The DNR boys have been busy somewhere.

News Releases
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.

Conservation officers received 545 baiting complaints during the 2009 deer seasons (archery, firearms, muzzleloader), resulting in 129 citations being issued and 140 firearms seized.
Half of the conservation officers encountered other hunting violations while conducting baiting investigations, including tagging/validation violations, 52 percent; no license, 27 percent; and trespass, 25 percent.
Apples, corn and sugar beets dispersed in open areas figured in 87 percent of deer baiting cases this season.
Officers reported that nearly 60 percent of the hunters who were cited for violations admitted to conservation officers that they knew baiting was illegal, but chose to do it anyway.
Nearly 50 percent of the persons cited offered that they were aware of baiting regulations through DNR Enforcement Division news releases, media reports, or the Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations Handbook.
Deer baiting is strategically placing a pile of food near deer stands or clearings in hopes of luring a deer into close range. Nationally, 28 states ban the practice in any form, while 22 allow it (eight with significant restrictions).

——————————————————————————–

The fine for baiting in MN is $300 (plus $80 for court costs). Another $500 may be added for restitution if a deer is seized. Guns may also be confiscated.

It amazes me that someone would risk all that and still bait. MN media oulets states that baiting has increased. No doubt – the number of fines have soared. However, do you think that overall more hunters are baiting or do you think more hunters are reporting illegal baiting (using methods such as TIP) and finally the perpetrators are being caught?

Why not legalize it?
Has anyone seen scientific data showing it has a negative impact on the deer herd? Why is it allowed in other states especially WI where there is chronic wasting disease. Texas/Oklahoma have been allowing it forever. If the DNR wants more deer killed why not allow it.
I know guys on other farms around us are doing it. We put a huge amount of time and energy each year in making food plots for the deer while the neighbors shoot our deer that roam off to their bait piles.
This may open up a huge can of worms in this conversation, but let’s hear what everyone else thinks.

It is not allowed in WI inside the cwd zone

I have always heard, when baiting, deer are more susceptible to nose to nose contact, therefore transferring disease very easily, if one is infected. I do not know of any scientific proof, but I can see the relation. BTW, I would guess one of the “reports” was at our new 120 acres. One guy had a cam out with a bait pile of corn, in sept. He doesn’t bowhunt, but another guy was turkey hunting in a blind, about 300 yards from the pile. A Conservation officer, pulled over, walked up to his blind and asked him about the cornpile… he knew his brother in law had a cam out, but didn’t know where, the CO told him where it was and he explained that he doesn’t bowhunt deer and just had it set on a camera. The CO said they seen the pile from an airplane… BS the neighbor who thought we were on “his side” of the property line, called the DNR…. NO WAY did they see anything from the air in sept…. the foilage was so thick then….. I don’t have a problem with someone reporting baiting, but they should make sure that is what is happening and not do it cause he doesn’t know where the line is… The papers we got from the county, gained us about 67 feet from where he thought the line was…

Here’s an interesting point of view from Matt Frank – WI DNR Secretary.

WI RADIO NETWORK

WI DNR Secretary urges baiting & feeding ban
by Bob Hague on December 21, 2009

in Environment & Conservation, Politics & Government

Baiting and feeding of deer, already restricted in Wisconsin, needs to go away altogether, in the view of DNR Secretary Matt Frank, who speaks for the agency. “We believe we should have a statewide ban on baiting and feeding of deer,” Frank told lawmakers at the state Capitol recently.

What’s the problem with baiting and feeding? Twofold, according to Frank, who says DNR wildlife staff believe it’s changing deer habits and affecting the deer hunt. “We have hunters who do bait and feed, or hunters who don’t, changing the deer movement, making deer more nocturnal, moving them onto lands that maybe other hunters can’t get to. All of these issues I think are in play here.”

And then there’s the issue of disease transmission, specifically chronic wasting disease. “Having all these deer congregate at bait piles or feeding areas is not good for the health of the herd,” Frank said.

Frank, who was called on the carpet last week by legislators, to account for a poor November deer hunt, stressed that he’s NOT using baiting and feeding as an excuse for that – but that it’s an issue the legislature has to take a look at. Legislators say hearings on baiting and feeding are likely in the new year.

–

Baiting to me is an ethics issue.If ya bait there’s no ethics. How hard would it be to shoot a cow at the feed bunk.I think that big game taken, legal or not, shouldn’t be allowed in record books. Isn’t there a requirement to get into pope&young that the animal was taken by “fair chase”?

Ok ill go “there” To me baiting is no different than planting a food plot

Here are some intersting facts that came from an article posted from the DNR website. Here’s the LINK

In Minnesota three-fourths of MDHA members oppose baiting for deer, according to a member survey.

Minnesota DNR leaders discussed enacting the ban on baiting to preserve the fairness, quality, and tradition of the state’s deer hunting. But the key reason then and now is the spread of disease.

Despite the overwhelming perception that baiting helps hunters bag more deer, that’s not necessarily the case. A 2001 Wisconsin study showed surprisingly little difference in success among baiters and nonbaiters. A South Carolina study showed nonbaiters shot more deer in less time afield than baiters did.

In a Wisconsin DNR study, some deer stopped migrating to traditional wintering areas because they had so much feed — from baiting and from feeding by wildlife watchers. Deer researchers in Minnesota near Remer now are seeing the same deer behavior because of widespread recreational feeding.

In states that allow baiting, it’s a big time business and it’s influenced heavily by some farmers and retailers. Not sure if they actually care about the overall health of the deer herd and about ethics.

Here’s a quote by MI State Representative – Jeff Mayes who chairs the House Agriculture Committee. “A baiting ban could result in millions of dollars of economic losses to farmers and retailers who depend on bait sales for their livelihood.”

One thing I know is that deer are extremely social animals and are always licking and checking out each others noses and other parts. Concentrating deer probably can lead to more contact but how much is hard to say. They are always traveling and again getting up close and personal with each other. Deer in this part of the country always travel and gather in wintering areas. If studies show that deer patterns are changing and deer are not going to traditional wintering areas I would think that the herd is actually spreading out and less disease would then be transferred, correct.

I will say that if you are feeding deer recreationally that you are obligated to continue throughout winter and not leave them high and dry when they need it most.

Baiting to me is another whole issue.
Just my thoughts.

I agree with Gut. I don’t put a corn pile out, but with that being said, a lot of us seed food plots. Is there really a difference between putting small lush food plots in the woods and having a bait pile. Both are established to bring deer into shooting range during the season. Should the DNR say a bait bile in illegal and a bait plot is legal? Seems gray to me…

Witte

They way I see it is a law is a law is a law. Follow them or get what you got coming. Case closed.

If you hunt over the food plot, I do not think it is any different, except it is legal. I have been considering putting in a couple of plots, but not in shooting distance of where my stand is. They would be more to keep the animals close by. After the corn gets picked, many animals leave and go to other farms where they leave small areas of corn til after the season.

I have always thought it weird, that you can put out a salt lick, even hunt over it, and a lick, they are WAY more apt to be swapping spit, than a pile of corn, IMHO. Really don’t get that one… if their concern is spreading disease

OK I ‘LL GO THERE WITH Gut!

I guess I look at a bait pile and a food plot as being totally and completely different for the following reason. A 2 gallon bait pile is only there when you hunt and only used to lure that animal in for that one day or however man days you hunt giving them very little nutrition compared to the ability of a food plot. A food plot is there constantly and usually there outside of the hunting season giving those deer nutrition much of the season, not just the two weeks of and prior to gun season. Also a food plot feeds many deer vs a 2 gallon bait pile that may feed a couple of deer. So if you look at it as a bait pile = food plot then how is a corn, hay or bean field any different??? Many people shoot deer over them and plant and leave them in or a portion of them in strictly for deer harvest???? So if you would take away baiting and food plots, you are only letting the farmers or those that have a lot of money to feed, attract, and hold the deer durng the season agian changing the habits and travel routes of deer.

Secondly, I a firm believer (IMO) that a big or constant bait pile actually reduces your chance at harvesting a deer especially a mature deer. Those deer come accustom to knowing that they will have food no matter what time they get there. I have seen deer turn nocturnal because they know they do not need to move until after dark because they know that food will be there when they get there. Thus changing their routine, travel times and sometimes routes. Also IMO a bait pile fed mature deer knows he/she are being pressured at the bait site with human scent present and thus making it more weary of coming in during day light hours. A food plot is much more natural like a corn, bean or hay field. They will feed in the food plots during shooting hours, because they know they are in competition for food with other deer and they have been coming to this food plot for X number of days with no incidents or human pressure, thus leaving them more relaxed and un pressured vs. a bait pile.

Just my $.02

Quote:

---

I don’t feel legally that the DNR has the right to tell you what you can do on your land regarding baiting or feeding wildlife. I pay the taxes on my land, If I want to put out 25 gallons of corn to help the turkeys and deer through this brutal winter, that is my business.

I don’t bait, but only because it is expensive and too much work hauling corn 2 gallons at a time out to my stand.

---

+1 on what Rob said.

I’ll play, but this could get to be a long thread!

So Darrin, is it then ok to hunt all night long on your own property to, because you pay the taxes? What about seasons, year around hunting on your own land then too? Where does it stop? I understand what I am saying is a little more than what you are getting at, but it is along the same lines, no?

Baiting vs. foodplots, are they the same, or even similar? No, not even close! As Rob stated, food plots are usually started early in the spring, and utilized as long as the deer can reach them into the winter. Your average “golden scrape” hunter has his corn out only during his given hunting season. This extremely alters deer movement, especially in the northern third of the state, where there is little ag, and much less variety of forage for the deer. Land claiming, is one of the biggest negatives there is, when it comes to baiting. One of my friends who also hunts the big woods of Wisconsin, was actually “requested” to quit hunting a certain area, because this other “hunter” started his bait, and didn’t want anyone else within a 1/2 mile of “his” area. Baiters are very terrtitorial, come to Bayfield county this fall, and try hunting. As you also said, it is too much work for you to carry 2 gallons every time. Well for most it isn’t the 2 gallons, it’s the 50# or 100# bags, but no biggy, they just strap them on their wheeler, and cross country through the woods, also against the law. Now what about hunting hours? Most hunters pull the pin, at legal hours. Again, head to N. WI and listen for the after hours gunshots, again most are made by the baiters. Why you ask? Simply because these people have forced the deer nocturnal for the same reasons Rob stated. These animals are now just getting up to feed.

As you can see baiting is NOT a good thing, never will be. Is it the mother of evil things, no, it does however cause many laws to be broken, that most likely wouldn’t be otherwise. BTW for the 2009 deer season, baiting violations, again WINS, hands down for numbers of violations. Almost 400, and that’s just baiting. If you took away all the baiting and baiting related violations, our number would be less than 1/4 of what it is now. Plus imagine all the time the wardens would have to really do their job better.

Quote:

---

Ok ill go “there” To me baiting is no different than planting a food plot

---

X2 for me! Baiting is just a poor mans food plot.

I must not be normal then I start feeding/baiting on turkey day and continue too until the snow is gone.If the big 10 that visits my spot every night happens to drop his antlers right there for me then

Darrin, I guess I’m on the fence on this one. But I’ll let you in on my thinking/feeling. I hunt in multiple states where it is legal to bait. However, I prefer not to bait in those states for my own personal reasons. Have I ever baited? Yes, a few times in the past but not something I prefer or like to do.

So ok something to think about. If baiting is legal or illegal and my neighbor decides to bait throw out a big bait pile. He is now affecting the deer that I hunt by possibly pulling deer off my property because he baits and I don’t. He is also turning those deer in that area IMO more nocturnal due to reasons stated in my earlier post. So now his practices which I don’t agree with (might be legal or illegal that is irrelevant) have affected the quality of my hunt. How is that fair? I look at deer hunting as a challenge me against my quarry. Trying to figure out their natural travel pattern, bedding areas, etc. IMO, dumping a huge bait pile in a clearing and sitting over it with a rifle is unethical and pure lazy. So I guess I am not on the fence and I am against baiting. IMO, the only reason that a bait pile is there is to harvest deer over. When a farmer plants a corn, bean, and hay field, or I plant a food plot, there are many reasons why those are planted. Harvesting a deer over them is one reason, but it also gives the nutrients to the entire deer herd in the area and often gives the deer another option of a highly healthy food source for many months of the year. The beans, corn and hay also is a living for that farmer if he either sells it or feeds it to his livestock who he then makes money off of. Baiting IMO, is selfish, un ethical and helps neither the deer herd, nor the Hunter.

Also if you agree with my logic above and allow the whole state to bait, thus causing a majority of the states herd to become Nocturnal during the fire arm season, thus decreasing harvest numbers and probably increasing poaching numbers in time due to frustration of lack of deer harvest by hunters, how is that good for the deer herd? I guess my main concern is the health and stability of my deer herd over if I shoot a deer or not. So do you think the only reason you see deer on your property is because you bait? Baiting IMO is like a cancer. The more you do it the worse the deer hunting gets. The neighbor sees less deer activity so he baits more. You see the neighbor baiting and you are not seeing deer so you pick it up and so on and son on. This is a vicious cycle that never ends and only decreases the success of the hunters and turns the deer nocturnal and dependent on bait. I’m glad that MN is anti baiting and hope they never legalize it and wish the other states would follow suite.

Finally, I realize that we all hunt for different reasons and this is particular issue is a tough issue as some states allow it and others don’t making it even a bigger controversy. Lastly, I suggest that go to your local CO-OP as they have just about the same seed for a fraction of the cost. I know in MN you can go into your County Office and they have programs where you can get your food plot seed for FREE. Just something to think about!

Darrin-agreed.

When it comes to baiting I have seen both sides of the fence. I would ban it yesterday if I could. IMO it does NOTHING good, and tons of bad. I want it to go, am fighting to get it gone, and won’t support those who do it. THAT said, if they do it legally, I won’t criticize them, or bother them, in any way, shape, or form. I also have baited in the past (100% legally). I do know what it entails, and is about. It was for me however, very easy to hop the fence, back to the nonbaiting side.

As you stated, it is a slippery slope. If it took getting rid of food plots to ban baiting, I would say “where do I sign”. I think food plots are a great thing, but would give them up to have baiting gone. Then hunting would improve a ton.

I do apologize if it felt like I was coming down on you. As that is not how I meant or fell towards your opinion. That is one of the great things about the USA, everyone should and could have their own opinion, and not be right or wrong. Baiting is something that I am very vocal about, and feel strongly against, so sometimes my feelings get ahead of my words.

All that said, I think offseason feeding is a great thing, if it is sustained.

Rob,

I understand what you’re saying but if the neighbor has a food plot and you don’t is that fair? This would change travel patterns, especially during late season. If it is a corn plot it only provides nutrition during hunting season – maybe later, but not before. Most of the time, if you find a food plot you’ll find a tree stand. Not a fan of bait piles but IMO baiting is baiting.

Witte

I plant food plots for 1 reason to bring the deer to me so I can harvest them Bottom line

I hunt 100 acres of private land and purposely plant plots to pull the deer out of the neighbors

Quote:

---

I plant food plots for 1 reason to bring the deer to me so I can harvest them Bottom line

I hunt 100 acres of private land and purposely plant plots to pull the deer out of the neighbors

---

Well said cheese

Quote:

---

I plant food plots for 1 reason to bring the deer to me so I can harvest them Bottom line

I hunt 100 acres of private land and purposely plant plots to pull the deer out of the neighbors

---

And to hopefully grow them a little bigger with better nutrients. Not to mention tatical camera placement and a way to maybe watch them year round if your plots are in the right spot. I am very confident in saying that if baiting was leagal for deer hunting in MN more than 50% of the hunters would implement baiting. (See Bear Hunting) Good topic to keep the hunting season open.

Not sure how much help they get growing I dont plant until late July

I guess some of it comes back up the next year

Quote:

---

I understand what you’re saying but if the neighbor has a food plot and you don’t is that fair?

---

I think so! Again the neighbor is putting in the food plot, it is legal, and it does feed the deer a lot longer then a bait pile. I have posted this here before because this very thing has happened to me the past few years. Neighbor plants a killer year around food plot and my deer sightings go down drastically. There is no arguments (I believe) that a food plots help the deer herds health and increase a hunters success. The same can not be said about baiting. Is it fair the neighbor has not harvested his corn or harvested partial of it leaving the rest up until after season or the fields were too wet???? Should we ban farming anywhere there is whitetail? Is it fair my neighbor has 2,000 acres to hunt and I have 10???

Again this debate comes down to personal ethics and state laws and everyone’s are different! It is 100% legal for me to put in as many food plots in any state I hunt. It is not 100% legal for me to bait in all those same states! Even the ones I can bait in, those states baiting laws have regulations. Why do you think that is so?

Quote:

---

Not sure how much help they get growing I dont plant until late July

I guess some of it comes back up the next year

---

I think that is where some people fall off the wagon and don’t see the long term picture. Ideally yes it would be nice to feed your herd 365 days a year for optimum health and antler growth. However, this is rarely ever possible. But, even if you plant a plot in late July those deer are eating that stuff from 30-45 days after you plant, until it’s gone November/December. You just helped feed those deer with highly nutritious food for 25-33% of the year. The amount of food that is added by each plot helps the animal in the long run during the year. That is X amount of more food tonnage the deer have in a certian area, decreasing the feeding/grazing pressure on the otehr natural food/browse around the area. So coming into winter when the food plot is gone and food is more scarce, they have more browse and etc. Which in return keeps them better fed and healthier through the hard winter months. Which in turn helps them come into spring healthier during the antler growing season & the does nursing. Not to mention if you plant a perennial food plot. Which probably helps your deer for 8 months (75%) of the year. Just something to think about and again we all do it for different reasons!

Great Topic and Discussion Guys!

However, the original post was about the DNR in MN citing people for breaking the law and even worse knowingly breaking the law. Right or Wrong it is still the law here in MN!

Darrin, I also agree with you and that if you wanted just to feed the wildlife on your land you should be able to and the state shoudl not be able to dictate that. However, to hunt over it is a different and separate can of worms IMO.

The definition of “fair chase” must be different for some. Personally I won’t hunt over bait or food plots. I thought as sportsmen food plots were there to help the wildlife thrive in tough times. I feel this is what needs to be conveyed to the non-hunters. Just my opinion. We need to be carefull how we’re purcieved.