How many hunt feed(ers)?

[Crittergetter]

Originally posted by pdk25:
[QB] So many misconceptions.  It was far easier for me to kill deer on public land in the Northeast (PA/NJ). Without feeders than it would be on my private land in Oklahoma hunting over feeders.

A truer statement has not been made so far!

[Ken Taylor]

Many interesting points of view have been posted.

I guess I'm with the "neutral" group, LOL!

However, I seem to get the impression that most of those opposed have never tried it.

[Gehrke145]

I've hunted all over, baited, fences, back country, as long as I felt good with it thats all I needed.  I'm not sure how guys throw stones unless they have been around a bit?

NZ- Africa fences are ok?

Bears, Hogs bait is ok?

Man just do what makes you happy, and let others do what they like and is legal.

At the end of the day, game departments have one goal, managing game numbers.   They walk a tightrope between keeping numbers high enough to make hunters happy, low enough to keep animals healthy, within the carrying capacity of the land, and at a level where societal intrusion is acceptable.  

Legal seasons, legal methods, and legal weapons are all geared toward those specific ends.  They add and subtract all three based on what they need to accomplish.

Many who think that their chosen method is the only moral or ethical way to hunt deer (or any game animal for that matter), must also think that it would be moral and ethical to have massive overpopulation, rampant disease and habitat/property destruction.  After all, that would be the result.

[Bowwild]

Many ways to hunt. I choose, you choose, we all choose....(I know, don't scream).

I'm in the group that has little or no experience with baiting. However, there have been times I've found myself in "Rome".  When in Rome I've done as the Romans do....I've had a blast baiting bears 4 times, and a hog/deer hunt in TX.  

I don't mind admitting, when that TX feeder motor went off, I was startled but then got excited. Sort of like when the neighbor's pesky mutt starts baying when I'm on stand. I despise that beast chasing deer but I do get ready in case he chases something in front of me.

For a half-dozen years (late 70's early 80's) I turned down a DIY bear hunt in Ontario with good friends. I didn't think it would be any fun hunting something over a pile of doughnuts. I relented and went in 1984.  It was so fun, almost like running a trapline, finding bait sites, baiting, checking baits and then putting up tree stands over active baits. Finding attractive baits, burning honey, burning bacon, stereo, a can of "Ten Dead Horses" (really!), etc.  

Those first nights in stands after a bait was hit were very exciting.  On the other hand, I could not imagine finding a bear in those wilderness brush areas or having one just happen to amble by.

Alas, DIY bear hunting became illegal a few years later and then spring bear baiting became illegal altogether.  Thank goodness it is legal again. I'm hoping to go this coming spring, if my buddy who fell out of the tree 10 days ago recovers enough.

I'm with Sam on the hogs.  They are destructive vermin that have, in many cases been illegally placed in the environment.  If I could snap my fingers to rid the wild landscape of one creature, it would be a toss up....spiders or hogs.  

In truth, I wouldn't snap those fingers because my plan sucks compared to His.

[Stickbow]

Its unfortunate if the generation of hunters behind us think the only way to hunt is sitting over a pile of bait.

[DanielB89]

[TGbow]

From an ethical standpoint, because something is illegal doesn't necessarily mean that it's unethical.
Some things are a no brainer, like hunting deer at night.
We have a lot of laws that are legal but they may not all be ethical or morally correct as a law.
In some states hunting over corn is illegal but in some states it's illegal.
I have hunted over food plots ,rye grass, planted corn, ect. ,planted by man.
I will not condem a person for hunting
over bait where it's legal. Dont see how I could and not be a contradiction to my own ethics.