Baiting: What's the Draw?

Okay, I suppose I should tread lightly here on this topic. But my point isn't to offend or make judgement. I'm just genuinely curious. As I've posted recently, the state of Michigan recently had its first confirmed case of Chronic Wasting Disease. As part of its CWD response plan, the state of Michigan issued an immediate ban on baiting and feeding of deer in the Lower Peninsula.

This news generated a tremendous amount of response from Michigan hunters -- many of which called the move a "knee jerk reaction" that wasn't warranted. Personally, I'm thinking that CWD has the ability to destroy the hunting world as I know it here in my home state. If baiting can spread the disease, I want it stopped. Completely.

Now, there are all kinds of discussion that can be had about baiting ranging from the ethics of its use to the impact it has on deer movements. In northern range, there is substantial evidence that shows heavy use of bait can delay the natural winter migration of whitetails. A delayed migration means the animals are late getting to suitable winter cover. And that means they die when the weather turns really, really bad.

But in many areas of the state, with Texas immediately coming to mind, the use of feeders is so common that there's not a second thought given to the practice. Texas, like Michigan, has high numbers of deer and, I assume, pretty high deer densities per square mile as well. Yet, I don't recall hearing much controversy over the use of bait and feeders there. Saskatchewan hunters can also tell you that if you're hunting the big woods, you're hunting bait. Yet, again, I don't believe I've heard much controversy over the practice there.

So why is baiting such a hot-button issue here in the Midwest? Don't get me wrong: I fully support Michigan's decision to ban bait in light of the discovery of CWD. And as a hunter who has seen how big-woods deer respond to bait in northern Michigan, I'm certain that baiting can promote nocturnal behavior in heavily-hunted deer and thus negatively impact your success. That said, there is clearly a reason that some deer-rich regions swear by its use.

Perhaps the Midwest is unique from the other mentioned regions where feeding is the accepted norm. I'd love to hear what other hunters from other regions think.

Anyone got some feedback for me?

Tony Hansen, Michigan Man