A: Pretty much everyone. 98% on NJ hunters.

 

i stop baiting right about this time of the year and get on rub lines, creeks, field edges , etc for bucks...

i keep a bait spot for the camera, but usually hunt other spots the good, fun, old way

 

When I was a kid growing up hunting in PA - I could not believe the bucks (multiple) that guys were shooting in NJ. Then I found out about feeding them... building trust... giving them names... and then shooting them after waiting 10 minutes after shaking the corn bucket.

Then I knew how they did it.

Disclaimer - I have shot deer over bait in the past.

 

I don't use tree stands........
I hunt funnels and natural food I do use rattling and decoys I stalk a lot and use
scents

 

down here in n.c. we kill a bunch of deer over bait all season. and some are nice deer. it gets a little tougher in december but being patient pays off

 

most BIG deer are not taken over bait. it will sometimes turn them nockturnal. you cant keep going in the woods to put bait out and think deer dont know your there

 

A: Pretty much everyone. 98% on NJ hunters.

Glad I'm part of the 2%.

 

im in the 2 percent also..since i stopped baiting 2 yrs ago i have seen bigger bucks...i will bait jan and feb for does if i need the meat. and the way its looking so far i'll need the meat

 

Glad I'm part of the 2%.

im in the 2 percent also

x2[up]

 

Cold crisp morning... a couple of does are heading my way... about 200 yards out. Excellent chance they'll walk down along the deer trail leading to a nice thick area in the sun. Oh wait, they abruptly turn 90 degrees and make a bead for a rock pile? Why would they do that? Find out - elephant corn pile.

So now i gotta hunt people, not nature by setting up above the pile along a trail. But most likely I'll go find another area.

 

Glad I'm part of the 2%.

x3[up]

 

new style hunting, scout for bait piles, then set up about 100 yards up the trail [rofl]

 

X4

I was going to start a Battle of the Bait Pile photo contest, but the season showed up before I could finalize details. Maybe next year. Anyone want to sponsor prizes? [eyeroll]

 

I think bait is better in Winter Bow, late season... When it's really cold out. Lots of snow. When they are really hungry those big guys will sometimes show up a little before dark.

 

yes big bucks are still hitting bait on our properties in nj and maryland. yes big bucks are getting killed over bait. i posted an 11pt last week that my friend tom shot that i videod and helped recover. the buck was standing over a big log about to eat and apple when toms arrow met its mark and drove through his lungs.
you can often kill bucks without bait easier this time of year by hunting where do primary travel routes and buck travel routes intercect and staging areas.

 

just missed a giant 8 over bait tonight [wallmad]

 

Where is 35whelan when we need him?

 

Pretty soon they'll be bait pile permits - $12

 

When I was a kid growing up hunting in PA - I could not believe the bucks (multiple) that guys were shooting in NJ. Then I found out about feeding them... building trust... giving them names... and then shooting them after waiting 10 minutes after shaking the corn bucket.

Oh stop it. They didnt even allow baiting in NJ when you where a kid!! Lol

 

I am older than I look! Lol

Bottom line - baiting is gay.

 

I think it depends on where you hunt. Last 3 years I hunted in Colliers Mills and it's tough to SEE a deer without bait. This year I'm hunting on private property in zone 10, NO bait and lots of deer.

 

Frankly, I am surprised the antis have not caught on to it's use. It would totally work in their favor to sway the non- hunting public. It's the truth.

 

Bottom line - baiting is gay

Theres some merit in that.

 

ive used bait in many spots but noticed after september the mature bucks hit bait at night, maybe im just in a bad spot? i gave up sitting over bait for bucks and now sit between the bait and bedding areas, seems to work alot better

 

If you sit in your stand long enough during the rut ,you will see the mature bucks checking bait piles for does!! That is happening on private and public land!!