I have acquired a good chunk of land to hunt this year in Kentucky. I have never baited for deer other than throwing corn around to get em on cam. From what I can tell, since it's legal, everyone baits up there. I'm smart enough to know, it's highly unlikely to harvest a mature buck over a feeder, and that's not my train of thought. I feel like I need to run feeders to keep deer on the farm, but I hate the idea of a 100% corn offering. I'd like to be able to feed a high-protein, nutritious supplement. But, I hear that its tough to get deer weaned off the corn. Being a native Tennesseean, this is a new game to me. Do you guys have any experience getting deer weaned onto something other than corn. What's your advice? Thanks
Baiting advise?
- Thread starter Jmed
- Start date
BlountArrow
Well-Known Member
No experience personally, but several guys across the ridge from my place are great at it. Apparently, they are simply unaware it is illegal in TN. I should probably give them a reg book.
Let your neighbors do the baiting.... The mature bucks, if they go to it, it will be at night.
Lots of folks think you can put out the golden acorns and a 200" will come out of the ground and boom he's dead. It don't happen like that. I hunt Ky and put corn out to get pics of my "inventory". I wouldn't have to do it because my licks get hit pretty hard almost year round. But i like to do it just for pics. And if that 200" walks up then it's perfectly legal.
I put corn out from about now til mid Oct. After that i stop mainly because it's way too expensive.
I put corn out from about now til mid Oct. After that i stop mainly because it's way too expensive.
A
Anonymous
Guest
Sometimes we will have mice get into our horse feed and I will put it out at my salt licks to feed the deer during the summer. they love it. Any sweet feed is very attractive to them. Like rem270, I only do it when the horns are almost fully developed to get an inventory of anything that has gotten aware of the cameras at the trophy rock. Personally, I wouldn't bait to kill but if it's your thing this will work.
Shed Hunter
Well-Known Member
I would put it out, but not focus my choice of hunting areas around it. Once the rut starts to come around I seriously doubt it matters one way or another, but post season it might influence their movement.
BowGuy84
Well-Known Member
2 main times to kill bucks over bait and it is far from a sure thing.
1) early season...I killed my buck last year on Sep. 11 I think. He wasn't over bait but I had mature bucks on cameras at corn piles for about the first couple weeks of the season
2) late season in cold weather 2012 I killed my buck on Dec. 29 over bait. I'd patterned them for almost a month.
One other thing, most older bucks come to a feeder or corn pile after dark, and if they don't it is usually with what they think is the wind in their favor. Access and wind are crucial.
2013 buck
2012 buck
Stand Pic
Day light pic of 2013 surviror...in the process of getting on this deer now.
1) early season...I killed my buck last year on Sep. 11 I think. He wasn't over bait but I had mature bucks on cameras at corn piles for about the first couple weeks of the season
2) late season in cold weather 2012 I killed my buck on Dec. 29 over bait. I'd patterned them for almost a month.
One other thing, most older bucks come to a feeder or corn pile after dark, and if they don't it is usually with what they think is the wind in their favor. Access and wind are crucial.
2013 buck
2012 buck
Stand Pic
Day light pic of 2013 surviror...in the process of getting on this deer now.
Sounds good. I went today, checked cams and installed a new code black. Im waiting for my first pic...I put out a boat load of corn/deer chow mix and minerals and they got right on it. Right now our bean fields are getting hammered.
thats funny..pass-thru said:
BowGuy84
Well-Known Member
I killed 15 last year. 3 came in and around bait.
Of the 5 bucks I've killed in the last 7 years one came over a bait pile.
Of the 5 bucks I've killed in the last 7 years one came over a bait pile.
infoman jr.
Well-Known Member
It's possible to get some pretty good ones to come to corn.
It's not for everybody.
It's not for everybody.
Spread the corn out. 50lb bag over 2000sf. You want the deer to mill around. Nibble here, nibble there.
My next buck that gets mounted will have a trail cam on the opposite wall and the deer will have it's tongue sticking out licking some trophy rock off his lip.
My next buck that gets mounted will have a trail cam on the opposite wall and the deer will have it's tongue sticking out licking some trophy rock off his lip.
AdamMcK
Member
Bait is illegal to hunt over in Indiana but feeding deer isn't I put out trophy rock preseason to see who's around and corn after season to see who has made it another year. I don't understand why its illegal if a guy can put out a food plot why can't another fella dump out a bag of corn? I agree with the other fellas even in the dead of winter up here bib bucks only hit my piles in the dark. If I could bait I would.... I got a few kids and not a lot of time... sure would be nice to have 4 or 5 does come in on a corn pile for my kids.
treefarmer
Well-Known Member
One good reason to avoid baiting is because it encourages diseases because deer eat food other deer have licked or perhaps touched noses to. Michigan deer had a bout of tuberculosis so the DNR changed baiting from unlimited to one 5-gallon bucket of food per hunter. Planted crops reduce this threat. In Mich. we had wooden troughs of corn or oats and multiple deer would eat out of the trough at the same time. Baiting is also expensive and we would all feel like we had to do it to compete with our baiting neighbors to see deer.
Realtree
Well-Known Member
Good thing about feed is the does love it, and if it's the right time the bucks are right behind the does.
AdamMcK
Member
Deer are pretty social critters and hit a lot of the same food sources. I just don't see how deer supposedly come into more frequent contact on a corn pile than deer feeding in the same food plot, drinking out of the same water hole or rooting around the same oak tree. If that's the case however, than all man made food sources for the purposes of taking game should be illegal.
What realtree said . You keep the does on your place with the corn, and sooner or later the bucks will be in the same area looking for them. As always wind has to be considered . I also take some issue with the statement(s) that they only use the sites at night . I have some real interesting pics last two weeks in daylight ( also some night ) seems these bucks eat when they are hungry ! I don't use straight corn though, I mix 2 or 3 other ingredients and then throw in a handful of TR ground minerals . I will send them to someone who can post them , I still can't get it figured out , if anyone's interested .
Thanks for the replies. We have our deer weined over to 50/50 corn/ protien feed. I cant say that I have added any weight to the deer, but they come every day and I am getting pics of some old mature bucks in broad daylight enjoying the bait and salt.
jb3 said:
Too funny!
I love hearing people discuss baiting, food plots, etc...but a lot of states that produce great bucks (WY, IA, IL, OH) virtually do not allow gun hunting during the rut. So when a TN hunter talks about rifle hunting in Nov we get the look from he**! Its all about what you are used to. Me personally, I tried baiting in KY once. Between the raccoons, price of corn, and never having a single buck on camera touch the corn I gave up.
Maybe you could try soybeans or some of other attractant that your neighbors might not be using. Surely most things are cheaper than corn?
It was a learning experience ( i say that because I am tagged out) to say the least. I live the closest to the farm, so I did 90% of the feeder top offs and cam checks. Every time I refilled the feeders, I would put down a few pounds of sugar beet pulp shreds and a little luckybuck. EVERY single time I did a refresh, within a matter of hours, the oldest buck on the farm was the first deer to hit the bait, and he would walk past the corn to lick up the lucky buck and nibble on the beets. We had him coming to two different bait sites, and we drew for who got to hunt those sites opening weekend. I drew #4 out of 4 hunters, I was crushed! I ended up picking an out-of-the-way spot that was away from the "epicenter" of buck activity on a trail leading to the soybeans. On evening two I was lucky enough to tag a beauty of a velvet buck, but I also got to watch that oldest buck and two other shooters that evening.
My point: These bucks know when they are being hunted and can switch patterns the instance they detect hunting pressure. The bait sites accounted for ZERO sightings or shot opportunities opening weekend. The pre season baiting did allow us to photo all of the bucks, however. Go figure....
My point: These bucks know when they are being hunted and can switch patterns the instance they detect hunting pressure. The bait sites accounted for ZERO sightings or shot opportunities opening weekend. The pre season baiting did allow us to photo all of the bucks, however. Go figure....
Here is an article from the Arkansas Game and Fish commission about corn/native habitat. There are some interesting stats about days hunted over corn vs native habitat.
How�s your habitat?
Corn feeders vs. real habitat improvements-
By James Foster, AGFC Private Lands Biologist, Northeast Region
Do corn feeders allow me to see and kill more deer, bigger deer? Are there any negative effects of corn feeders on wildlife? Are corn feeders more beneficial than food plots? Is there a cost benefit of corn feeders over food plots? These are just some of the questions biologists are asked when talking to landowners concerning whether or not they should use corn feeders, food plots, work on their habitat or a combination.
Do corn feeders allow me to see and kill more deer, bigger deer? You decide. Research from South Carolina shows the vast majority of feeder visits by deer were at night. Check your own trail camera pictures and see if this is what you find. Another part of this study was to see if hunter effort and success was greater in baited or non-baited locations. The result was that it took 3.37 man-days for each harvested deer in baited locations and 1.16 man-days for each deer in non-baited locations.
Are there any negative effects of corn feeders on wildlife? It can be answered with a simple yes. Feeding has been known to increase disease transmission (parvo, canine distemper, bovine tuberculosis and mange). Corn has been known to harbor toxins and encourage their growth (E. coli, salmonella and aflatoxin). Congregating of animals at feeders can cause damage to surrounding vegetation. Also there can be an increase in predation of fawns along turkey and quail nest near feeders.
Are corn feeders more beneficial than food plots? Deer need a minimum of 16 percent protein for optimum growth (bone, muscle, milk production and antler development) and is critical to healthy deer populations. Food plots can provide from 16 to 30 percent protein, where corn only provides an average of 8 percent protein.
Is there a cost benefit of corn feeders versus food plots? It takes 4 tons of deer corn to provide the same protein as a 1-acre food plot. In 2013, an average 1-acre food plot cost $125 to establish and if properly established can produce as much as 2,000 to 10,000 pounds of food and greater than 640 pounds of crude protein. One ton of feed from a food plot costs $63 and a ton of deer corn cost $300. Plus, you don�t have to fill up feeders constantly, replace batteries and make repairs with food plots.
What about managing your existing forest and field habitat to provide food sources? Thinning an unmanaged forest and conducting prescribed burning can produce tons of food per acre while at the same time, providing fawning, bedding and escape cover for deer and nesting habitat for turkey. Have abandoned old fields and pastures? These can be managed through prescribed burning to produce abundant food and cover � increasing availability of native foods (that don�t require the expense of disking, lime or fertilizer) and creates bugging areas for turkey, critical for young turkeys. Prescribed burning of thinned forest or field systems can provide up to 2-4 years of food production and cover over significant acres versus planting a few acres of food plots every year.
If you feel there is a need to utilize feeders in your deer hunting program then there are some simple do�s and do not�s when you feed.
First the do�s. Spread feed over large areas, move feeding sites periodically, a minimum of every year; disperse bait in small amounts, place mineral licks and liquid attractant on stumps or logs that can be removed if necessary. Check aflatoxin rates � if greater than 20 parts per billion, don�t use. Avoid the use of supplemental feed during nesting and brood-rearing periods (May-August).
Now the do not�s. Do not pile feed on the ground or consistently use one spot/stump for baiting or mineral licks. Do not allow feed to stand in water. If using feeding troughs, cover the trough and drill holes in the bottom of the trough to allow drainage. Realize by the use of troughs you offer free range feeding by raccoons, feral hogs and other animals that can pose problems to deer and wildlife. Do not use feed that is molded, has fungus or is discolored and do not use feed near areas prone to increase people-animal conflicts (near roads or houses) or people-people conflicts (near property boundary lines).
One simple fact to remember. You get your biggest bang for your time and money in food production and wildlife cover by managing your existing habitat. Food plots should only be a small part of your overall wildlife management plan.
It�s not too late to plant fall food plots. All of September and early October plots can be planted.
How�s your habitat?
Corn feeders vs. real habitat improvements-
By James Foster, AGFC Private Lands Biologist, Northeast Region
Do corn feeders allow me to see and kill more deer, bigger deer? Are there any negative effects of corn feeders on wildlife? Are corn feeders more beneficial than food plots? Is there a cost benefit of corn feeders over food plots? These are just some of the questions biologists are asked when talking to landowners concerning whether or not they should use corn feeders, food plots, work on their habitat or a combination.
Do corn feeders allow me to see and kill more deer, bigger deer? You decide. Research from South Carolina shows the vast majority of feeder visits by deer were at night. Check your own trail camera pictures and see if this is what you find. Another part of this study was to see if hunter effort and success was greater in baited or non-baited locations. The result was that it took 3.37 man-days for each harvested deer in baited locations and 1.16 man-days for each deer in non-baited locations.
Are there any negative effects of corn feeders on wildlife? It can be answered with a simple yes. Feeding has been known to increase disease transmission (parvo, canine distemper, bovine tuberculosis and mange). Corn has been known to harbor toxins and encourage their growth (E. coli, salmonella and aflatoxin). Congregating of animals at feeders can cause damage to surrounding vegetation. Also there can be an increase in predation of fawns along turkey and quail nest near feeders.
Are corn feeders more beneficial than food plots? Deer need a minimum of 16 percent protein for optimum growth (bone, muscle, milk production and antler development) and is critical to healthy deer populations. Food plots can provide from 16 to 30 percent protein, where corn only provides an average of 8 percent protein.
Is there a cost benefit of corn feeders versus food plots? It takes 4 tons of deer corn to provide the same protein as a 1-acre food plot. In 2013, an average 1-acre food plot cost $125 to establish and if properly established can produce as much as 2,000 to 10,000 pounds of food and greater than 640 pounds of crude protein. One ton of feed from a food plot costs $63 and a ton of deer corn cost $300. Plus, you don�t have to fill up feeders constantly, replace batteries and make repairs with food plots.
What about managing your existing forest and field habitat to provide food sources? Thinning an unmanaged forest and conducting prescribed burning can produce tons of food per acre while at the same time, providing fawning, bedding and escape cover for deer and nesting habitat for turkey. Have abandoned old fields and pastures? These can be managed through prescribed burning to produce abundant food and cover � increasing availability of native foods (that don�t require the expense of disking, lime or fertilizer) and creates bugging areas for turkey, critical for young turkeys. Prescribed burning of thinned forest or field systems can provide up to 2-4 years of food production and cover over significant acres versus planting a few acres of food plots every year.
If you feel there is a need to utilize feeders in your deer hunting program then there are some simple do�s and do not�s when you feed.
First the do�s. Spread feed over large areas, move feeding sites periodically, a minimum of every year; disperse bait in small amounts, place mineral licks and liquid attractant on stumps or logs that can be removed if necessary. Check aflatoxin rates � if greater than 20 parts per billion, don�t use. Avoid the use of supplemental feed during nesting and brood-rearing periods (May-August).
Now the do not�s. Do not pile feed on the ground or consistently use one spot/stump for baiting or mineral licks. Do not allow feed to stand in water. If using feeding troughs, cover the trough and drill holes in the bottom of the trough to allow drainage. Realize by the use of troughs you offer free range feeding by raccoons, feral hogs and other animals that can pose problems to deer and wildlife. Do not use feed that is molded, has fungus or is discolored and do not use feed near areas prone to increase people-animal conflicts (near roads or houses) or people-people conflicts (near property boundary lines).
One simple fact to remember. You get your biggest bang for your time and money in food production and wildlife cover by managing your existing habitat. Food plots should only be a small part of your overall wildlife management plan.
It�s not too late to plant fall food plots. All of September and early October plots can be planted.
Its a leased farm, outside of the food plots we are allowed to plant, we cant control the habitat at all. Boy, would I love to. This place has all the ingredients for developing an awesome farm. Rolling terrain, crops, crp, and timber in all stages of growth....there is some cattle/ pasture.
But the feeders allowed me to complete the most comprehensive and complete pre season census I have ever been able to conduct. I worked so hard on this farm from July till September that my buck season only lasted 2 days...
But the feeders allowed me to complete the most comprehensive and complete pre season census I have ever been able to conduct. I worked so hard on this farm from July till September that my buck season only lasted 2 days...
AKHunterNP
Member
BowGuy84 said:2 main times to kill bucks over bait and it is far from a sure thing.
1) early season...I killed my buck last year on Sep. 11 I think. He wasn't over bait but I had mature bucks on cameras at corn piles for about the first couple weeks of the season
2) late season in cold weather 2012 I killed my buck on Dec. 29 over bait. I'd patterned them for almost a month.
One other thing, most older bucks come to a feeder or corn pile after dark, and if they don't it is usually with what they think is the wind in their favor. Access and wind are crucial.
2013 buck
2012 buck
Stand Pic
Day light pic of 2013 surviror...in the process of getting on this deer now.
I think i shot this last one yesterday.
