Guest elevenpointer64 Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 im just wondering what other hunters think about food plots?i myself do not agree with using them!i think its a form of baiting the deer!thats my oponion!some will agree and alot will disagree!!!id just like to get hunters opinionon this??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 This topic has come up here several times before, and has been a heated topic in the past. So long as it is legal where you are, I really do not have a problem with food plots or baiting, but food plots are a bit different in my opinion than baiting deer for several reasons. One there is no timer or limit to when deer or other wildlife can hit food plots. The food is there and available round the clock. Two most food plots are not so small that there is a guarantee that a deer will come to a certain spot unlike a bait pile. Three a food plot can offer nutrition to animals ongoing. That said, I utilize food plots, but do not and will not hunt over bait piles. Hunting bait piles is not legal here, and I would not hunt over bait even if it were. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zambo Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 In Minnesota it is very simple. Baiting is illegal, I won't bait, and I wouldn't hunt over them anyway. Food plots are legal, therefore it's an option just like using tree stands or decoys. This is just my opinon. If baiting is legal where you hunt, then it is your choice. Just follow the laws. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 No different than hunting a farm field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 No different than hunting a farm field. Yep, that is very true too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QDMAworks4me Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 No different than hunting a farm field. I agree 100% with this statement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhine16 Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 Food plots take alot of time and work also. You actually work for your benefit from them. Much different from bait piles in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 I don't feel it's baiting, then again, I don't have a problem with baiting if it's legal, and it's the way you choose to hunt. I will say, at least in my area, they are pretty non-effective. I've planted clover, corn, soybean, buck forage oats, and a few other things, and I can't honestly say I've seen too much of a difference in deer sightings on my little 3 acre patch. This past year I planted the most I've ever planted, and this year is the worst I've ever seen my property for sightings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohiobucks Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 I will say, at least in my area, they are pretty non-effective. I've planted clover, corn, soybean, buck forage oats, and a few other things, and I can't honestly say I've seen too much of a difference in deer sightings on my little 3 acre patch. This past year I planted the most I've ever planted, and this year is the worst I've ever seen my property for sightings. But you mentioned the deer are tearing it up, probably at night, correct? The deer are still there, just not as visible as before. It can't hurt things at all IMO. With all the agriculture around here, the deer will still go to corn and beans, I see it as just adding another menu item... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest yoders_hideaway Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 to me there is no difference hunting cornfields, beanfields, wheat, acorns, watering holes, etc. those deer are going from bedding to feeding and you are going to set up in between no matter what if its a foodplot or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dubie Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 Food plots , I think, Are no different then a farm field. It might bring deer in, but there is no way to make it predictable. As for baiting, I've never done it except for bear (illegal here. Food plots to, I believe, but its ok to hunt agricultural fields). However, I've seen a few places that baits may help spread things like Bovine TB and CWD, as such things are passed through saliva and body fluids. Bait, they say, artificialy concentraits feeding deer in a small area, making such transfers easier. How much of this is truth and how much is anti-bait propaganda, I don't know. All I know is I do just fine in situations without dedicated food plots or bait, so even if it were legal I probably wouldn't spend the money and time on them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michiganbowhunter_SQ2 Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 Like the others, I have no problem with someone doing something as long as it is legal. Everyone has their own way/style of hunting. I have baited almost every year except last year, and I seen more day this past season than any other year. But, for me, every piece of land I hunt is in an area where there is a ton of farm land. so food plots and baiting is pretty much pointless for me.and also, for me, when baiting, I have seen only doe's come to the bait, so i guess if you were looking to do some management and take out some doe's it could be used as an option, but after hunting last year without bait, and seeing the results, and how much of a challenge it is not knowing where the deer are going to go (rather than knowing they are going straight to the bait pile) i'll never bait again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 No different than hunting a farm field. agreed:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 But you mentioned the deer are tearing it up, probably at night, correct? The deer are still there, just not as visible as before. Yes, the evidence doesn't lie. Deer, rabbit, coon and 'possum tracks out there all the time. They are eating the oats at night, and every speck of corn I pick and put out there gets devoured within days. In my situation, I think my plots are just too close to the house, so the deer that are hitting it/them, are hitting it at night, which is OK for their nutrition I guess, but stinks when it comes to having deer in front of you during hunting hours. It can't hurt things at all IMO. With all the agriculture around here, the deer will still go to corn and beans, I see it as just adding another menu item... Only thing it hurts is my wallet. Then again, you know how I love to turn dirt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PotashRLS Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 No different than hunting a farm field. Me too!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What about apple trees, water holes & clear cuts? All are improvements that are manipulating deer. Sounds like a good poll question since there have been a number of other ones lately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 Me too!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What about apple trees, water holes & clear cuts? All are improvements that are manipulating deer. Sounds like a good poll question since there have been a number of other ones lately. Or oaks or locusts? Hunting mast crops or trails leading to them can pay off, they are food sources just like a food plot is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 I really don't have any problem with food plots. If somebody wants to invest thousands of dollars in the land, equipment, and time, that's probably more than I would be willing to do, but we still have the right to be as obsessive as we want within the limits of the law. Are they effective? ........... Well, anyone who watches any number of deer hunting videos and TV programs might notice that a lot of the people who make their living through entertaining us with their hunting generally are shown hunting at a food plot, or at a location that is related to a food plot. I don't think that is just coincidence. Direct baiting is another one of those things that can be ok or not depending on the style and conditions. I'm sure there are locations where the bait pile just sits there and rots. However, I have read articles about automatic timed feeders that have the local deer conditioned to come to the feeder just by virtue of the sound of the motor starting up. Somehow, that seems to be going just a bit far. Maybe if you were a farmer trying to protect his livelihood that would be appropriate, but anyone who holds their hunting to a little higher standard of achievement might have some different feelings about that. I understand that there are states or areas where baiting is the only practical way to hunt deer. Personally, I have not become that desperate yet, but then that is only my personal standards. Others have to figure that out for themselves, but occasionally get a bit of help from their state laws. Doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 Then again, you know how I love to turn dirt. :cool:quote] And doing it on an Oliver besides!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 I've hunted bear over bait (no success), so I can't say anything against anyone who hunts deer over bait. However, it's not legal where I'm from so I don't. I'm more of an advocate for making a clean quick kill (I sure try to anyway). If a legal bait or food plot brings in an animal close and at angle that presents an ethical shot then I have no argument. However, there is no doubt that I have more satisfaction knowing all my harvested deer were taken without bait or food plots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest elevenpointer64 Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 after all the coments on food plots i still disagree!!!!!!planting food that you khow deer are going to eat just is not fair hunting!thats my oponion.i guess its because of where i hunt[deep in the national forest]the deer i have taken are true mountain deer!!!not the farm raised ones! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest elevenpointer64 Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 i agree 100%flyerla!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest elevenpointer64 Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 I've hunted bear over bait (no success), so I can't say anything against anyone who hunts deer over bait. However, it's not legal where I'm from so I don't. I'm more of an advocate for making a clean quick kill (I sure try to anyway). If a legal bait or food plot brings in an animal close and at angle that presents an ethical shot then I have no argument. However, there is no doubt that I have more satisfaction knowing all my harvested deer were taken without bait or food plots. i agree 100% flyerla!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest CSRoth Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 Just like Ted Nugent said on one of his shows were somebody sent him a letter saying people should not hunt over bait or put in food plots. He said well if this was so then we should not hunt fields or acorns or watering holes and if you thought loaring them in with bait or food plots then what about bringing them in with scents or calling. I agree with doing whatever is legal that you have to do to bring the deer to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest elevenpointer64 Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 Just like Ted Nugent said on one of his shows were somebody sent him a letter saying people should not hunt over bait or put in food plots. He said well if this was so then we should not hunt fields or acorns or watering holes and if you thought loaring them in with bait or food plots then what about bringing them in with scents or calling. I agree with doing whatever is legal that you have to do to bring the deer to you. There is a big differece between trying to cover up your scent, and trying to call a deer in, which i think is a big money gimic, then siting over food that you know the deer are going to come to!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michiganbowhunter_SQ2 Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 then siting over food that you know the deer are going to come to!!!!!!!!!! Do you do any scouting? find out the deers "natural" food source? hunt near watering holes? bedding areas? set up on paths you have seen them take? use scents (attractant of some sort)? grunt or doe bleats or some type of call? Explain to me the difference to using any or all of these to your advantage, and hunting over a food plot. You are of course entitled to your opinion, just curious as to why they are "bad for hunting" (the title of the thread) as you say. BTW, a better name for this thread would have been "food plots, do you agree with them" cause you have yet to show how they are "Bad" for hunting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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