Baiting!

[npsdave]

Hi,
I know this is a dangerous topic to get started here, however, I have been hearing the same rumors I have heard for the past 2 or 3 years only they seem louder than usual. I have heard several credible sources tell me that baiting is swiftly on it's way out. What are the rest of you hearing (if anything) about this topic? I'm sure this has already been addressed, but I have been out of town for the past three months and just started hearing this again. I have been weaning myself away from the corn by planting more year-round food plots, but I still like the mineral licks.

Thanks,

Ranger Dave
npsdave@msn.com

[Xtreme]

Glad to see ya finally found us Dave!![:D]...Ditto...i'm hearing that thanks to CWD baiting will be a hot item in the near future.

There are some pretty good arguments for and against the baiting issue. All have merit and time will tell. Tell "Yogi" and "BOO BOO" I said HI!![:D][:o)]

[rlb165]

Dave, a friend of mine talked to someone in the Dept. a few weeks ago who "predicted" that baiting will be illegal beginning next year and mineral supplements the year after that.

To tell you the truth, I can't say that I have strong feelings one way or the other.(Other than the issue of more Gov't intrusion into what we can/can't do on our own property.)

I have always fed and baited with shelled corn, but I'm not planning to this year, simply because I've only seen does on cornpiles during legal shooting time, and does don't need to be reduced on my place.

In areas where does do need thinning out, it seems like banning baiting would reduce the harvest somewhat. It sure would be interesting to compare harvest data from Wisconsin before and after the ban on baiting there.

Richard

[npsdave]

<b></b>Yes, it would be interesting to compare data if the ban does take effect. I have baited for years but would really like to get away from the corn. I really enjoy hunting around the food plots and do seem to see a more variety of deer. It does seem to be a majority of does that I see around bait piles. I have never killed a buck over a bait pile. I have mainly used them over the years to route deer into a certain area or concentrate them. I would however hate to see the mineral supplements go. I don't see the harm in keeping them?

Ranger Dave
npsdave@msn.com

[Boss Gobbler]

I was going to vent but changed my mind.

[CSS archer]

I've heard nothing of such proposals. Makes sense to me to either make it legal to bait turkeys too, or make it illegal to bait deer.

[npsdave]

I agree with you Archer. I know this is where the confusion and conflict is coming from. The regulations on baiting and turkeys is so grey and inconsistantly enforced I could see where a lot of "venting" would take place out there. I have no problem with the banning of it, but I would like to keep the mineral supplements going. I don't see where that would interfere with other hunting practices [?] Of course, this could all be for nothing. They could just be rumors and nothing else. Who knows?

Ranger Dave
npsdave@msn.com

[Xtreme]

Call up a few commisioners there CSS. For starters call up the 4th district commissioner and see what you hear on this subject.[;)]

[rlb165]

Dave, I know comparing KY to Wisconsin is apples and oranges, but I've read some pretty interesting discussions on the baiting issue on the Wis. forum of Bowsite.com.

Something that really suprised me, it seems most of the guys on bowsite were IN FAVOR of the ban. Apparently in places there were so many baitpiles that the deer were really nocturnal. Some of the guys are expecting to see lots more deer during legal shooting hours, now that deer are having to look for their groceries. Here is a link to some of the WIS. baiting threads.

http://www.bowsite.org/bowsite/tf/regional/threads.cfm

Hey, I just realized, if you've been outta town for a while, you might not know what I'm talking about. Wisconsin has banned baiting and feeding of deer, in an attempt to slow down the spread of CWD. I THINK mineral licks are banned as well, but I'm not positive on that.

Also, while you were down south, a new law passed which made it illegal to shoot a doe, unless it is in self-defense. Also, if that lady at Fork's Country Store and Archery hollers, "Jim, you've got a phone-call!" more than twice while you're talkin to him, they have to give you a free pizza.[:D]

Richard

[rlb165]

The link I provided ain't workin right...? If you wanna see the articles, click on the link, scroll down to Wisconsin, then at the bottom of the page, type "baiting" in the search window.

[Multidigits]

CSS is speaking from a law enforcement point of view, not as a biologist. They assume that those that bait will shoot a turkey if given a chance. This is driven by law enforcement, but being explained to the "disconnected masses" as a biological cure for CWD. Folks, that's pure BS!

Let's see some hard evidence that baiting is a source of CWD or that CWD can be spread by a feeder, if none of those deer aren't already infected. [?]

NPDave--Turkey's, which is what this is all about, can be influenced by salt as much so or more than corn. This has been said before, but the problem stems from the Courts asking for proof that those charged with shooting turkeys coming to bait, be given proof that the turkeys were actually intent on going to the bait. In other words, to get a conviction, the turkey almost has to be poached eating out of the bait for them to get a conviction. Now, the question is, <b>HOW MANY ADDITIONAL CONVICTIONS WILL THEY GET PER YEAR IF THE BAN IS PASSED???? </b>My wild guess is that the total won't change much.

[CSS archer]

I have no doubt that baiting will make deer more nocturnal. My problem with baiting is not the assuming of someone who baits will take a turkey, it's the @$$holes who throw out bait for deer and keep me from being able to legally hunt turkeys on the farms I deer hunt. It's all about me, didn't you know that multi!

I've even had landowners who can't legally hunt their own farm because the neighbors are baiting.

I'd prefer to make all feeding illegal, it only increases the coon numbers and increases the spread of disease.

[rlb165]

Have there been instances where a landowner has been cited for turkey hunting because his neighbor was baiting? I just imagined a scenario where I'm hunting on my own place that I'm struggling to pay for, and get ticketed 'cause my neighbor has a baitpile on his side of the fence that I knew nothing about. Now I have mixed emotions-anger and rage. But wouldn't it make more sense to change the way the law is written so my neighbor's actions can't make me an unkowing criminal?

[Multidigits]

Gosh darn...now we see that corn feeders are the reason that the 'coon population has expanded in the last few years. And i that it was because hide prices fell through the floor a few years ago??? Maybe we need a "Need to kill more 'coons" campaign.

CSS--No, it's not all about you. your welcome to your opinion on feeders or bait or what ever you want to call it. I just don't think that the Dept. needs to ride the CWD horse to get what they want. Be honest about it, with all the real facts out in the open, and let the people decide what they want.

Before my camera was stolen, I had it set on a spin cast feeder set to go off at 4 times a day. most of the photos of deer were day time photos. I also don't agree that everybody that baits for deer is an @$$hole. I believe it would be a more popular descion to legalize bait for fall turkeys than it will be to ban baiting altogther.

[rlb165]

Dave, I want to commend you for starting this thread. I predict it'll last quite a while.[8D]. If I sound like I'm flip-flopping on which side of the issue I'm on....well, I think there are several good points to be made either way.

As far as banning baiting because of turkey-related convictions, I disagree with that completely.

On the other hand, I personally wouldn't have a problem if baiting/feeding were TEMPORARILY banned, 'til more is learned about the spread of CWD on this side of the Mississippi.

[KYhunter]

Be careful of the "temporary" thing. Remember the one year only $4 fee for migratory birds(woodcock and dove) that was going to be used as a counting tool to check on just how many hunters there were for these birds? How many years ago was that???

[rlb165]

By "temporary" I was kinda thinking along the lines of a 2~3 year moratorium or something. Hopefully by then, more will be known about the Evil Prion.

[shogan]

How about changing the law so that if my neighbor baits it's not the same as me baiting. Gee if this SH** is so hard to enforce how come we are talking about seperately owned parcels affecting the legalities of baiting. If I don't see corn where them birds are standing or falling it isn't baiting.

Still no one has given me a good argument why it's ok to bait one animal and not another (Baiting is Baiting). Are we trying to act like turkeys don't have a strong foot hold. I see more turkey then deer. Shoot more hens.

[CSS archer]

Multi, I think you like to argue just for the sake of arguing. Biologically, baiting or artificial feeding is BAD, cwd or not many diseases are spread through baiting. You are not "helping" your deer by artificial feeding, call it what it is and shoot them with their nodse in the pile. Shogan is dead on, what is the difference. Make it legal for turkeys too and shoot them, most kill them that way anyhow.

My point is it should be consistant, and preferably for the sake of wildlife and our future hunting, illegal.

Most people bait because they don't have crop ground that they think is needed to hold deer, they simply want the deer on their property instead of the neighbor's.

Let's say multi that you enjoyed fall turkey hunting, and say you've hunted a farm of 300 acres for 20 years. Some other people hunt this farm too, and a couple of them started putting out corn because they can't sit still in a stand or they have to hunt the same place every time regardless of wind direction and they don't see any deer. They make it illegal for you to turkey hunt because they aren't seein any deer.... you know my term for them. It seems every farm has one, I blame it on the outdoor channel and the Texas mentality on feeders.

[GSP]

npsdave,
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">. I have heard several credible sources tell me that baiting is swiftly on it's way out. What are the rest of you hearing (if anything) about this topic? <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

Commission member Frank Brown, Sept 4th.
"Outlawing baiting for deer is not a matter of if it will happen, it is only a matter of when it will happen"

[Xtreme]

It must be getting near the holiday season once again. It seems that Multi and CSS get into it every year about this time over something.[:o)][:D]

This kind of reminds me of the joke I once heard about the woman who claimed she had been raped by a Texan. When the authorities asked her how she knew she had been raped by a Texan she replied. He had a cowboy hat, little !@#$%^, BIG belt buckle and talked non stop the whole time. Now we will have to add that he had a sack of corn in the back of his pick up as well[;)][:D][:o)]

[rlb165]

Hey, why mess with an actual feeder, when you can get one of these gizmos?

http://feederrepeater.com/

What are they gonna think of next?[;)]

Heck, with one of these and one of those .22 caliber arrow launcher things.........

[mossyhorns]

Seems there are two types of baiters: Type one has feeders he maintains year around and supplements the natural feed; Type two is the fellow who buys a bag of apple flavored deer corn down at wallyword the week before season and expects deer to stand around his pile all day. The extreme of type 2 is the northern hunter that dumps a truckload of stuff in a bait pile to outdo his neighbors.

It's hard to fault Type 1 -- he puts in a lot of time and effort and is careful to have food available during the time of year when deer need it most. You have to wonder, though, if he put the same amount of time into growing crops if that wouldn't be a better alternative.

Type 2 is a hopeless case -- and I've been there myself! It doesn't work here. It might work up north where there is nothing but a fence between you and the north pole, and it works in Texas where there's nothing but one cactus between Olk. and Mexico. But in the good ol' Commonwealth, deer typically have too much to eat to stand around a pile of meal-buggy corn all day.

I think baiting is just like using apple-flavored attractants or vanilla flavoring or the pee from a squinty-eyed doe -- it's a gimmick. It's like throwing salt over your shoulder or wearing the same lucky underwear all season. We do it because we think that in some faint, mysterious way it gives us an advantage. Obviously, the biologists think that in some faint, mysterious way it is harmful to wildlife. I have to defer to the biologists on this one. Focus your efforts on food plots and habitat enhancement and leave the wallyworld wormy-corn to those stupid yankees who don't know any better.

[stevenvalley]

well said






stevenvalley

[stevenvalley]

ok, I posted on thios topic a LONG time ago, bedfore the site was updated.
I personally dont use feeders. I make food plots. But I do see the point of someone who owns say 10 acres, and it's all woods. I dont have a problem with these people having feeders on their property. I however, do not condone anyone shooting a deer eating from a corn pile or feeder. I would never shoot a deer eating from one of my food plots. One I bowhunt only, so shooting deer in a field would most likely be an exercise in futility. But two, I have these food plots not for me to shoot deer in, but to make the deer more healthy, and possibly draw more deer to my property. So, people that have lots of land, should really have no reason to bait. If you have plenty of cover and give the deer a food source, they have no reason to leave, unless you pressure them off.

sorry for rambling

stevenvalley

[Multidigits]

Against my better judgement, I'm going to respond to Joe's comments one more time. I'm doing so because I know that a lot of those feeding deer do not poach turkeys over the bait nor are they A$$HOLES. I think if Joe knows of guys shooting tukeys influenced by bait, he should take the proper action.

I seem to remember Joe saying in this forum or on the Bowsite that he's used bait in the past during late season. I've also seen where he's recommneded mineral supplements. I know, at least for a while, that this was part of the HIP reimbrusement program. People put mineral supplements out for the same reasons that the put out feed. Surely, they could be responsible for deer getting their noses together from time to time. If our deer don't need supplemental feeding, they don't need minerals

I have met Joe once before and from his contributions to these forums, can tell he's dedicated to the sport, very good at it, and is well respected as a biologist on here and in the field. Not to deminsih that fact, but several "well known" biologist in the whitetail deer field have much different opinions on the use of feeders. I remember the QDMA Short Course in Lexington awhile back. Joe was there. The Speaker, Dr. Jacobson, talked at link about using feeders and how they are the best tool(in conjunction) with a camera for getting a survey of your deer herd. I've seen countless articles from Dr. James Kroll on the use of feed and feeders to improve the quality of the deer herd, to improve the health of the deer herd and to improve the number of deer on your property by properly placing the feeders inside the property lines. That said, these two gentlemen make their living strictly off of whitetail deer. I don't for a minute think they would recommend something that is going to deprive themselves of a lively hood.

Joe has mention before that the Fall turkey harvest is not a factor in the population model, and that the numbers killed now could be expanded without a problem. How could that be with all those A$$HOLES out there shooting turkeys over bait? I can feel for Joe if he feels he can't hunt turkeys on a particular parcel because of baiting. But Joe needs to buy some land if he wants to control the land totally. A landowner should be able to do what he wants on his own land, and that includes the popular chioce of feeding deer for his or others pleasure.

Then, Joe throws in there that the coon popultion explosion is because of bait. What's in corn or other feed that can make coons have sex more often??? Baiting been going on for years, so why wasn't the coon population always high???

A didn't bring it up, Joe did. Where's all the disease in Texas???? You don't have to even watch the Outdoor Channel to know that everybody feeds in Texas. I'm surprised they even have any deer left.

Finally, Joe has an opinion on baiting just like I do. his is just different than mine. We've debated this issue several times and the end result was always the same. Most people want to continue to be able to do it. I'm done with this one, promise![8D]

[Xtreme]

I don't think outlawing baiting will greatly reduce disease. Just watch deer eat apples or pears. They will chomp om one and it will fall out of their mouth and the next one will pick it up. When deer eat acorns or persimmons they are nearly nose to nose a lot. How many times have you watched deer graze alfalfa one behind the other. Also when they eat in a picked corn field they will roll an ear over , kick at it take a bite or two and walk away and there will be one right behind that will eat off the same ear.

The best thing to do if you are going to feed corn is to scatter it out. Instead of dumping a hundred pound bag in one big pile make 8 or 10 small piles that are scattered out.

I get more nervous over items that make deer want to lick one certain item like some of the deer suckers and things as such on the market. You want to see nose to nose just watch deer fight over a sucker or one of the sweet blocks that are on the market. Not to mention that these "deer candies" draw flies which could transmit disease as well.

I've taken many deer over the years, the vast majority on trails, acorns , picked corn, alfalfa etc. I also have taken a few over corn. The deer are not as big a sucker as some may think when it comes to baiting. If anything corn piles will scare mature battle wise deer.

All my X's live in Texas[:o)][:D][;)]

[Walt K]

It's my opinion that Fish & Wildlife should pass an amendment that baiting be halted immediately upon the first case of CWD being discovered in Kentucky. If CWD comes into our herd, we better hope we can thin the herd fast enough and keep them separated before we lose it all.
What chaps me most on this, is CWD was first found in captive cervid herds, and the cervid ranchers in Kentucky are raising the biggest fuss about the Dept. putting tighter restrictions on them during mandantory testing to make sure infected animals don't come in the state. Many of those ranchers are raising deer for "doe pee", Don't they realize if we lose the herd, nobody's going to buy their pee anyway!

[rlb165]

CONFESSIONS OF A FORMER BAITER


Guys, I've spent --literally-- thousands of dollars on a 4-wheeler, a couple of Fisher-Price implements for it, plus fertilizer, lime, and seed.

I've seen more deer eating from a $7 cornpile than I ever have in foodplots or in native browse on my place.

I finally realized that if there weren't enough deer here to be able to scout and set up accordingly and see deer, the last thing I needed to do was shoot another doe, over a cornpile or otherwise.

One thing I was wrong on. Once I thought I was merely an eager, desperate landowner, doing whatever it took to try to see a few deer after going in debt so much for a hunting spot. After reading this thread, I realize I was just an A$$HOLE.[B)][:0][V]

[KYhunter]

Richard- say what they want about you- at least you have a sense of humor.

[mossyhorns]

I agree with Walt on the captive herd issue. There is too much downside risk to the native herd from imports. The idea that game ranches won't import suspect animals is pure bull hockey. Heck, they have to tag or brand cattle that have brucellosis to keep the livestock boys from selling them again. What makes anyone think a game rancher would be any different. Here's a tip: Anytime the government wants to see a decrease in something, they raise the price of the license (ie: gun dealers, taxidermists, etc.). Let's have a $10,000/yr license for game ranchers and a $100,000/animal fine for every sick animal. Isn't it time the people who make money off of wildlife pay along with the people who do it just for the enjoyment?

[shogan]

Did I call someone an ^$$h*!e and don't remember it! Or did somone else start this controversy.

I think all baiting/animial feeding should be legal. This is not an admission of guilt but I think some good fishing and dove hunting has been had under such conditions and feel to much good wildlife is sitting idle at the bird feeders and in the KOI ponds of america.

Further, I would like to apologise now and forever if I did, am, or will be calling anyone an @$$h*le. I did not mean it any further than the typical here's my best friend Bob he can be a real A$$H*!E somtimes but he's really a good guy kinda comment.

Finally I would like to submit that: I will be subject myself to self conseling in which I route out my id, ego, and super ego in an effort to blend my estranged multiple personalities and try to control my anti social behavior.

[rlb165]

Shogan, it's like I always say, I may have Multiple Personality Disorder, but I've always got each other.

KYhunter, Thanks Man[:I]....I THINK.....??[?]

[Walt K]

I see rlb165 has done his homework on CWD also, as you mentioned the "evil prions." A prion is a protein that has gone bad, hence what causes CWD in cervids. What's really interesting and SCARY is that I read a piece from Quality Deer Management Assoc. that reports that since a prion is a protein, it cannot be killed by freezing or cooking. That said, you WOULD NOT want to eat an infected animal with CWD. Though they also said the prion is in the brain, eyes, lymph nodes, and spine (bone marrow)and not to eat them, duh, yeah. BUT, guess what happens if you have your deer processed at a plant, they SAW through the backbone to cut steaks and spread the bone marrow "sawdust" throughout the meat. Can you spell CONTAMINATION? I'm just glad I bone out my own venison! Of course remember, it's not been fully proven that you can contract it through consumtion but it hasn't be dispoven either, are ya a gambler? I'm not. Let's hope CWD does not make it here.

[npsdave]

<font size="2"></font id="size2">OK guys, I will now proceed to give myself 40 lashes with a wet noodle for stirring-up this hornets nest [}:)]. As I said in my initial thread, I knew I was making a mistake by starting this debate/discussion again. Actually though, you might call me a sadist, but these were the kinds of comments I wanted to hear.

I haven't been hitting the woods as long as some of the other folks that frequent this site, but I have been around since the days of the split Nov/Dec. three day gun season. In those days everyone who hunted in my area (that I know) baited with corn or something similiar. Not to say there weren't those hardened, woodwise, go-getters, out there that did a lot of ground-pounding and hunted the trails and funnels, but they were the exceptions. I was a victim of my environment and social pressures (Sounds like Oprah), and would dump my 100lbs. of corn out and wait nearby. Though I continue to put a little corn out each year and maintain year round mineral licks, I am gradually weaning myself off the bait and moving more toward foodplots. Since I started bow hunting a couple of years ago, I find my tactics changing. I like to hunt the edges of the foodplots and enjoy trying to outsmart those slick Whitetails. I do see more deer at the corn, but they normally come in right at dark and are predominantly does and yearlings. I believe the bow hunting is finally making me a better hunter, because it makes me work harder at monitoring the wind and my concealment. I find myself practicing the same tactics during my time with a gun as well. I didn't always do that in the past when gun hunting because I felt I could get away with more. Now before someone gets the wrong impression, I am not saying bow hunters are better than gun hunters I'm only using my experiences as an example (Please don't use me as an example). Finally, the foodplots in my opinion provide a better year round food source for deer. Most of the guys I know who bait fall in that category 2 I read about earlier. They bait only during season and then stop once it goes out or they harvest an animal. The foodplots keep the food source there during those crucial times of the year when the deer needs it most.

Anyway, I will now proceed to give myself those much needed lashes. Meanwhile, you guys keep the discussion going, but please remember we are all out there trying do the same thing

- Harvest that trophy and do it the ethical way -

Thanks gsp, that was one of the quotes I had heard, I just didn't want to mention any names.



In reference to the Coons. I have a seen a big increase in my area as well. Bobcats too! I think the biggest impact on Raccoons is the lack of market for them these days. Since the price went down, the hunters in my area have stopped taking them. Still a lot of good dogs and hunters out there, but not a lot of taking and skinning.

Thanks Guys,

Ranger Dave
npsdave@msn.com

[shogan]

Which brings me to this point talking about turkey. They make it so difficuilt and expensive to take turkey yet they are letting coons and snakes loose to eat eggs.

[npsdave]

I don't know how all this got started, but I don't think anyone is an a$$hole for baiting deer unless they plan on shooting the animal with a light in it's eyes in the middle of the night. My original intention was to find out if anyone else was hearing the same rumors going about on banning it, and if they thought it was true. Everyone has different opinions on whether to bait or not and reasons why they are for or against it. That is why this forum is so good. It allows those of us who don't travel wide areas to pick the brains of those in other parts of Bluegrass State. Let's keep it civil [:o)].

You guys are kidding about the Coons and Rattlesnakes aren't you [?]



Ranger Dave
npsdave@msn.com

[taggedout]

Rattle snakes do not eat eggs. They are indigenous to parts of KY.

Grummybear

[Birdman]

Snakes do eat eggs, but for the stocking of rattlers to eat turkey egg was started by the good old boys that farm crooked cigs.

The baiting issue is a crock of s--t if you want to bait then bait. If you don't want to bait then don't. It's that simple.

[Xtreme]

Come on in Birdman![:D] I do admire a man that gets straight to the point[;)][:D] It must be getting near Grouse season and you are getting like a tied up bird dog on a frosty morning[:o)][:o)][:D]

[CSS archer]

I agree, bait if you want, but why should it make it illegal for anyone to turkey hunt. Depending on what county you are in it can be within 100 yards, the farm or within the zone of influence which basically means if the turkeys visit the feeder you're illegal.

I have killed a few does over a corn pile myself, I just won't bait if anyone is turkey hunting. I'm hunting farms now that have fewer and smaller deer simply because I'd rather take a turkey. Maybe I'll get a crack at that 180 buck I watched all summer, next year?

All I'm saying is it should be consistant for everything.

Shogan, yopu surely don't believe that nonsense?

[Multidigits]

I'm back for one last comment. The problem is "the area of influence". I don't have a problem with throwing the book on anybody caught trying to shoot a turkey off of a corn feeder. Citing somebody for hunting "in an area of influence" is a different thing all together. There's a million things that can make a turkey alter his course from point A to point B, even if he was headed for a feeder(which can't be proved). When a turkey flys down in the morning, there's no way you can predict that he will come to a feeder, because the turkey doesn't know at that point. He may go there, or even two or three times a day, but you can't bank on it, because of all the things that might happen. A hen fart can spook the whole flock. Tell me how a CO can determine what's going through a turkeys mind??? Can't be done. That law is flawed. That's the main reason Law Enforcement can't routinly make a successful cases against turkey baiters.

[shogan]

Well I'm not sure to which nonsense you are referring.

However, In general I appear to be in the minority in my thoughts. Here are my stances as I really believe them.

Specific to this topic:
I feel baiting is baiting (regardless of game) and in general it gives you an upper hand. Thus it decreases the sport and increases the harvest. Sometimes its nice to just catch fish or kill deer if you don't tend to get a lot. BUT you are fudging on the sport.

In general to this topic:
I feel laws (except basic and general ones for public well being) are too prevelant, cumbersom, and worthless. And far to many people call for this law or the other. There are about 10 laws that we need to live by.

Finally I think this hobby and all hobbies would do better to have fewer laws governing and rely on good old fashioned public opinion. Look how much smoking has been curbed with adequate propaganda (but nicotine is so nice we don't want to outlaw it)!

If thats the nonsense to which you refer the answer is yes I believe what I say. Not to be confused with times Im just joking around in which case it could be said I'm pulling your leg.

[LoneRanger]

Shogan alright, he just got into some lead paint when he was a child!

[TripleBlind]

Shogan,
CSS was referring to the coon and snake releasing. I bet they dropped 'em from copters, huh?[:D]

[Highbow]

Has anyone noted that after seeing the drop of harvest numbers in Michigan they are once again allowing them to bait and there has been much testing done since with NO PROOF of baitind causing any spread of the diseases.

[CSS archer]

Yes Shogan, I was referring to the rattlesnake comment.

Diseases can be spread by concentrating animals at a feeder. But, we aren't killing enough deer anyway so why worry? Turkeys can be very negatively impacted by moldy grain. My point is baiting is not helping, other than to harvest an animal.

Dr. Kroll is right, in Texas if they don't feed they don't hold enough deer to meet their objectives. KY is fortunate enough to have the rainfall and fertility to make up for that.

[shogan]

I'm sorry I can't respond I'm to busy chewing on the wood work of my 60 year old house. When I'm done with that I"m going to go chew on some venician blinds. Then I might drill holes into the asbestos siding on my house and breath in the dust what a rush. Ya Want Some!