunter Posted March 5, 2006 Report Share Posted March 5, 2006 Re: should hunting over bait be legal? PRO'S AND CON'S,, what more can be said.... I will add this tho, I use to put out TONS of apples and carrots, and I do mean TONS litterally, in all of the times of doing this I have NEVER once shot a animal over it, infact never saw with my two eye's a animal eating what I put out,,, but boy did it disapear, in a hurry.... Hey, all to his/her own.... If it's legal where you are, I see it as another method of hunting... It all falls in that preference factor like using a Bow, Rifle, CrossBow, Shotgun or the imfimous Recurve or longbow...... matter of choices.... Just be happy we have the right to hunt.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VtBowhunter Posted March 5, 2006 Report Share Posted March 5, 2006 Re: should hunting over bait be legal? [ QUOTE ] One of the things that I have noticed in these baiting threads is that usually the intent is to draw deer from other people's hunting area. Food plots are generally the same kind of mentality. [/ QUOTE ] Doc, you couldn't be further from the truth from what I've read. Folks are putting the plots in to see more game, but from what I've seen, the biggest reason is to have a healthier deer herd........I know that's why we do it......we want those deer good and healthy throughout the year and ready for the long winters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted March 5, 2006 Report Share Posted March 5, 2006 Re: should hunting over bait be legal? [ QUOTE ] One of the things that I have noticed in these baiting threads is that usually the intent is to draw deer from other people's hunting area. Food plots are generally the same kind of mentality. To me, there is some element of selfishness in that whole attitude that kind of bugs me. It kind of falls in line with the guy who posts up huge amounts of land just so he can have it all to himself. [/ QUOTE ] Selfish Doc, maybe, maybe not depending on how you want to look at it. Yes I do intend to draw deer onto my property and hold them. I tried to work with the leaseholders of one of the properties behind us, and they lied to me. We agreed that we would pass up younger deer. For 4 season I passed up several young bucks only for some of them to be shot after walking off my property onto the property behind me. This past year at some point during the rifle season I became quite disgusted and decided to take the next legal buck that did not have much potential that I saw. My kids and wife and I all hunt our land. I have only 60 acres of my own and rights to the 30 adjacent acres of woods as where the leaseholders behind me on this one particular lease have access to over 300 acres. They crowd my lines, they also bait when baiting is not legal. If my food plots can help and possibly keep a few younger deer on my side of our property, I can potentially pass up the younger deer with hopes that a few of them may elude those hunters or ah shooters behind us. Then there are those who are hunting land where they are not supposed to even be right next to that lease, they too crowd my lines. You see the land next to the one lease I referred to is being poached off of. I cannot prove it but there is a man I know of who says he has permission to hunt it, however the land records show that the land he is supposed to be hunting is a good ways from my property. So is it really selfish to try to hold deer. Situations are different, hunting styles are different, without fuly knowing situations it may be difficult to fully understand others hunting methods and reasoning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted March 5, 2006 Report Share Posted March 5, 2006 Re: should hunting over bait be legal? You're right. I shouldn't have indicated that selfishness is the only motive for people who bait and put in food plots. It certainly isn't. But I have heard enough on forums and other sources about food plot wars and baiting wars to realize that this kind of competitive atmosphere can blossom between neighbors even with the best of intentions. I think that the whole deal can turn from hunters competing against the deer to hunters competing against each other in a pretty quick fashion, and that is one thing that I don't believe has any place in hunting. I don't recall that attitude years ago when posted signs were a rare thing of curiosity and baiting and food plots were not even thought of. I can't recall anyone wishing they could draw all of their neighbors deer onto their own property so that they could have a crack at them instead of their neighbor. I'm not sure when that thought started to become prevalent, but now it seems to be almost a universal attitude among hunters. I'm just not all that certain that this kind of thinking is all that great for the sport. Not that there's a whole lot anyone can do about it since the whole world and the people in it are changing things and this is just one more change that is not likely to reverse. But I have to admit that it does make me a bit uncomfortable to see wildlife become a commodity that people can effectively hoard. Of course, a neighbor always has the option of getting involved in the competition and setting up an even bigger attractant. That sort of thing can go back and forth until somebody finally runs out of money or resources. Somehow, I never envisioned that sort of thing as any part of hunting, but I suppose that's just showing how naive I really am....lol. Doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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