Feeding deer vs Baiting deer

[bikeoutback]

Here is what I'm trying to figure out and I'm sure there is no clear cut answer to this at all. I own and live on 40 acres in northern MN. I am also planning on deer hunting it this year. My stands are all placed within my trees and all set. But I also feed deer but not in the woods, only in my side yard. I have a salt lick out which I know is legal and some corn but again this is only in my yard. I'm not trying to bait deer just feeding them as I like to see them at night. I'd never take a shot at any in this area and I have no stands set up on this area or even what I would consider the near vicinity of this area. It's basically just to see what is passing through the area and to help the population and it's not a deer season thing I plan to have it out year round.

The rules state:

Hunters are not allowed to use or hunt over bait or feed or hunt in

the vicinity of bait or feed if the hunter knows about or has reason

to know about the placement of the bait or feed.

Furthermore an area is considered baited 10 days after the removal of all feed therefore I can still remove it here shortly and not be considered violating any bait or feed laws by rifle season (I'm not bow hunting either). I'm thinking my better bet is to just remove it but just wondering since I'm not hunting over it but I'm not sure what is considered "in the vicinity".

[bikeoutback]

I want to re-iterate that I'm not looking for any loophole or anything like that and that if what I'm doing could possibly be taken as baiting then I'll remove it tonight and re-start the feeding post hunting season.

[Bear55]

If its at your home and you know about and are hunting the land I would guess the CO would consider that in the vicinity. Now maybe if you neighbor was doing it and you didn't know you would get off. I would remove it.

[psepuncher]

doesn't sound like it's in the vicinity of your stand.

Now if you were grilling a salmon steak with some apple wood

and deer came in {which I've seen happen} would that be baiting?

[LightningBG]

doesn't sound like it's in the vicinity of your stand.

Now if you were grilling a salmon steak with some apple wood

and deer came in {which I've seen happen} would that be baiting?

BOOM

[Jameson]

remove it, and the deer population will be just fine if you don't re-start.

You say you only see deer at the bait at night. Could it be that some of the deer wouldn't be on your property at all if the bait wasn't there? And that you are (unknowingly) hunting them on the way to the bait?

[psepuncher]

remove it, and the deer population will be just fine if you don't re-start.

You say you only see deer at the bait at night. Could it be that some of the deer wouldn't be on your property at all if the bait wasn't there? And that you are (unknowingly) hunting them on the way to the bait?

I have to ask myself the same question with food plots.

{just thinking outloud.}

[schmoe147]

illegal you will get ticketed. The CO will consider you hunting a trail to or from your bait pile. Besides you know its there so yes that itself is illegal. Get rid of the bait.

[psepuncher]

I think the rules will be within restrictions of bird feeding.

which is 20 yards from your house. or something like that.

I get deer, bear, coons, wood ducks, sandhills, turkeys, squirrels, pheasants,

plus to many song birds to count at my feeders.

[Gissert]

Speaking for myself - I'd pull the bait.

It would stink if you got fined and any gear confiscated.

[psepuncher]

If you're planning on feeding for long term ditch the corn.

why?....Because you'll have tons of squirrel and coons, and no deer.

Get on a more healthy program of feed.

[MNice]

e-mail the dnr, they usually respond quickly. If it's OK, print out the reply and you should be good.

[96trigger]

In this case, with the feed in your yard, I would remove it. It might be a tough sell to a CO that you are not baiting, or that deer are not moving towards your bait pile. The CO could also insist that you show him where all your stands are located. Even if you are legal, it could become a gigantic headache for you, at a time when you really just want to hunt. I think you are probably legal, and well within your hunting rights, but I could see it just being a problem and a pain in the arse for you.

[fivebucks]

I think it's a grey area. If the CO thought the deer where moving past the stands to get to the feed, he could issue the ticket even if the stands were 200 yards away. I myself would not take the chance.

[sticknstring]

There's no gray area. It's baiting. Anything within a 1/4 mile of your stand, whether it be in your yard or otherwise. I'd remove it right away. Why chance it?

[bikeoutback]

remove it, and the deer population will be just fine if you don't re-start.

You say you only see deer at the bait at night. Could it be that some of the deer wouldn't be on your property at all if the bait wasn't there? And that you are (unknowingly) hunting them on the way to the bait?

[Gissert]

Good move on removing it.

The last few years, the DNR has been very public about their stepped up enforcement of baiting, or preceived baiting.

It's just not worth loosing your gear over it.

[Jameson]

...Maybe I'm reading into it but the use of the word "bait" or "baiting" is kind of insulting.....

I too wish their was another term, but I can't think of one. Food plots, salt, scents, man-made water holes, etc are all to help lure or hold deer to a certain area. The placing of food vs other methods is an old debate and not the point of the OP.

To re-iterate, be safe and pull your bucket of corn, so as to make sure you are not to breaking the law. I am not sure if you didn't that you would be breaking the law, but I know if you pull it you won't be.

Best of luck this hunting season.

[psepuncher]

placing corn in a bucket and leaving it out?...really it's the worst idea ever for feeding anything. Feed should be something they can not shove their face into

What I like about what you said is a willing to understand the regulations. What you're going to get here though is alot of opinions on ethics, and not alot of facts. Just guessing what the DNR would do is kinda like the 64.000 dollar question.

I'd call the DNR as was suggested.

My neighbor who hunts with me, gave me the plans for one of my feeders.

He works for the DNR and has gone out on call to investigate poaching.

What I have now is a spin cast feeder. Works great, but I don't see deer as they are not going to come around the house just to stand there and be exploited by a feeder. I have placed trail cams out there and have caught some good sized bucks on cammera, but in our realm with other hunters on the property too, have yet to see one while hunting. My stands are no where near my feeder or food plots. I'd rather grow healthy deer than pop them off like sitting ducks. I do hunt acorn flats etc. But to each their own.

Nutrition and feeding deer.

this a great institue that studies deer nutrition.

I've been watching their research for a few years and like what they do.

Animal Nutrition Innovation Campus

The Animal Nutrition Innovation Campus is located in Elk River, Minnesota, United States about 30 miles northwest of Minneapolis. It is the hub of the Cargill Animal Science Technology Development Center and serves a key role within the emerging Cargill Center of Nutritional Sciences.

The Innovation Campus houses many resources used to help identify and validate scientific principles related to nutrition. Its extensive laboratories are equipped to enable the identification of animal responses to nutrients, creative analysis of nutrients and metabolic modeling to explain how they are used in the body.

Research

The Cargill Animal Nutrition Innovation Campus was established in 1958 and now encompasses nearly 1000 acres. Our global animal nutrition research team is comprised of 94 PhD’s, all dedicated to defining and understanding animal health and metabolism.

Our efforts in animal nutrition extend far beyond the Innovation Campus, yet the Innovation Campus remains the cornerstone of our innovation, research, and application efforts. The research and technology capabilities of Cargill Animal Nutrition are continuously enhanced with integration of acquisitions, as well as internal refinements. The best of these research systems are integrated into a single animal nutrition research system that has expertise and resources unmatched in the industry.

We conduct laboratory research for Sportsman’s Choice® at the Innovation Campus to better understand the nutrient value of ingredients. We work to know both the chemical composition and the digestibility of the nutrients because those details make the difference in feed performance. Technologies like digestible fiber, digestible amino acids, and rumen health index were developed here. These allow us to calculate and deliver the nutrients needed to promote maximum growth through a well-balanced feeding program. Ultimately, these tools set the bar for our standard of excellence and translate into your success.

so what I use is Sportsman Choce golden deer nuggets.

Made for deer feed by the name of Record Rack, works good as far as I can tell from the research. Move up from feeding corn, this is great if you don't have food plots....but don't hunt over it.

I use the spin cast feeder so it won't accumulate a pile. The timer is set so they consume what's put out. If I see it untouched I shut it off awhile. As compared to natural feeding habits, they have to browse for it.

Good luck to everyone.

[creepworm]

I agree. The negatives far outweigh the positives on this one. Remove it for deer hunting and then you do not have to worry.

[BobT]

Quote:

Does 1/4 of mile = vicinity? That is what I'm asking as the regulations book does not say within 1/4 of a mile of any type of feed is considered baiting. It says within the vicinity.

When I read this statement I can't help but get a certain feeling that your intentions are not 100% honorable. I'm thinking from a subconscious level, not that you are intentionally trying to evade the law. In other words, I get the impression that you want to do the right thing but you are also arguing with yourself trying to justify using the "feeding" more as a bait to some extent and gain a little extra advantage to improve your chances for success.

I will make a suggestion. Do what you believe in your heart is the right thing. I think you know what that is but you're searching here for support to gray the line a little and feel good or at least comfortable about it. If you think doing what you have in mind is wrong and pushing the lines a little then perhaps is is.

[Gissert]

This kind of give me pause after what happened at my house this morning.

We have some straw bales, cornstalks, a scarecrow and pumpkins set out by our fire number. Last night the deer busted up a couple of pumpkins and had a little snack. My deer stand is not all that far from this display, though its clear that it is not intended to attract them.

I think we'll just pull the corn cobs off and take the pumpkins back in to cover our backside.

[bikeoutback]

BobT I have no feed out any more, pulled it last night to be on the safe side. I am not trying to justify it, what I was simply getting at was is 1/4 of a mile = vicinity? I'm just pointing out that the regulations are so open for interpretation that it's not even funny. You can believe what you want about my intentions the fact of the matter is I don't have any feed on my property any longer and simply like watching deer at night. Maybe corn isn't the best feed, I don't know I'm new to this.

I live in an area where everyone around me has their farm fields they are set up on to hunt and they all feed year round in their backyards. Only thing I've got going for me is that I'm sitting between the feed spots and the bedding areas and that's what I'm hunting, not my front yard.

[Gissert]

It all comes down to the CO's discretion and opinion if it is bait or not.

If you eliminate the potential issue - problem solved.

Sounds like you have a nice set up to hunt. Good luck!

[psepuncher]

I can't interprit the law.

so......

I asked the 8 ball.

sorry, it just keeps repeating itself

[BobT]

BobT I have no feed out any more, pulled it last night to be on the safe side. I am not trying to justify it, what I was simply getting at was is 1/4 of a mile = vicinity? I'm just pointing out that the regulations are so open for interpretation that it's not even funny. You can believe what you want about my intentions the fact of the matter is I don't have any feed on my property any longer and simply like watching deer at night. Maybe corn isn't the best feed, I don't know I'm new to this.

I live in an area where everyone around me has their farm fields they are set up on to hunt and they all feed year round in their backyards. Only thing I've got going for me is that I'm sitting between the feed spots and the bedding areas and that's what I'm hunting, not my front yard.

I hope you didn't take me the wrong way. I have not judged you about your intentions. Just suggesting that it sounds like you need to make the decision based on your own conscience. If you think you are setting up for an unfair advantage against the deer then maybe what you're doing is not quite ethical.

Put it this way. Suppose you are told vicinity is defined as a radius of 300 feet. Legality aside, would it be appropriate/ethical to put your stand 301 feet away from where you've been placing your feed? What does your conscience say?

[FishLocker]

Good idea to scrap the feeding till after the season, just in case.

.

I hunt north and west of Brainerd with bow, and the landowner was telling me that 2 or 3 years ago a CO confiscated 2 hunters rifles (and 4 wheeler as a hunting accessory)charging they were hunting over bait.

They had removed the corn pile 12 days earlier but the CO kicked the dirt a bit and uncovered a few kernels so called it active baiting...they were 275 yards away.

CO said that is only a decent shot, not even a long shot, with the rifles he confiscated.

They were not in a sight line to the area that had bait either, but on the other side of a grove 275 yards as the crow flies.

True, there are many stories that cannot be verified, and this is definately one of them since he got it as second hand information...but I asked my landowner anyway if anyone else had baited his land that I was on, as I was not going to take that same chance and lose my bow. Fortunately he said no feeding or baiting was ever on his property.

[jumpacablez]

what constatutes a food plot?

i am just wondering if that stuff you rake into the ground is considered baiting? or like that acorn rage gel? is that considered an attractant?

are these methads illegal?

and no I am not planning on using this stuff, i hunt public land and i carry enough stuff into the woods. just was curious?

[psepuncher]

http://news.dnr.state.mn.us/index.php/2010/01/05/dnr-releases-baiting-numbers/

DNR releases baiting numbers

(Released January 5, 2010)

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has finalized information related to baiting violations that were investigated by Minnesota conservation officers during the 2009 deer seasons.

Deer baiting is strategically placing a pile of food near deer stands or clearings in hopes of luring a deer into close range

...

[bikeoutback]

Option 1 - ask the DNR to interpret their regulations

I'm went with option 2 - remove the food thus eliminating the unforeseen chance the DNR or a CO even has to make the call at all. I can live without seeing 2 does and a fawn for a few weeks. Then I'll use up the corn I have left and then look to a better feeding plan. Although the very large group of turkeys that the DNR says don't survive this far north eat more of the corn than the deer do.

And everyone around me here has the food advantage over me even with my little pail of corn out. But last year anywhere there was food I never saw a deer till a long time after shooting hours (didn't live here then so maybe different here). I'm learning as I go by reading and gaining a few days experience every year but I know I won't catch them over food. I'm hoping to catch them in cover. I'm really hoping my thicker cover and close proximity to all my neighbors food sources means my property is a staging area for them and they will creep in within shooting hours on their way to the farm fields and so forth. I'm not very experienced though so I'm only playing a guess right now.

I mostly just started this thread to try and figure out what the difference between feeding and baiting is considered as I know many many people that have feeders. Every store I go to the hunting section has bags of corn, bags of sunflower seeds, buck feed, buck pellets.... on and on and on. Somebody must be buying it in MN otherwise it wouldn't be stocked here which makes you wonder doesn't it?