To Bait or Not to Bait?
Posted by MikeAdams on July 15, 2008
Last night I went to the bow range for my Monday night fix of archery. The usual gang was all there along with a friend of one of the guys who help run the range.
As usual we all began to talk hunting and exchanging different stories back and forth. We really never get to shoot our bows. We just let the kids shoot and we all talk! This was the case again last night. Well the discussion was on deer hunting as usual and someone brought up baiting. Everyone there had an opinion on the issue as usual.
This one topic alone can divide hunters faster than anything I have ever seen before. Now I’m not going to give you my opnion on it here, but I will say that as long as it is a legal practice in this state, I don’t have a problem with anyone doing it, BECAUSE IT IS LEGAL!
I will also tell you that I don’t see any difference between hunting over a pile of bait and hunting over a corn, bean, or hay field, they all seem the same to me. There are pros and cons on both sides of this issue. I just wish that everyone would stop fighting over this lone issue. If you want to bait, then bait. If you don’t want to bait, then don’t bait. You should use the method that you are most comfortable with, but don’t rag on the next guy for doing the opposite of what you choose to do.
Now there were no fights last night, it was actually a peaceful discussion between friends and the group was divided about 50 - 50. I think that is why this topic is so dividing to our group. So next time you get a chance to debate this topic, no matter what side of the fence you are on, take it easy on the opposing side. Play Nice!
Sportsmen fighting among sportsmen is one of our biggest problems and the antis prey on it. Whether it be baiting, cross bows, hunting behind a fence, or whatever we need to stand united. If you don’t want do it then don’t. As long as it is legal then support the other sportsmen that do it. If you want a perfect example just look at the Michigan dove hunting issue and what happened with that. Sportsmen were not support each other and the antis claimed themselves a victory. So please can we all just unite for the ultimate goal of promoting our life style and standing up to the antis.
July 15th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
timaford nails it on the head - remember Michigan’s dove season.
July 15th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
I agree with timafored whole-heartedly.
With that being said I agree with you on baiting. I don’t choose to do it but I don’t care if someone does it BECAUSE IT’S LEGAL.
Just in case you wondered, I recently wrote a blog post about the MUCC, and their stance on baiting, which is that they are against it. Interesting to say the least.
July 15th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Arthur where would I go to read that blog?
July 16th, 2008 at 8:45 am
I have hunted over bait, food plots, crossings, etc. and been successful in all areas. If I had to choose one it would be a small food plot. A bait pile is a attractment, just like a food plot, mock scrape, rattling or using your grunt call. I beleive a bait pile attracts alot more does than bucks and I beleive the bucks that do come in are at night. I asked who was against hunting over bait piles if he ever fished with a hook and worm, same concept IMO.
July 17th, 2008 at 12:04 am