Competing with big bait piles

Quote:
baiting is a simple principle and the last thing you want to do is make a big pile. Less is more with baiting. You're trying to get the deer to come in when you're in the tree. By choosing high quality bait and using a little bit of it, the deer are going to be constantly coming in and checking to see if its there (they'll get competitive about it) If there is a constant huge pile they'll get to it when they get to it, its always there. Look at whenever the new hot video game system comes out (when they're scarce), people are spending days in line and paying thousands for them on ebay and the like. But 3 months after the release (when they are plentiful and constantly there) no one is doing ridiculous behaviors

Posted: 16 Aug 2007 2:33 PM Last Edited By: 870
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You can compete with big bait piles because "size does not matter" Quality will beat quantity when it comes to baiting. If you provide deer with something that they like better they will come to you first. My neighbor keeps a huge pile of corn behind his house, so each afternoon I spread a small amount of corn that is mixed with different attractants like powdered apple or molasses. They always hit me first and usually don't get to his pile until after dark.

Posted: 16 Aug 2007 2:36 PM Last Edited By: Drop Tine
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My BIG trail cam bait sights are only big for a day or two then they're all gone anyway

Posted: 16 Aug 2007 2:49 PM
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Yes. You can compete! Offer a variety which you are already doing. Sometimes location matters even moreso. Meaning, perhaps your baiting location offers water nearby, good cover, escape routes, etc. All this will factor into a deer's choice of which bait to favor. Just because your neighbor offers more bait, doesn't mean yours cannot be preference #1.

Posted: 16 Aug 2007 3:01 PM
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I come across EVERY bait while running hounds & I hunt ALOT of different places LOL. The baits that are dumped are spoiled after a few rain & seem to be void of deer. Of apple piles even drive the raccoons out with the stink LOL. The active bait stations will have deer hanging off in the darkness.With our lights on bright we can pick their eyes. They are milling around waiting for us to pass so they can go right back to eating. __________________ http://rwrgamecalls.com/

Posted: 16 Aug 2007 3:23 PM
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There cleaning up every apple that hits the ground at several spots near here checking three to four times during the day. Thats the favorite at the moment but I dont know of any corn down either.

Posted: 16 Aug 2007 3:25 PM
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White Oak acorns beat ANYTHING other hunters put out. Get a bucket and start collecting. __________________ "To be unarmed and therefore helpless in the face of evil is irresponsible and in fact complicit to said evil. If you knowingly and intentionally go forward incapable of stopping evil, you assist in its progress. Only a person free to choose to protect himself is truly respecting God's gift of life." Ted Nugent

Posted: 17 Aug 2007 8:08 AM
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Quote: White Oak acorns beat ANYTHING other hunters put out. Get a bucket and start collecting. I had a professor in college that required every student to bring in a bag of 500 acorns. He claimed it was for a state forestry program.

Posted: 17 Aug 2007 8:20 AM
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Quote: White Oak acorns beat ANYTHING other hunters put out. Find the white oaks and you won't have to BAIT __________________ <- <- <- <- ~ <- <- <- <- I'd rather be working.........a Bird!

Posted: 17 Aug 2007 8:32 AM
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baiting is a simple principle and the last thing you want to do is make a big pile. Less is more with baiting. You're trying to get the deer to come in when you're in the tree. By choosing high quality bait and using a little bit of it, the deer are going to be constantly coming in and checking to see if its there (they'll get competitive about it) If there is a constant huge pile they'll get to it when they get to it, its always there. Look at whenever the new hot video game system comes out (when they're scarce), people are spending days in line and paying thousands for them on ebay and the like. But 3 months after the release (when they are plentiful and constantly there) no one is doing ridiculous behaviors __________________ Fat Cat Sportfishing ˙˙˙ssɐ ʎɯ ssıʞ uɐɔ plɹoʍ ǝloɥʍ ǝɥʇ os 'uʍop ǝpısdn ǝɯ ʎɹnq ʎǝɥʇ ǝdoɥ ı

Posted: 17 Aug 2007 9:22 AM
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Peanuts work as well. White acorns will out draw any deer over any bait so if your baiting anywhere and you have a good tree dropping white nuggets the deer will be there. Just look at any white oaks bearing and you'll see the tracks. Acorns so thick you can roller skate on them don't wander far from there. Stay right there they'll be back.

Posted: 17 Aug 2007 9:38 AM
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Quote: baiting is a simple principle and the last thing you want to do is make a big pile. Less is more with baiting. You're trying to get the deer to come in when you're in the tree. By choosing high quality bait and using a little bit of it, the deer are going to be constantly coming in and checking to see if its there (they'll get competitive about it) If there is a constant huge pile they'll get to it when they get to it, its always there. Look at whenever the new hot video game system comes out (when they're scarce), people are spending days in line and paying thousands for them on ebay and the like. But 3 months after the release (when they are plentiful and constantly there) no one is doing ridiculous behaviors Bill I personally found that this for me hasn't been true that no matter how much you put down doesn't matter when you have a heavy concentration of deer which I did. Not uncommen to have several family groups at the bait pile and one thing I never witnessed while I was there is any fighting or other deer pushing each other off. I went there now I bet if would be all tracked up and I hadn't been there since last fall. In conjuction with bait are 2 mineral wallows that will hold deer 12 months a year. They know because family groups have taught them where to go as they followed. In my opinion once you have established your area you get them to come feed they will return live a lamb to the slaughter. I've walked in on them and climbed the tree and they went off and watched me 50 yds. then walked right back into me on numbers of occasions. As like think about it was just a massacre but that was ok when I couldn't walk well. Now things are a little differant so not sure if I will go back to this? People say Oh to much bait is bad. Well thats true and untrue and all depends on the areas circumstances with your deer population I guess. A lot of deer will eat 300 pounds dropped on the ground in 2 to 3 days as well as the varmits in your area so that would hurt you. I guess if only a couple deer came into 300 pounds then it wouldn't be good and it would rot before they had a chance to eat it all. Large deer herds take to feed and thats what I do so I wouldn't really say i bait i guess then? Oh also bare in mind that in the fall when all is green they eat anywhere at any time and don't need to come to bait. when the leaves are off things change and they will eat at the pile more redilly then for sure. By then I'm done and had enough deer.

Posted: 17 Aug 2007 1:19 PM
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Corn is one of the deers favorite food .So, the amount of corn you leave will make a difference . Apples are also a good one . Peanut butter would be last .

Posted: 17 Aug 2007 1:27 PM
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No need to compete with large bait piles with other bait piles. All you have to do is find out where the deer are coming from and cut them off before they get there __________________ NJOA UBNJ NJSFSC RFA USSA NRA

Posted: 17 Aug 2007 1:34 PM
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Quote: cut them off before they get there You're not "cutting them off", you are hunting natural travel routes from bedding areas to feeding areas!

Posted: 17 Aug 2007 1:35 PM
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ms22 you are right .Plus you can save money that way!!!

Posted: 17 Aug 2007 1:38 PM
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But if you hunt public land the deer might wait until it gets dark. There is no need for them to rush to it . Too much corn is no -good either.

Posted: 17 Aug 2007 1:41 PM
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Quote: You're not "cutting them off", you are hunting natural travel routes from bedding areas to feeding areas! Thats my story and i am sticking to it __________________ NJOA UBNJ NJSFSC RFA USSA NRA

Posted: 17 Aug 2007 1:46 PM
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Quote: the deer might wait until it gets dark. That is one of the biggest problems with baiting. Deer will quickly become nocturnal if there is an abundance of bait combined with hunting pressure.

Posted: 17 Aug 2007 3:13 PM
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I started planting Tecomate seed around my stands a 15' by 15' patch. Its coming up real good.. I just want the deer to swing by me on there way somewhere else.

Posted: 12 Nov 2007 11:48 PM
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one way to deal with the competition is to eliminate the competition. hahaha

Posted: 13 Nov 2007 12:01 AM
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just hunt ur white oaks, mother natures bait is way better to hunt over. __________________ Just when ya think ya knew it all, ya find someone who does know it all