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Honest question for you deer hunters

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Airdale

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Why do so many people bait? And hunt over bait? Is it just because it's legal?

I find bait piles all over the damn woods. I was talking to my cousin today and he asked how I was making out, I said nothing yet. Having trouble pinning down where they're moving and what time of day, but I'm getting closer. Seeing more and more deer and I'm getting closer to them. Could of had a 40yd shot at a Doe last night but passed. Wanted a closer shot. So he told me I need to bait. And I refuse to bait. I don't know exactly why, maybe it's a pain in the ass or maybe I'd rather just kill a deer by way of good observation and scouting. Or should I just bait LOL?
 
#2 ·
"Why do so many people bait? And hunt over bait? Is it just because it's legal?" I think it's the same reason many use worms while fishing they may not be into using flys or spinners and on average not all the time but on average it works and if one has a small spot to hunt with not many options for other methods baiting may just be the way to go.
 
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#5 ·
Baiting deer can in the right spot, condition the weaker/dumber of the species to pattern themselves to the bait, in as little as 24 hours. Over time, with varying degrees of human hunting pressure - it could even lure older/wiser of the species.... It's just another variable that wild critters get tossed at them. It's like an "instant food plot" in the big scheme of things. There is little difference if you till, spray, fertilize, plant, maintain a wonderfull 1 acre plot of brassicas in the fall, or take that same acre and scatter 50 lb bags of corn around it ever day/or every other day... Both will draw the deer. Both legal - you decide to either, or neither. It really doesn't matter.

Keep in mind - you can own or lease 1000 acres and do nothing to improve the food quality. A hunter can access 5 acres bordering your piece, and bait the hell out of it, and do far better than you will ever do and invest far less of his time..

That the fact Jack - it's legal, nothing you can do about it. Conform or be cast out.... (sorry but that's NJ hunting). Its not worth getting upset over it - trust me.
 
#12 ·
Airdale said:
Why do so many people bait? And hunt over bait? Is it just because it's legal?

I find bait piles all over the damn woods. I was talking to my cousin today and he asked how I was making out, I said nothing yet. Having trouble pinning down where they're moving and what time of day, but I'm getting closer. Seeing more and more deer and I'm getting closer to them. Could of had a 40yd shot at a Doe last night but passed. Wanted a closer shot. So he told me I need to bait. And I refuse to bait. I don't know exactly why, maybe it's a pain in the ass or maybe I'd rather just kill a deer by way of good observation and scouting. Or should I just bait LOL?
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I was the same way for a while but eventually gave in. The reason I gave in is because I hunt public land and like you said there is a bait pile every 100yds. So when I was learning patterns and routes all I was really doing was learning a pattern to someone elses bait pile. So in reality I was hunting bait.
 
#18 · (Edited)
People bait for the same reason that most hunters use compounds rather than recurves, inline ml with scope rather than flintlock, tree stands instead of stalking. Done correctly it can be effective and easyer than some other hunting methods.

There are ALOT of things I dont like about hunting jersey but we all have to make the best of it. Hunting SHOULD be for personal enjoyment and satisfaction so hunt the way YOU like best.

I'll add this though, alot of people blame there lack of success on others baiting when really they are just poor hunters. Deer in baited areas still walk through funnels, feed on acorns,make rubs, and visit scrapes. A good hunter who dosent bait can still kill deer in baited areas. He may have to scout harder and may not see as many but plenty of deer can be killed without bait, and thats an honest answer.
 
#20 ·
bassassassin8 said:
Just do what works for you, don't worry about what others do. If you don't want to spend $100s of dollars on bait, don't. The pursuit is all up to you, that simple.
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That is overly simplistic. Maybe, MAYBE, where you have higher deer densities, bait piles everywhere don't impact the way others hunt. However, for certain, where deer densities are lower, like just about all public land in South Jersey, hunters can't just do what they want and not worry about what baiters do because what baiters are doing negatively impacts what hunters want to do.

It's kinda like saying to the guy in the diner to just order and eat your meal as you want, and don't worry about what others are doing, while those "others" are sitting next to you blowing cigarette smoke in your face while you are trying to eat. Their actions are negatively impacting what you are doing so you cannot just not worry about it.
 
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Airdale
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