Baiting for deer

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Countryside : One Thread

Bow season is very close. 2 more weeks. I bought a bag of "sweet feed" this morning, hope to go set some of it out sometime this weekend. I have started doing this every year and it has increased my chances of bagging deer very much. I don't shoot any deer directly over the baited site, but I set up on one of many trails leading to the bait site. I catch them either coming from or going to the baited area. I hope to put at least a couple of deer in the freezer, especially since there is no telling what kind of year we're going to have with the bombing, stockmarket down, layoffs, etc. It maybe hard to find money to buy at the grocery stores this coming winter. I'm going to be doing a lot of squirrel hunting also.

-- r.h. in okla. (rhays@sstelco.com), September 15, 2001

Answers

If your state has such a program, this year consider bagging an extra one and donating it to a food drive-type program. Here in TN you can take an extra deer into a processing plant and they will give the meat to a needy family for their cost of processing.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), September 15, 2001.

Baiting for DEER, including for the purpose of inflencing thier line of travel; is ILLEGAL in all states that have a deer population as far as I know. Other than that your plan is sound.

-- Ed Copp (OH) (edcopp@yahoo.com), September 15, 2001.

Here in AR baiting deer is NOT illegal. You can put out salt blocks, grain even grow crops to lure deer. We cant bait bear or turkey tho. Each state's game and fish has different rules. I believe that as long as you can eat all the meat you kill this an ethical practice.

-- Kellie Duncan (kashaa@swbell.net), September 15, 2001.

Here in the low country of SC we can bait deer,,,thae man with the biggest corn pile WINS! Use corn on the cob, is much easier to handle, deer love it! Your sweet feed will dissovle and meal worms can breed in it, whole corn is much better. BTW we have no limit on bucks in this county, and can kill 24 does on the 12 doe days, plus rifle season runs from Sept1 thri Jan 1. ddt

-- ddt (troubled@ftci.net), September 15, 2001.

Well, if my garden is any indication, pumpkins are the preferred delectable of northern whitetails. However, I would much rather have 100 lbs of squirrels than 200 lbs of venison. If there is a better meat than squirel, somehow God has neglected to tell me about it! GL.

-- Brad (homefixer@SacoRiver.net), September 15, 2001.


Ken S. We have a donating program also here in Okla. but the last time I checked into it, you who donate, has to pay for the processing fee. The last time I checked it cost about $75.00 to have one processed. Too high for me, thats why I process my own.

Ed. Copp It is legal here in Okla. just that it is considered unethical. I don't feel it is any more unethical than the game rangers who plant food crops on game resevoirs. Or any unethical than finding a bunch of fallin acorns and hunting over them.

ddt. I have a small covered feed bin that I halled out into the woods. I usually only place about 15 to 25# at a time in it. Once they realize it is there they can eat a whole 50# bag in one night if I let them. But I give them just enough to keep checking back.

Brad I almost agree with you. Squirrels is one of my favorite and even my children can't wait to have their next bowl of dumplins. I think that I may even enjoy hunting them more. There has been many a time that I would be setting in my treestand wishing I had brought my 22 rifle instead of the bow.

-- r.h. in okla. (rhays@sstelco.com), September 15, 2001.


We just got a deer hanging in the tree a few minutes ago. Steve hasn't even gone out yet. A friend called and asked if we wanted it and we said sure. Steve has lots of work to do early in the morning. Steve went out in the pasture today and put up his fort so the deer will be used to it.

-- Cindy in KY (solidrockranch@msn.com), September 15, 2001.

Baiting is definitely a no-no here in Ontario. I recently saw a show on t.v. about rattling antlers to draw in the bucks. I have a couple big antlers I've picked up over the years, plan to find a SAFE place, and try this out (somewhere an angry buck can't reach me, back of truck, up in a deer stand, etc.) I'm not out to kill a deer, just to shoot one--with a camera.

-- Chelsea (rmbehr@istar.ca), September 16, 2001.

Chelsea, watch out for the city sound hunters.

-- Joe (CactusJoe001@AOL.com), September 16, 2001.

To Cindy in Kentucky That is called a blind .A fort is a blind that you hide in to shoot revenuers ( spelling )Big George

-- George Wilson (cwwhtw@aol.com), September 16, 2001.


In Texas, baiting deer is NOT illegal, though it ought to be. I remember a time when hunting deer took some skill, quick gun handling and a little luck. Nowadays, I see a bunch of guys just piling corn on the senderos, putting feeders 80 - 100 yards from their blinds, and waiting for the deer of their choice to shoot. Not HUNTING them, basically harvesting. I will teach my children more basic hunting skills; stalking, reading the land and taking an effective stand. I wasn't much of a success, but I enjoy my venison more when I earn it. My apologies to those feeling otherwise.

Quick aside: Texas Parks and Wildlife reported in a recent issue that some corn supplies have a disease this year which poisons them. They caution that only buy deer corn is LABELED bags, which apparently has been treated. I think it was last month's issue (I was in a doctor's office when I read this and WON'T go back to verify issue number). Anyone heard about this? Or was I totally off base (strong cough medicine)?

-- j. r.guerra (jrguerra@boultinghousesimpson.com), September 17, 2001.


Aflatoxin poisoning can be a problem every year. Texas law requires that the amount of aflatoxin be stated on the label unless it is less than a certain percentage (can't remember what that is off the top of my head). TP&W did a survey a couple of years ago and found that a lot of brands of corn had toxin levels well in excess of that percentage, even though it wasn't stated on the label as required by law, hence the suggestion that you only buy feed that has the toxin level stated on the label.

-- Steve - TX (steve.beckman@compaq.com), September 17, 2001.

Thanks for the answer Steve . . . I was wondering if what I read was correct.

-- j.r. guerra (jrguerra@boultinghousesimpson.com), September 18, 2001.

Moderation questions? read the FAQ