Baiting Deer in MN

[NaturesRespect]

Its illegal to bait in MN yes? if so why do they sell baits and lures at the stores? I was thinking of ways to attract deer but they all fall into BAITING and Im not the guy to break the law. I once ate a apple and just when i was going to toss it (its a fruit it will rot its not littering)my dad told me to scrape the rest of it on the tree and leave the rest on the ground i asked why he said it will attract a deer. That got me thinking if deer like apples what if i poured some apple juice on the ground or toss some apples out but wait! thats baiting right? What should i do to try to attract deer to my area?

[JimmyJames]

Scout and set up where the deer are, no cheating.

[matchset]

fertilize oak trees, prune naturally growing fruit trees, plant food plots

[Powerstroke]

Its illegal to bait for hunting within 10 days of the season. You are however allowed to "feed" or otherwise spread bait or lures at any other point outside the hunting season.

You can use minerals and animal scents as long as they don't contain any food products.

If you hunt where deer are you won't need to "attract" deer to your area.

Why do stores sell these products? Because its legal to feed in this state and its legal to bait in states like Wisconsin. So, its up the the buyer to know the laws in their area.

[harvey lee]

You got it Andy. Many states allow baiting including North Dakota.

[pulleye16]

you said it James...Why don't you actually try to "HUNT" deer?

[lakevet]

If you think it might be baiting it probably is, especially ethically. Putting an electric fence around a food plot then taking it down right before season may be legal but definitely ethically is baiting to me. Waterfowl baiting laws are right to the point.

If by placing any consumable material there is any intent waterfowl to attract so you can harvest the bird, then it is baiting not hunting. That prevents all the hair splitting we are in about what is bait that we have with deer hunting.

Don't hear any arguments about baiting with waterfowl.

Also definition of bait for deer varies greatly from state to state. I believe that Illinois and possibly Iowa doesn't allow salt of any kind. States vary so much in regs, you can find a state to back a variety of points of view.

Theodore Roosevelt shot his first deer by "shining" with a guide after dark. It was legal and considered ethical at that time. Still it felt wrong to him and he didn't do it again. If you feel you are cheating, even though it's legal, just don't do it.

JimmyJames has it right. You are a hunter, not a livestock farmer fattening animals for market.

lakevet

[lakevet]

Just checked Iowa and Illinois DNR websites. In those states even salt and mineral blocks are considered bait and as such are illegal. So anyone pushing for more big bucks like Iowa and llinois should also push for banning baiting with salt .

lakevet

[NaturesRespect]

thanks guys... I know that scents and lures like doe urine is legal but anything they can consume is illegal right? my uncle used a drag scent and it worked for him. i was just figuring ways to attract deer but when it is illegal i will never do it. thanks guys for keeping me out of jail lol