The subject of hunting game over bait has long been a point of controversy and what I say here will probably not change the mind of anyone with an opinion on the subject, but I will attempt to describe my point of view. I am a bowhunter and my views on this subject will address the unique aspects from a bowhunters point of view.

 

I realize that hunting over a feeder or bait station is not an option in some parts of the country and I also realize that some hunters do not prefer this method of hunting even in areas where it is allowed. I don’t believe a person is any less a hunter just because they choose to hunt over bait.

 

First of all, I hunt in Texas where hunting over automatic corn feeders is legal and an accepted practice. Make no mistake about it – this does not give the hunter an unfair advantage and certainly does not make hunting a “gimme”!  Concealment is still a factor. The hunter’s skill level is still a factor. Scent control and wind direction are still factors.

 

Is it fair to the animal? Some would say no. I believe it is. Generally speaking, a feeding animal is a relaxed animal and for a bowhunter, a relaxed animal offers a much better opportunity to make a shot that will result in a quick, humane kill.  Anyone who hunts whitetail deer are well aware of this animal’s lightening fast reflexes. Trying to make a clean shot on an animal that is already on full alert can be very difficult. Hunting over bait can make that possible by concentrating the deer’s attention on the food and not so much on his/her surroundings. With the animal’s eyes fixed on the ground, the hunter has a better chance at coming to full draw without being detected.

 

Placing a feeder in an area does not automatically insure that every game animal in the area will visit, anymore than hunting a particular game trail will insure a shot at all the game that travels it. There are just too many other factors to influence game movement in either situation.

 

Hunting over an automatic feeder or bait station isn’t all that far removed from hunting over natural food sources such as crop fields, an oak ridge , or apple or persimmon orchards. Basically, the difference is in the size of the bait pile and the method of delivery. All the other factors are still the same – wind/scent, concealment, skill, etc.

 

One thing hunting over bait does do is give the hunter a chance to study the animal before making a quick shot at a fleeting animal. A hunter can be much more selective by having the opportunity to study the animals coming to the feeder and do a better job of game managing his property.

 

Hunting over bait is simply another method to accomplish what we all strive for – a quick clean kill  of the animals we pursue.

 

by John Shelley