yea, they will eat 'em. also, in the cold late season, they will actually dig old cores out of the snow around trees and eat them. get a deer cold and hungry enough, and they will eat near 'bout anything. its cool that your from nc, with baiting allowed and all. it really makes sense, being how you dont have to be a farmer or have expensive food plot equipment to have a good hunt. also helps when hunting the thick stuff to give you a chance to wait for a good shot angle, rather than rushing it at a deer that would normally walk on by. really gives deer a reason to stop so you can settle down and make a good shot. good luck to ya this fall!