Guest elevenpointer64 Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 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 everything you talked about[scouting,natural food source,water,bedding areas,finding there travel areas,now i agree with you! ithink thats deer hunting! see thats my problem with food plots,you plant,it grows,the deer move in, then you hunt.its taken the hunt out of hunting!!! thats why i posted it like i did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elkoholic Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 I have mentioned this before, but let me say it again, it is all in the intention. I do not think farmers plant a crop with the intention of luring deer in to shoot, and I am very sure that they would rather the deer did not eat their crops. Most food plots planted with the intent to hunt over them are strategically place and shaped to provide optimum shooting opportunities and they are planted with food sources designed to attract deer. No-one planting a food plot to hunt over would plant in the open between a farmer's crop fields and with the same thing that is planted in the fields. Tilling up a spot in the middle of a large forested area and planting it with clover/alfalfa with the intent of hunting over it, is, in my opinion, baiting. Fair chase? Now, that is stretching it. As for calling and the use of scents, the animal is not being "trained" to come to a particular area with the expectation of receiving a reward. Food plots require time and money, I know because I have several (do not hunt anywhere near them) and if you have seen some of the pictures I have posted, they attract deer, but they are in no way part of a hunt nor is sitting over one anything more than just shooting if the opportunity should present itself. Let's be realistic, you can fill the freezer with venison and the wall with antlers and still have not really hunted. We all enjoy the outdoors in somewhat different ways and as long as we stay within the laws in our respective areas then let's have at it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michiganbowhunter_SQ2 Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 everything you talked about[scouting,natural food source,water,bedding areas,finding there travel areas,now i agree with you! i think thats deer hunting! see thats my problem with food plots,you plant,it grows,the deer move in, then you hunt.its taken the hunt out of hunting!!! thats why i posted it like i did. So you pretty much disagree because it is man made, but yet you'll hunt over the others mentioned even though(like a food plot) you "know" that they'll come to them?...again, explain to me how that is different? you still have to scout, set up your stand in the right spot, and still there is no guarantee IMO that they will show up, no matter if it is man made or "natural". The intentions of planting a food plot is to mainly hunt over or around it right? The intentions of finding a food source or water source, path, bedding area are to hunt over or around it right? yes, you have to find those rather than planting them there...but how many people have a spot or several spots they have hunted for years because it produces deer for them year after year?(aka a honey hole:D) would you not call that "hunting" either, since they "know" the deer are are going to come to that spot?? Again, your opinion is your opinion. You can ignore my post if ya want. I really don't care about the subject...I'm just bored :D:D:p BTW, Welcome to the forums! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indianaboy Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 In my opinion they are not much different then hunting a ag. field of some sort. They are very good for wildlife as well. Like said many times if it is legal in your area then it is fine. I on the other hand do not agree with baiting but if its legal for you and you feel like doing it then by all means do it. Hunting is for the most part all baiting. If someone considers hunting ag fields baiting then all trails leading to the fields are some what bait as well. IMO. Baiting to me is putting something out for the soul purpose of attracting game to kill them. I honestly do not hunt my plots because they are small but they are for better nutrition and helping the deer out in the late winter when food is scarce not hunting. Plus the more food and the better food you can provide it holds more deer on your property. I also want to add wheather you hunt over bait or use natural food or cover we all know a whitetail is not easy to hunt no matter what you do. When this topic comes up I have to wonder if it isnt all in jealousy because there neighbors have food plots and better habitat and all of there deer have let there property. Hunting is a money game for the most part unfortanely. You either have to accept it or spend money and try to better you property the best you can. Its not going to change and it is only going to get worse. JMHO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasDeerHunter Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 No different than hunting a farm field. I agree with this, but it is up to each hunter to decide where he or she draws the line as long as it's legal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 When this topic comes up I have to wonder if it isnt all in jealousy because there neighbors have food plots and better habitat and all of there deer have let there property. Now there is the one aspect of food plots that may not be so great for hunting in general. If the food plots are intended to draw the deer off of a neighbor's property and on to your own, that sounds like some pretty selfish motivation. Sounds like "herd hoarding" to me (I just made that term up....lol). I would not want to see food plot wars start up between hunting neighbors because of these kinds of negative motivations. That really is not the way the hunting fraternity should be acting toward each other and really displays the more base aspects of hunter behavior. It does seem that hunting has moved more toward hunters competing against hunters rather than competing against the deer. I really don't think that is a very healthy trend when it comes to the future of hunting. Doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Finn Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 Oh boy....here we go again. Another guy who thinks he's the only person who hunts the right way and everyone else should change to match him. How about you support others who legally hunt in their state and not try make your opinion the only one that's right? If you can't do that, I offer you the opportunity to find another website to stir this pot on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrud Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 I have no problem with food plots. They aren't really any different than agriculture fields. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 This reminds me of a crossbow thread that just got locked. Man, the no hunting blues are hitting early this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest elevenpointer64 Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 Oh boy....here we go again. Another guy who thinks he's the only person who hunts the right way and everyone else should change to match him. How about you support others who legally hunt in their state and not try make your opinion the only one that's right? If you can't do that, I offer you the opportunity to find another website to stir this pot on. i support the way any one hunts! all i was doing was asking what other hunters thought about the subject!i didnt try to make my oponion the right one,i expressed how i felt on the subject and i got feedback on how others felt.ill hunt like i want and you can hunt as you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tatonka Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 If food plots didn't give hunters an advantage, they wouldn't be planting them. If they are no different than any other agricultural field, then why plant them in the first place? They are different. They are used to provide a year round, high quality food source so that bucks will hopefully grow larger racks. They are strategically planted in locations that will hopefully attract deer away from neighboring properties and hold them on the landowners property. Hunting over a small food plant that is strategically located for optimum hunting opportunities is very different from trying to hunt a 300 acre corn field in Iowa. These are some of the things that make them different. Having said that, if you enjoy hunting over food plots that's your business....not mine or anyone elses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig mack Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 Anyone have that picture of someone beating a dead horse? Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 Anyone have that picture of someone beating a dead horse? Lol Here you go Craig: http://www.realtree.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62635 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Finn Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 Anyone have that picture of someone beating a dead horse? Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jorden Posted February 10, 2008 Report Share Posted February 10, 2008 I personally have never had success with either food plots or baiting, the deer are too nocturnal by me, so it doesnt even matter. I use food plots as a form of nutrition first and attraction second. IMHO food plots are no different then ag fields, acorns, or watering holes. You know the deer are going to come to them so by saying that food plots are unfair, you are saying that hunting over all food sources are unfair, man-made or natural. As long as its legal I have no beef with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted February 10, 2008 Report Share Posted February 10, 2008 No different than hunting a corn-field, grain-field, Orchard, etc, etc. The only difference is that a food plot, is a substantially healthier food for the deer herd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michiganbowhunter_SQ2 Posted February 10, 2008 Report Share Posted February 10, 2008 I bet that somewhere there is a guy who drives a foreign truck , hunts with a crossbow over a food plot or bait, and only shoots button bucks :D:D It's getting to the point where all of these types of threads are more entertaining than controversial :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted February 10, 2008 Report Share Posted February 10, 2008 You got a problem with me? I bet that somewhere there is a guy who drives a foreign truck , hunts with a crossbow over a food plot or bait, and only shoots button bucks :D:D It's getting to the point where all of these types of threads are more entertaining than controversial :D Hey Michiganbowhunter, are you making fun of the way I hunt? Of course I only shoot buttons if they got spots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FSU_Seminole Posted February 10, 2008 Report Share Posted February 10, 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??? I would be willing to bet you 1,000$ most farmers across the USA would disagree with people like you. Food plots are wonderful tools to help ALL wildlife & they do in fact ease some of the pressure of deer eating farm crops. By the way, I see alot of guys on this site & on TV drool when they talk about the state of Iowa. Guess what? Iowa is nothing but a GIANT FOOD PLOT. Its miles and miles of corn fields & alfalfa in the fall winter and spring. In the summer its soybean fields as far as the eye can see. Hunters are either hunting right on top of these fields or hunting trails leading to them. What's the difference? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted February 10, 2008 Report Share Posted February 10, 2008 No different than hunting a corn-field, grain-field, Orchard, etc, etc. The only difference is that a food plot, is a substantially healthier food for the deer herd. My sentiments exactly. I was going to stay out of this one (like I did on the crossbow thread) but time to let my true feelings loose. Now are they good or bad for hunting. Well at least down here they are good for meeting our doe quota. That's good overall for the deer herd. Our DMAP biologist wants us to kill at least 40 does each year. This year we missed our doe quota and only killed 37 does on our hunting club. Some off of food plots as well as in the woods. Now as for hunting mature bucks...they aren't good for that down here. You're a lot better off hunting mature bucks in cover, preferably with an edge, a funnel, or both. That's why I spend the vast majority of my hunting time hunting some sort of cover. Both of the mature bucks I killed this past season were in cover. So was the one I missed. Matter of fact all 3 of the does I killed this past season were in cover too; however 2 of those does were feeding on acorns. I knew deer would more than likely show up during legal shooting hours at those particular mast producing spots, especially since they were within security cover. I honestly don't recall any of the mature bucks killed on our club this year coming off of food plots. It sounds like you have little or no experience with food plots so you assume (from TV shows or whatever) food plots are an automatic daylight draw for deer, including mature bucks for the killing. I can assure you they are not!! Food plots are great for the overall health of the deer herd, especially right now when that's about all that is left out there for them to eat. They are primarily used at night. Out of 20 trail cam sets on food plots (out of my 49 sets this past year) I didn't have a single picture of a mature buck in a food plot during legal shooting hours. Mature bucks only showed up in our food plots at night. Matter of fact probably close to 95% of all the deer pictures I got on food plots were at night. With food plots, no crops around and very little natural food for the deer between mid January and spring green up down here the deer are apt to be a lot healthier come spring with food plots than without them. Then we'll plant our summer food plots. In no way whatsoever can summer food plots be considered a lure to pull deer in for a hunter. They are planted specifically to provide that much more quality nutrition for the deer during the antler growing and fawning periods of the year. Of course they are also utilized by other wildlife but we'll leave that issue alone here. It really rubs me wrong when I think about how I'm out there busting my butt, especially planting summer food plots and there are people in the hunting community that want to criticize me for it. (Here's where I'd like to put that smirk face we used to have.) No offense but the problem I see with your position on food plots is you want to look at only one aspect of what you think they are for. Maybe you ought to look at the forest instead of just a tree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Is a new hay field full of alfalpha considered to be a food plot. If it is I'm guilty. I didn't finish reading all the posts, but I'm not against food plots. - Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogdoc Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 food plots also take the pressure off the natural vegetation/habitat thus improving the entire land and increasing the carrying capacity of the land--this is of course dependant on the size of the food plots for that given piece of property. I plant 3 different "types" of food plots. Perennials which will provided nutrition year round, warm season--which will provide high protein during the antler/fawning period. Cool season which helps during the stress of cold and rut. Sure--I hunt over the food plots but you must realize that the deer and other wildlife are benefiting from the food planted. I've killed many deer before I started planting food plots but it sure is more fun seeing my property hold more deer and seeing healthy deer. My antler inches have dramatically increased since I started planting and it is rare now to see a doe with a single fawn. There is no agriculture in my area so the deer really enjoy the high quality nutrition and the deer herd is benefiting from my hard work. Trust me I still do my scouting and yes--90% of the food plot usage is during night time hours--at least according to my scouting cameras. todd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tatonka Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Another thing that makes food plots different from hunting agricultural fields is that the person(s) planting the food plot have total control over the hunting of the food plot.. With an agricultural field, the landowner may (or or may not) let many friends, neighbors, etc. hunt his land. I doubt if many people who put in the time and money to plant a food plot are going to let the neighbors come and hunt. Food plots are planted so the person doing the planting can shoot bigger bucks and hold deer on his/her property. Agricultural fields are planted so the landowner can make a profit off of the crop. Thus, Food plots more closely resemble killing deer over bait than killing deer in agricultural areas. I really don't care if people kill deer over bait, over food plots, or whatever. As stated earlier, if it's legal and you enjoy it why should I (or anyone else) care? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 It sounds like you have little or no experience with food plots so you assume (from TV shows or whatever) food plots are an automatic daylight draw for deer, including mature bucks for the killing. So, what are those funny looking animals with all that boney stuff sticking out of their heads called that I see wandering around in broad daylight in those food plots on those TV hunting shows and hunting magazines? I'm sure that all food plots are not created equal, and many of them will have no real hunting value at all. But, let's face it, there are also a lot of them that are put in specifically for direct hunting purposes and when done right and in the right places, obviously are quite effective. I'm not saying that that is right or wrong, good or bad, but let's not deny that food plots can often work for hunting and in fact can often be the sole reason for putting them in in the first place. I don't understand why people need to justify them to anyone. It's your property, time, money and effort. As long as you are not breaking any laws, do what you feel you gotta do and enjoy. As long as you are not hurting anyone else's hunting, what's the harm? Doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PotashRLS Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Oh boy....here we go again. Another guy who thinks he's the only person who hunts the right way and everyone else should change to match him. How about you support others who legally hunt in their state and not try make your opinion the only one that's right? If you can't do that, I offer you the opportunity to find another website to stir this pot on. I agree. Finn, what do you think? Price County Wisconsin would certainly be considered "Big Woods" and you don't seem to agree. I don't think you consider agriculture or food plots unethical or an unfair advantage do you? Would a newer clear-cut full of tender browse be unfair in the National Forest? If Agriculture is not ethical or "right", then nearly all of us in the Midwest may as well just hang it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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