The move from a no-baiting zone to allowing baiting for deer may find many deer hunters in the Upstate lacking for knowledge in how to effectively go about it. Like any other hunting strategy, there’s a wrong way and a right way to use the tactic.
Several years ago, Les Smith, a hunter from northern Mississippi, found himself in a similar situation after that state legalized baiting. An avid hunter and quality deer management follower, Smith sought to integrate the practice into the nearly 1,500 acres he managed.
“Just dumping corn on the ground was not what worked here,” he said. “In fact, it’s written into our law that the bait cannot be within 100 yards of the hunter’s stand or in a direct line of sight. We quickly figured out that it was better to use the bait to coordinate social situations than actually feed deer. We still maintain high-quality food plots for feeding. The corn is more like the ice cream truck rolling by.”
Using high-capacity deer feeders, Smith and his club members schedule feeding sessions three to four times a day: twice in the morning and once or twice in the afternoon. He programs the feeders to deliver a ration of bait at the same time every day.
“Typically, the does and fawns come running,” Smith said. “We see them moving across the open areas but can’t see them feeding because of the line-of-sight law. But I believe the best way to get a buck’s attention is by parading members of the opposite sex in front of him on a regular basis. If he knows several does are going to come out of this area and move into that area, he’s going to be watching, and at some point, he’ll make his move, which, depending on the buck in question, is when I decide if I’m going to make my move.”
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