Is Buck Jam/ Molasses Bait?

[analyzer]

the regs say minerals, salt, scents are not bait if they don't contain food...

Buck Jam is a liquid mineral with artificial flavoring...

IS it bait?

What about strt molasses or stump likker?

[hookset]

YEP,

I belive any food sent is considered baiting.

[Gissert]

Definately bait. Any product other than mineral is considered bait. This includes the mineral blocks that have little chunks of apple and/or corn in them.

Molasses, stump likker, block topper, are all considered to be bait in the eyes of the law.

If you are looking to put out a mineral station, the deer don't have much interest in them this time of year. Next spring, however, they will use them heavily.

[DooWap]

I wouldn't touch it unless it's straight salt, Buck Jam is for sure bait, so unless you wanna have a spendy season with the ticket, I'd leave at home until next preseason.

[mille lacs muskie bum]

I saw a comercial on the stuff and the guy said that it was not considered bait.

[Mark Christianson]

Each state has different rules. I wouldnt go by a commercial.

I would stear clear of this just to be safe. My opinion is that you would get tagged by hunting over this.

[analyzer]

Thanks for your feedback, I guess I'll steer clear. I put some out a week and a half ago (more than 10days prior) to be safe...but was curious as to whether I needed to be that careful.

[Rugbyguy]

According to the ingredient labels, Buck Jam would appear to be legal. If only has salt and mineral. Stumplicker is NOT legal as it contains molasses. As stated earlier, the mineral products are not going to be attractants this time of the year.

[chucker34]

What gives the BuckJam different flavors, though. I have to think its an artificial flavor and not salt. Salt can't taste like peanut butter on its own. Artificial flavoring would be a "food" that was placed there for the purpose of attracting deer.

On the other hand, I believe that food scents are legal - that gel you can buy that smells like corn or apples but that the deer would not find tasty in the least - but I'm not sure you'd have much luck with them after the first time the deer sniffed around and found nothing.

[Kodiak]

how about someone calls the dnr and posts what they find out.

[Kodiak]

Just called the dnr-

BUCK JAM is LEGAL- there are no chunks in it, just got off the phone, they are familiar with the product, it is legal to use. NOT A FOOD PRODUCT

[SSSTaxidermy]

I would have to assume we will see an additional change in the regulations again for 2007. As I agree with what chucker34 stated...If they truly serious about getting a handle on this, the rules are going to get very detailed...

[chucker34]

Kodiak, I believe you and didn't mean any disrespect but also wanted to call for myself because I'm sometimes a see it to believe it kinda guy. The woman I spoked with said Buck Jam was fine as was Stump Licker. "But it has molasses, I said?" Molasses is fine, she said. I stand humbly corrected. I guess I just can't believe its not considered a food that attracts deer but no need to carry on about it.

[lcornice]

Quote:

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Kodiak, I believe you and didn't mean any disrespect but also wanted to call for myself because I'm sometimes a see it to believe it kinda guy. The woman I spoked with said Buck Jam was fine as was Stump Licker. "But it has molasses, I said?" Molasses is fine, she said. I stand humbly corrected. I guess I just can't believe its not considered a food that attracts deer but no need to carry on about it.

---

Anything with molasses would be illegal. Remember, food illegal ... no food legal.

[chucker34]

That's what I would think but the DNR information hotline told me Stump Likker with molasses as an ingredient ... legal. So apparently its still not so black and white.

[Kodiak]

pour it down while you can!! haha

[chucker34]

I'm actually not going to use it for a variety of reasons but I digress. I still don't think it would be that powerful an attractant during hunting season anyway since it mineral-based. I was just interested in calling the DNR to find out what the scoop is.

I'm not blaming the stores but its confusing for someone who does want to put something out - or put something out late summer and doesn't want to have to dig it out of the ground or whatever to be legal during hunting season.

Most of the stores have jugs of all sorts of mineral-based attractants next to regular jugs of stock grade molasses. And then they have salt blocks next to mineral blocks next mineral blocks with artificial fruit flavoring next to mineral blocks with chunks of corn and other goodies in them. So a mineral block is legal but is a mineral block with articifial or flavoring or molasses mixed in? Yes according to the DNR but not the ones with the food chunks in them. Stores should really put up a sign reminding hunters to thoroughly check the DNR regs concerning these items.

[chucker34]

I also forgot to mention earlier that I sent an e-mail on this subject to the DNR. I usually do that on any questions I have - send an e-mail and make a phonecall to see if the responses differ.

I'd tend to trust the one I get in writing and here it is. Indeed molasses is considered a food product by the "specialist" in this area at the DNR. So lesson learned is it pays to get multiple opinions before accepting one as the truth.

BTW, lcornice, I agreed with you that it had to be a food product but was just letting you know what the DNR person told me on the phone at the time.

Here is the message:

"Charles,

My name is Al Heidebrink and I am the Law Enforcement Operations Manager for MN DNR.

Your email was forwarded to me since I have been the contact person for the Media on baiting issues.

There are all kinds of products being sold to attract deer. Without going over every products ingredients it is very hard to say which ones are legal, but the best indicator is whether or not the product has feed or food by products in the product.

Scents, artificial flavoring, minerals, and salt would be legal. A product that contained grain or pieces of apples or molasses which is a by product of sorghum would be illegal.

Hope this helps, but if you have more questions give me a call. My information is listed below..."

[Kodiak]

should have asked if buck jam and some other brand names where legal? what are they gonna do bust out a test kit and test it to see if it has molasses in it or natural sugar?

[chucker34]

I did. I asked them is a product like BuckJam with artificial flavors was legal.

No. I doubt they'd break out a test kit unless they thought it was a blatant violation. Guess its up to each individual to follow the letter of the law. But you never know, they could just break out that test kit if they decide to start making a point.