Baiting vs Food Plots..is there any difference?

First let me say, I have no bias for either one, I can't and don't bait, and I have no food plots....totally dumb here....So, are they all that much different? I mean they are to bring deer in right? It's food, you hunt over both to get a shot...do you guys see any difference in the two...?? I know the plot provides nutrition and acts as a food source at certain times, but still, I see show after show with someone hunting over a food plot...nothing wrong with that, I would if I could. But is there much difference in the purpose between the two...In the end, people use them to attract deer to shoot.

 

Hold on, I need to go get my fireman's suit on, this can be a hot topic.

 

In a word..................

NO.

 

Landon, If the same guys that are baiting (in season) are feeding out of season, then I can get with an argument that they are one in the same depending on the type of nutrition. BUT, I would bet that this is not the case in most instances.

 

let's just break it down and debate without a fight...some guys hunt over bait some guys hunt over plots...can either one say they are two completely different things? Ben Im looking at this with the end result in mind..that is, is the main purpose to kill an animal in the end?

 

IMO, the only hunter that is planting for above said purposes, is the one that isn't allowed to bait. Personally, even if my goal was to solely kill and not benefit, I'd still plant plots, but the average hunter out there would rather buy some "deer" corn and Buck Jam at walmart rather than plant. This is not to put down the people that bait, it's just my opinion, hope it's not taken wrong.

 

I'm not going to delve into the baiting side, as I don't have experience with it, and therefore am not going to speak on behalf of others who do actually do it. I can tell you my experiences/uses for my plots. Do I hunt over mine? Sure do. Are ALL of my sets over them or along travel routes to them? No.

I enjoy the process of prepping the ground, planting, mowing, and watching the plot take form. Even if I don't take a deer from the plot, I enjoy watching something grow that I put my own two hands into. Heck, the buck I shot this season was the FIRST I had shot in my food plot that I have been planting for over ten years.

I have two main plots on the property as it stands. One has been planted for over 10 years, the other we started about 6 years ago. I've never even sat remotely close to the latter. It's a small .5 acre clover plot that is planted alongside a narrow and long corn field, and bordered to it's SW but fairly thick bedding cover. We see deer in here mostly at night, and there's really no place to hang a stand nearby. However, I will continue to plant it as long as I see deer utilizing it. If it's providing at least a LITTLE supplemental feed/nutrition, the minimal cost I have in it each year is worthwhile.

I know it really doesn't answer your question VA

 

Bingo! Hey...we agree on something.

What kills me from the "I have the best interests of the herd in mind....and that's why I plant food plots and don't bait" crowd is..........

.......How in the hell is it in the best interests of the herd to hang a treestand near the plot?

 

well it does...I mean I will place corn out on some properties this time of to feed the deer, it's perfectly legal this time of year, no hunting though.. but if I had places to plant i would and I would hunt them...the purpose is to kill for me...first and foremost.

 

To sum it up, IMO, any food source with the main purpose of attracting an animal is bait. Whether it is used to hunt those animals is another thing.

I could put out 100's of pounds of corn, never hunt over it, never hunt the trails leading to it, never hunt within a mile of it and then it is food bait.

Now, if I were to hunt animals over this food, on the trails leading to the food, or in the general vicinity then, IMO, it is hunting bait.

Doesn't really matter what the type of food source is, to me, if it was put there to specifically attract animals, it's bait.

 

so Bruce, you say it's not an issue of hunting the stuff, if it is used to bring deer in, then it's bait? Good point. So anyone who hunts over a food plot, is, essentially, hunting over bait? I can agree with that. The same way hunting over deer cocaine, come here deer.. is hunting over bait or corn as well..

 

I see food plots and baiting as completely different mindsets and hunters.

And.. at this point in my life.. do neither. And never will bait.. for 2 reasons.. its illegal in my state.. and it seems like it would be boring as haitis to sit out the same spot for weeks on end. Blah. But I will not judge another man for doing so.

Food plots.. if done correctly.. are really not about shooting deer over.. although you certainly could.. and thats fine.

Food plots are about bringing deer over to where you (the hunter) can hunt them. The idea is simple.. if you have the food.. you have the deer. If you have the food and the cover you have the bucks. So its more about pulling deer populations to you that you would never have been able to hunt before.

So for a guy who is smart enough to figure out that his (lets say) 100 acres is got lots of cover.. but inadequate food.. its an ideal way to get 'butts in the seat'. It will bring in deer that otherwise wouldn't regularly thrive there.

Using food plots is nothing more than a very smart tactic in order to bring deer to the hunter.

Not everyone can go to the deer because not every property is equal. Some guys have to bring deer to them on lesser ground or simply to make their ground preferred.

Food plots are a smart tool for a savy hunter. Particularily one that understands male deer.

 

And sitting over a plot wouldn't be?????

Would you have a problem with any of this, Duke?

 

I don't care what another hunter does. Unless its illegal.

This goes back into location.. and why properties seperated by 2 miles are night and day from each other.

And.. if you're the guy (and most of us are) who's on the piece of ground without something the deer needs.. I don't expect you to sit idle and watch people around you see or take more deer.

I understand that life is too short for that. If you're property has no food or inadequate food.. then why not food plot?

Or why not plant oak trees or apple trees etc? If thats baiting to you.. then you see this topic as black and white. I see it as black and white with shades of grey.

A 1 acre food plot is what I'd call an average mans food plot. It will bring in deer to the property and feed them and help the hunter to hunt deer he could not normally ever be on. (in many instances) It simply would keep deer on the premises. They would bed closer etc etc. Many deer herd benefits.

A 50 pound bag of corn is what I'd call and average mans bait pile. It will bring in deer once they find it. But will still not alter entire home ranges of most adult deer. It would still be an inadequate a food source. A guy could get lucky over one.. but thats about it. The deer would still likely be elsewhere. Just about no deer herd benefits.

Hey.. I don't do either one. But I don't care what anyone else does either.

 

Landon....

You're never gonna get a straight answer......as long as people want to compare a 1 acre food plot and a 50# bag of corn. It's ridiculous.

Neither is indigenous.
Both were placed to attract animals in.
If you have a problem with hunting over one....you should have a problem with hunting over the other.
BOTH provide nutrition to the animals (When I 'baited'....I did so, year round).

Even on Dukes reprise.....you could substitute baiting in for plots....and it would read the same. The question IS really black and white.

 

If a guy kept a baitpile totally stocked 24/7/365 they are the same.

There are benefits to the herd in the non-hunting season. 99% of baiting is done for fast results in a hunting situation with little care for any species other than the hunter.

 

I had 5 acres of food plot/bait to hunt over this season, and I can promise you it doesn't guarantee you will kill a buck. Maybe I'm doing something wrong.

 

You're almost complete Jeff. Soon you will succeed in becoming the elitist you apparently strive for.

Their are shades of grey in everything black and white.

 

True. And well said.

 

There was no need to take offense to what I posted, Duke. There was none intended. "Elitist"? Hell I've baited, before. I did, last year. I've also planted a food plot.

"Elitist"?

If you can't address a man's point.....attack him, personally. That's brilliant.

"Elitist" would be thinking there's something morally superior in the way you attract a deer in to kill it.....vs. the method the "other guy" is using to do the SAME THING.