Would baiting help my odds of shooting a deer?

Question

The place that I hunt is on my aunt's cow farm, so there is plenty of food sources around for the deer.. Such as cor, and alfalfa. The actualy spot that I hunt is on the ground, just inside the woods next to a stream that devides the woods from a huge cornfield. There is several deer runs in front of me, which basically looks like a deer highway. I was out there the other night, and seen 2 deer walk right by me (which I actually shot at with my bow and missed), so there are deer that will come through, but would I have even more takers if I baited with some apples, or something that they are not able to find on the farm? Also, when I was out there, I did end up spooking a deer away that was staring at me from my blind. So basically, the deer saw my hiding spot/ground blind. Is that going to make them weary of my hunting spot now? I am not planning on hunting from there for a few days, but I am scared they will not walk by there anymore because I gave that spot away..

Answer 1

A few chopped up apples and molasses never hurt anybody.

Migel must be in prison if he thinks you are a man...

Anyone one can see that the detail provided would be irrelevant to most men. A man would never give away exactly where his spot is and how he thinks (i.e. "The actualy spot that I hunt is on the ground, just inside the woods next to a stream that devides the woods from a huge cornfield") as this would give an enemy the ability to understand how he thinks and therefore give hime the edge.

Happy hunting my dear!

Answer 2

It sounds as though baiting is unnecessary where you are hunting. If as many deer as you describe are coming by your stand and there is so much food available around where your stand is located, bait will have a minimal effect. Besides, baiting is not legal in all states. Make sure that it is legal in your area before you even try it. As for using apples, that only works if the deer are used to eating apples. If apples don't grow around where you are hunting, they might actually think of them as something foreign and avoid the area. As for the deer spotting you, just give them a few days and they will have forgotten all about it. If they spot you there frequently, they will start to avoid the area but only being seen once ot twice will have minimal effect on them. They might look at your blind out of curiosity for a day or so after seeing you there but they will soon forget all about the encounter.

Bottom line, forget the bait because I don't think you need it. Go, relax and enjoy the woods, harvest your deer when it comes around, and it will. A very big part of hunting is just enjoying the hunt itself. Once you kill a deer, all the work begins.

Answer 3

well, as long as you have erased your scent, and you don't hang out in the same spot too long, the deer will keep using their trail. Just because a deer saw you isn't reason to leave. Just lay off for a few days, or hunt a different part of the farm, and the deer will probably think that you were just there by accident.

As far as baiting, some states allow it, some states don't. You might get more deer, but then again, it may just be the same ones.

Answer 4

You have a good question here. For starters using a .22 for deer hunting is illegal as it is too small of a calibre for big game. Using a .243 or higher will get the job done. I personally use a .30-06 and in the past few years of using this firearm I have had a handful of deer run less than 100yards and drop. Now with that said their are a few good places for shot placement. Vital organs: If you aim just behind the front shoulder blade you will hit the lungs and heart and will be a quick clean kill. Head/neck shot: This will be a good instant kill if done right. break its neck or hit the skull plate and it will be a quick clean kill. But this is also a shot that can be screwed up too. I've had several clean kills this way but I've also screwed this shot up too. I'd only reccomend this if you know your rifle and can shoot VERY accurately. Spine shot: I had some shots where i broke the deers back and was instantly killed. Only problem with this is it can ruin the backstraps some of the best meat eh. But the main thing is you need to know your firearm, shot placement and be accurate in your shooting. Being accurate is key. I would say shoot for the vitals cause they will go down regardless might be right where you shot or 150yards but regardless they will go down shortly if you aim for the vitals Hope this helps

Answer 5

As far as the deer locating your blind again, not to worry. I've seen a deer I shot at and missed from my tree stand come cruising through the same spot the very next day at almost the same time. He didn't survive this time, a case of true Darwinism in action! As far as the baiting goes, it will work, but I'll leave that to your own conscience. Not something I personally approve of but my primary motivation isn't necessarily to put meat on the table, my kids won't go hungry if I don't get a deer for the freezer.

Answer 6

Baiting is illegal in some states, so check the laws first. If you can, it will help attract more deer once they realize the bait is there and not moving. They way it sounds, yuor place is stacked with deer and it doesnt sound liek you really need to bait. Spooking one deer isnt going to do anything to the others, but that one might not be around for a bit. I wouldnt think it is something to over worry about.

Answer 7

as long as the deer were not activly chased they will soon return to your area. as far as the baiting goes, i use salt and mineral licks. tried corn when using my game cameras but they never touched it due to the fact that i hunt in a timber surrounded on 3 sides with corn and soybeans and an alfalfa field on the other. the salt mineral lick is now a huge stomped hole and i only started it 2 yrs ago. have had several deer come in and stop for long periods eating the salty dirt. check your local hunting regs. where i live anything other than salt/ mineral may not be used and bust be removed 10 days prior to hunting the area

Answer 8

Yes, baiting (if legal where you hunt) does improve your chances for taking deer. But the place you describe sounds like it already has plenty of food sources for deer so it may not work for you.

Just try again later. Get some practice in, in the mean time.

Best.

H

Answer 9

In Texas it is almost a necessity to hunt over bait due to the high fences and raising of deer like a cash crop. I personally do not do this and it puts me in a minority. It sounds like that you do not need to bait the area anyway. Scout the area some more, use scent blocking clothes, and pay attention to which way the wind usually blows. If you can hunt downwind of the area, it sounds like you are in luck.

Answer 10

Hunting is a sport, usually. But I know alot of people that use game meat as the family's source of food. To them hunting is not a sport, but a necessity. They will bait......without judgement of those who hunt for sport. Bow hunting is considered (in my neck of the woods) as even more of a sport because of how much closer one has to be to get a good aim and hit. Sport hunters would consider baiting the same as changing the number of your golf swings as you keep score. There is never sport in 'cheating'. It's all in what you're in it for. Here in the mountains hunting is so common that the first day of hunting season (gun) the kids are off from school. At the local largest industry, senority is how vacations are picked. The hardest week to get is the first week of hunting season (not Christmas). Sooooo.....here.....you would be laughed at behind your back. Woman or man.