Ted Nugent YouTube Clip Graces the MNO Home Page

[Steve-o]

Nugent's claim is that there isn't anything wrong with baiting deer and that it should never be legislated.  Thank God we still live in a country were states still have the authority to make laws for themselves.

Any rube can argue the logical aspects of baiting deer and be persuasive.  There have been plenty of years where I saw 0 or 1 deer on public land opening weekend in north central Minnesota (including this one) and wondered if things would be different with a bushel of corn spilled under my tree.  But The Nuge is missing the point.

Hunting is a cultural experience and cultures are localized.  Baiting deer is something we don't do here and I am fine with that.  I personally recoil at the thought of using dogs to hunt big game, but acknowledge that this culturally acceptable and legally in other parts of the country.

If Ted wants to hunt in my state – or any other – he can follow the laws and not complain about them when he gets caught breaking them.  As a sportsman, wish he would get off my side.

What say ye?

[Cody Gruchow]

there is no sportsman out there who makes sure his voice is heard more than the NUG. i have respect for him and dont want him off my side. theres lots of different aspects to look at baiting, food plots, mineral and salt licks hunting on freshly picked corn or bean fields and the list goes on.....

[MTCOMMER]

Even though I agree with him on many issues, this is one that I dont.  Sure, it is logical to compare baiting deer to bear and fish - but most people are OK with that because there are ways around it.
So, I guess I can say I do agree with him a little, I say legalize baiting - people do it now, also people use all sorts of attractants (doe estrus), food scents, food plots, etc to try to get deer to them (granted, a food plot is a permanent source of food).
I just see it this year, each hunter has their own goals during the season, and are happy if they are fulfilled.  Some people want meat on the table, others just want to harvest a deer for pure sport, others want to take a large/mature buck and some just like to sit out in the woods and watch the deer - not too apt to shoot one, but will if they have a nice shot that they are confident with.
People get out of hunting what they put in.  If someone puts out a pile of corn and shoots a huge buck - good for them, but is that really a true trophy, to them maybe.  Some guys want to shoot a large buck over a food plot, with no baiting, just knowing their plot is giving a source of food for deer throughout the year.  Others have a small kid that is getting into hunting, but have trouble seeing deer, so they put out some bait in hopes that a deer will come by so their child can feel the thrill of harvesting a deer.
We will always have the debate about baiting, I just say legalize it and let people do it if they want to, personally, I wouldnt bait even if I could and I have a feeling alot of others would say the same.
Just my $0.02

[Onin24Eagle]

Can’t say that I agree with him on the baiting.  His baiting a hook/baiting bear argument sounds logical at first but you don’t get the other side of the story.  The other side also has a very valid argument.  Disease.  Bovine TB, Foot and Mouth disease and other similar problems that have decimated deer and elk herds in other parts of the country need to be kept in check.  These diseases spread very easily from nose to nose contact between the animals.  If you dump a pile of corn on the ground and it’s concentrated in one spot, there can be many deer that come to feed on that same pile all at once.  The likelihood that they come into direct contact with each other is increased by leaps and bounds.  If one of these deer has been infected, it can quickly spread the disease through the herd if they’re all eating off of the same pile of food.  That’s what’s different about “spilled corn from a combine” vs “spilled corn placed strategically by a deer stand”.  The corn from the combine is likely spread out throughout the field.  The deer do not necessarily need to concentrate on a 4 square foot area.  They’re in a 300 acre field so the likelihood that they come into direct contact while eating corn is a lot less.

I love Ted.  I want him on my side as a sportsman.  He has the means and the resources to get his message out.  Although I may not agree with all of his views, he is still an avid 2nd amendment and hunting rights advocate.  There are some clips of him on Youtube that he rants about other game laws where I agree 100% with him.  For instance, there are 11 states with areas that are closed to hunting on Sundays.  I agree.  That’s stupid. 

Bottom line is this.  If there’s a law in place that you don’t agree with, then you need to get enough people on your side that can petition to get the laws changed.  Just because you think it’s a dumb law, it’s still a law and must be obeyed.  I’m glad I don’t live somewhere where I can’t hunt on Sundays, but if I did….well, I wouldn’t hunt on Sundays.  Just the way it is.  I’d also call/write/email my congressman almost every day until they changed it. 

Baiting in Minnesota is illegal.  Period.  Personally, I like it that way.  If you disagree, then try to get the Minnesota legislature to change it.  But just because you think it’s dumb doesn’t mean it’s ok to do it.  Besides, I think you lose your gun and 3 years of hunting privileges if you’re caught.  Can’t say I’d want to risk that just so I could shoot a deer.

[snow]

ole uncle Ted always makes a good argument and I have to agree with him on this issue,Iam was surprised to here we have 11 states where hunting is "out lawed",never could figure out the "no huntng" on sunday deal in some states and canada.

[Joe@deerhunters]

You may want to ask folks in Wisconsin how much they like baiting before you agree it should be legal in MN. I started hunting in Wisconsin at an early age before baiting became the norm.  My friends still there feel it has scared the sport and created a culture of shooters lacking woodsmenship skills.  I say no way and do not by any of his arguement comparing scents, food plots and calls.  Not logical at all in my opinion. And like him I can have an opinion too.

Yeah, I guess an apple tree is bait while it has apples then they are gone. If you continue to pile the apples under the tree it is baiting. Same with an oak or a cut bean field. Hunt it when it has food.

If you simply made a list of good and bad. The bad side of baiting out wieghs the good. It is not needed to hunt deer and we are better off without it in Minnesota. Keep it out.

[Joe@deerhunters]

I went back and watched it again.  Totally agree on Sunday hunting issue. Bad laws.
 
He mentions opportunity one sure way to limit opportunity it to allow people to lay claim to areas by using bait piles.  Ask any state where this is legal and you will hear of people becoming very possesive over public lands that they have a bait station established.

 No this is not like bear hunting which is lottery tag based so in theory the number of hunters is supposed to be controlled to some extent. Deer hunting is over the counter tags with limited public lands.  This surely will limit opportunity and therefore makes sense that it remains a law governed by game departments charged with as Nuge says ensuring opportunity.

[snow]

I don't care one way or the other about "baiting" deer, but his point is clear,hunt next to a standing corn or bean field,your okay,put out a bunch of corn or apples your in trouble.I never liked how folks bait bear or chase them with dogs,isn't really hunting in my book,but its legal.

Gotta admitt his has strong opinions~

Tim

[Mayfly]

It sucks enough that we have to deal with back yard feeders where I hunt! Try patterning a deer that has so much to choose from. It screws up their natural travel and food habits. Now imagine if we had to deal with a bunch of goof balls hunting over bait piles.

And as for kids and the experience? My daughter is 5 and I am sure that even her would have more fun HUNTING a deer rather than sitting over a bait pile and shooting deer. Seeing even that one deer that you have set up on correctly is reward enough.

I think we all agree here that we like to "Hunt".

[deadeye]

I would like to thank everyone who posted there opinions in this thread.  It was refreshing to see all the opinions without any slamming or name calling.  Thanks guys!   I know this is a touchy subject to some folks and there are some gray lines between "baiting", "food plots", and "mineral/scent stations".  One thing not mentioned is the slippery slope we probably would get into if baiting were allowed.  It would become a competition to have the biggest/best bait. I think those who say "do it if you want but I won't" might change their minds when all the deer in their area flock to the neighbors bait pile.  Several years ago I won a feeder at a pheasents forever banquet.  As an experiment we put it out where my son was living.  This was basically in a town and didn't look like there was a deer for miles.  With in a week, a number of deer were visiting the feeder.  As long as the feeder had corn, deer would come.  I have no idea where they came from or lived but most nights you could shine a light and see them.   Soon after the corn was gone, the deer would be gone.  I was truely amazed at their ability to locate a food source.   

[MTCOMMER]

That is the same idea behind my house - yet we have woods but its in the middle of the city, but there has always been deer behind us.  However, we only tend to see them when our bird feeders are full.
I got my trail cam in the mail today, so I spread out a little bird food and I saw about 8 deer this evening and we havent seen them for a few days.
Indeed it is a touchy subject.  Since I have not been subject to hunting around baiters, or with baiters or in a state where baiting is legal, I am not sure of the changes like those who live in Wisco.  I think it is important for those who hunt Wisco to explain what they are seeing, etc.  My stance most likely will change as I hear more about the topic, but as of now, Either allow baiting, or ban all types of attractants/scents (like Doe Estrus, Acorn leaves, all that stuff that is 'legal' now.)

[Bradc00]

Thats a great clip