Dumping Corn on the ground.....

[toddyboman]

NO lets not start a debate on baiting......but rather I would like to know which states allow you to dump corn on the ground during hunting season.

I have noticed on tv and several internet sites where people have there trail cameras set up over piles of corn.....

Which is a great way to get pictures......I do this in the winter after season closes but during season is a big NO NO in Missouri.....Or at least from my interpretation of the law...

Missouri states this:

Deer may not be taken with the use of dogs, bait, electronic calls, electronically activated calls or live decoys. Scents and minerals, including salt, are not considered bait, however, mineral blocks with food additives are prohibited. An area is considered baited for 10 days even after complete removal of the bait. It is illegal to place bait in a way that causes others to be in violation of the baiting rule.

[Ethan Givan]

We can dump corn on the ground during season and hunt over it here in KY. I put it out for cameras like you mentioned.

I really wish they would change it to where you can not bait during season. So many people run out now and dump hundreds of pounds of corn on the ground through out the season and massacre the does. The sad truth is most people around here couldnt kill a deer without a corn pile.

[Jeramie]

Legal in Okieland....

[wtnhunt]

but during season is a big NO NO in Missouri

Big NO NO here too Todd, but people do it all over. Heck, the local wal marts stock their "deer corn" all through the season. Sporting goods manager there even told me he had a hard time keeping it stocked, shaking his head while saying it.

Law here says any bait must be removed 10 days prior to hunting that area. Some of these new attractants, some may question whether they work or not, but those like cmere deer, acorn rage, and likewise fit this laws criteria for bait. The way I understand our regs those fall under what is considered to be bait, but again gander mountain and the local wal mart shelves always have that stuff prior to season and on into season.

I have in the past used corn at cams(primarily the cam at our mineral site) outside of seasons, but got tired of feeding the raccoons. We get just as many if not more pics at our mineral site without any corn there.

[TN Bucknasty]

You aren't supposed to in TN, but that law is a GIANT joke. My best friend runs the Co-op and he has shown me how corn sales increase by over 12 times the amount during November, and I can tell you that there is barely any livestock in this county. I use corn at some camera sites year-round, but I don't hunt those sites. Most are on the edge of huge beds. From what I've seen, the situation is exactly the same in Mississippi.

I have experience with Kansas and Texas and both allow baiting. It is a HUGE deal in Texas. EVERY place I've been in Texas strewed corn by the ton.

[Ohiobucks]

Corn on the ground is fine here in Ohio.

So is a corn / apples / Acorn Rage / Deer Cane / C'Mere Deer / molasses / Tink's combo......if you feel so inclined.

[rhine16]

No corn on ground here... Its complicated, but in short: Feed must be in a feeder(something containing it) and hunters must be at least 100 yards away and not be in sight of the feeder. Also must be 100 yards from a property line. Feed must be at least 15% protein in October and November, Corn is legal in December and January.

[Stickslinger]

Legal in the state of Maryland on private ground only.

Rodney

[ruttinbuc]

Legal here. It becomes a battle of the bait piles in a lot of public ground.

he sad truth is most people around here couldnt kill a deer without a corn pile.

The truth here too Ethan.

[Flintlock1776]

From the DNR handbook:

Baiting is allowed for deer hunting. Hunters may hunt for deer while in a tree, on the ground or in a structure and from any height and any distance from the bait pile. Hunters should check with the landowner or administrative agency before placing bait on their hunting area as baiting is not allowed on properties such as national wildlife refuges.

Additionally the DNR also provides this guidance:

Feeding Deer in Winter

Each winter, the Division of Fish and Wildlife receives numerous inquiries regarding the feeding of deer and other wildlife. Although everyone wants to help wild animals through the seemingly difficult time of year, New Jerseyans should be reminded that deer are wild animals and have adapted to cope to the sometimes harsh winter weather, including deep snow, cold temperatures and high winds. Deer adapt physiologically as well as behaviorally to the changes of season. In the fall, subcutaneous fat is deposited, and the reddish summer coat is molted for a highly-insulative winter coat. The metabolism of the deer usually decreases during the colder months. To conserve energy, deer limit their feeding to the warmer daylight hours and in general, become less active, particularly during periods of bad weather. Deer may remain bedded down for long periods of time in areas of dense cover without harmful effects.

The Division of Fish and Wildlife strongly encourages New Jerseyans to avoid feeding wildlife during the winter period and throughout the year. Under most conditions winter feeding is of no value in maintaining deer populations during the winter stress period and may be detrimental to both deer and their habitat. Winter feeding concentrates animals, but provides only a portion of their nutritional requirements. The result is increased browsing on preferred native food plants causing a reduction in these food sources and an increased feeding on less nutritious foods. Continued feeding often results in the deterioration of deer range.

Winter deer losses are sometimes increased through feeding by concentrating the animals in a smaller portion of their range than normal. Thus, competition for available food becomes more intense. Fawns may be rebuffed by the strong, more dominant adult animals, and be unable to obtain enough food for maintenance. If food is distributed, it must be spread out over large areas, to allow all of the deer in the herd to feed.

Deer are only able to digest food through a mutually beneficial relationship with the microorganisms in the rumen-reticulem compartment of the stomach. Rapid changes in diet can produce digestive disruptions resulting in death, because the microorganisms are not able to adapt to a sudden change in diet. It is important not to introduce a new food in large quantities to deer. Readily fermentable foods, consumed in large quantity, without adequate microbial adaptation, may result in rumenitis. Emergency feeding often begins too late and fails to prevent deer mortality. The condition of the deer going into the winter is the major factor in determining its ability to survive the winter.

It is highly unlikely that winter conditions in New Jersey will ever be severe enough to warrant supplemental deer feeding. During short-term emergency situations, supplemental feeding may be justified on a limited basis. In the rare instances, when supplemental feeding is authorized, native natural food plants are to be used where possible. Through cutting, the amount of available browse can be increased for a limited period of time. Even in the northern states, where deep snow and low temperatures are common, feeding is strongly discouraged. Winter feeding, other than in a strictly emergency situation, treats a symptom not the cause of a problem. It aggravates a problem which can only be solved through the maintenance of deer population densities in balance with available natural food sources and winter habitat.

Edited October 29, 2010 by Flintlock1776

[HUNTINGMAN]

I put corn out every now and then,just to get the deer comeing and hanging out on the farm more. I used whole ears of corn last year and it was alot better than shelled corn,the darn turkeys couldn't eat it all up. I don't hunt over it much but my dad does,he has no legs and can't get to as many good places off the road so I put it out to make him getting a deer easier.

[Orion_70]

IN Fl. it has to be from a feeder maintained 6 months before hunting in proximity

[toddyboman]

Thanks for the input everyone!!

I was just curious!

[Dawg]

Legal in Texas on private land.

[Mach1]

This is what we have as regs in IL. The basic premise: Food plots are ok, grain dispersed by natural farming or environmental methods is ok, and baiting of any kind is not.

It is unlawful to make available food, salt, mineral blocks or other products for ingestion by wild deer or other wildlife in areas where wild deer are present.

Except:

 elevated bird/squirrel feeders providing seed, grain, fruit, worms, or suet for birds or squirrels located within 100 feet of a dwelling devoted to human occupancy.

 incidental feeding of wildlife within active livestock operations.

 feeding of wild animals, other than wild deer, by hand as long as a reasonable attempt is made to clean up unconsumed food.

 feeders for wildlife other than deer so long as deer are excluded from the feed in and around the feeder by fencing or other barriers.

 standing crops planted and left standing as food plots for wildlife.

 grain or other feed scattered or distributed solely as a result of normal agricultural, gardening, or soil stabilization practices.

 standing, flooded, or manipulated natural vegetation or food/seed deposited by natural vegetation.

 grain or other feed distributed or scattered solely as the result of manipulation of an agricultural crop or other feed on the land where grown, for purposes of dove hunting.

 food material placed for capturing or killing wildlife pursuant to 520 ILCS 5/2.37, 2.30, and 1.3.

 scientific permits issued pursuant to 17 Ill. Adm. Code 520 that allow food to attract wildlife.

 any other permits issued by the Department of Natural Resources that require the attraction of wildlife for purposes of management, research or control.

 Violation of the provisions of this part is a Petty Offense with a maximum fine of $1,000.

Hunting Deer Over Salt or Bait

It is unlawful to take deer by using salt or other kind of bait. NOTE: An area is considered as baited during the presence of and for 10 consecutive days following the removal of bait. It is unlawful to feed deer at any time, even when not hunting (see page 10-11).

[pruts]

We are not allowed to bait in Ontario either, but sents are ok

[Rhino]

It's illegal to throw corn on the ground here at anytime unless you have a special permit to put it on the ground in front of a trail cam. I think those permits are only good for 3 weeks, then you must apply for another one. It is legal to use covered broadcast type feeders to throw corn before the season opens too. It is also legal to use broadcast type feeders to throw corn after Dec. 15th as long as it is at least 100 yards away from a stand and it is not within sight of a stand. From Oct. 1st through Dec. 15th it's legal to feed protein from a covered feeder but it must also be at least 100 yards away from a stand and not within sight of a stand.

[DropTine49]

South Carolina is very odd, lower part of the state you can bait how ever you want too, as well as hunt with dogs. Upper part of the state, minerals are ok, anything else is illegal. On a side note their gun season starts a month before our bow season does as well.

[need2hunt]

Not legal in Illinois. I beleive it's legal in TX and ND

[ruttinbuc]

Not legal in Illinois. I beleive it's legal in TX and ND

Speaking of North Dakota.

Here is some food for thought. Take the time to watch this video to see what The North Dakota Fish and Game issues are with baiting with both the deer and the hunters.

http://gf.nd.gov/multimedia/pubs/videos/bg-bait.wmv

[JimT]

Illegal here in Maine. I just got back from a week long hunt in NC. My guide uses corn, but only one of the three deer I got was shot over the corn. Was there with two other guys. We killed seven deer total, and my doe was the only one shot over corn. Kinda gave me a different outlook on it. Far from a shoe in...

[huntnfish]

Legal in NC, not legal in GA.

[msman825]

I think it should be legal everywhere. not much diffrence that sitting over a corn field, plus here in Maine where you only get 1 buck tag it would hurry up and get a lot of (so called) hunters out the way

[ruttinbuc]

not much diffrence that sitting over a corn field]

hunter.....deer

bait pile= x

hunter.............................................................................deer

cornfield= xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

A ton of difference realy;)

[msman825]

hunter.....deer

bait pile= x

hunter.............................................................................deer

cornfield= xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

A ton of difference realy;)

I know its diffrent but still there coming to food. I get my kicks on finding a mature deer and hunting him the ole fashion way. I feed deer 365 days a year at home, but i drive 8 miles and walk 20-30 minutes in the swamp to where i hunt the most.