Deer hunting ?

[Whitetail hunter]

I've been hunting whitetail all my life up here in Northern Minnesota. No farms or fields nearby, just big woods, and swamps. Like I say, I've hunted the same area for years, and have had the deer pretty well paterned. Pretty much know the bedding areas, and some funnels, etc. This year, some nearby hunters started baiting the deer heavily. I happend on to the area, and found a large area full of corn, apples, etc. Its really changed the hunting, and I'm kind of at a loss as to what to do about it. If I confront them face to face, and don;t get any kind of positve response, then if they get caught they'll figure I'm the one who turned them in sure as heck. It's a bad situation, and I just wish people could be ethical, and play by the rules! By the way baiting of deer here in MN. is illegal, but unfortunetly it is becomming more widespread. Any thoughts?

[Bad Finger]

Yes,

Call TIP - Turn In Poachers. The number in on your hunting license.

[HAWGBOY]

iF THEY ARE RICH GUYS JUST OUT FOR THE BIG RACK, TURN THEM IN.

[Bad Finger]

TIP 1-800-652-9093

[Bad Finger]

Turn them in regardless of how much money they have.

I have to stop now before there is nothing but cus words coming through my finger tips....

[Whitetail hunter]

I know calling tip is the thing to do, but I also know they will retaliate against me, probably cutting down my stands etc. A friend of mine said, ah heck everybody does it nowadays, I sure hope not. I will probably call tip, but it's not a good situation.

[DJA]

Get yourself a Hog or a Calf, and every day or Two go and get a bucket of feed from their pile and feed your animal, before you know it, you'll have some good eating!

Seriously- it's amazing how many people can contort the rules and laws to suit their unethical behavior then preach to everyone about the criminals that deer hunt!

[Pitts]

They can feed the deer in MN all they want if it is on their private land or if it is on public property it is perfectly legal.
The part that is illegal is if they set up and hunt over their bait pile.
If they are feeding legally so as to insure the deer are fat and make it through the rough winter up there then you will have to adapt to the changes in habit from the norm in the deer you are hunting because of a new food source.


Pitts

[Nameless]

If turning them in isn't an option, spoil the bait area. But what do you want people to suggest? If it's illegal, you have a moral obligation to turn them in. How do you know they aren't already peeing on your stands? That might be why your not seeing deer. Become mobile, carry your stand in and use strap on steps. Don't give in to fear. In regards to your friend stating that everybody does it -if your kid tries that line, does it work? By tolarating it
you will allow the practice to spread.

Give the tip folks all the info you can. Nearest access, GPS #'s. names, etc.

It might be a little tougher with laws that vary state to state and where to draw the line in general might seem tougher than it used to be but its not. Don't like a law? There are mechanisms for change. Do you ever drive over the speed limit? If so, you are endangering the lives of others - whats more important, some dumb deer or people? How about both are important. A Sheriff once told me that he doesn't enforce the law, the judge does. If you are a good citizen, you are obligated to do your job and forward all available information to the law.

[Nameless]

BTW can't see where talking to them could get a positive response. kinda funny to think about...Hi, I just happened over your way and noticed you are illegally baiting deer and ... wouldn't expect an offer to stay for dinner (venison).

Also, if you do call tip and switch to carrying your stand in without having the expected stands that are left out, they will know it was you for sure. Give them a couple of low cost stands to tear up if they are so inclined. Low price to pay for getting things back to what you want.

? Feeding vs baiting - how far away do you have to be to hunt legally? Any trail leading to food off limits? Is hunting food plots allowed in Mn?

[jim c]

hunt somewhere else,sneak into this area at night,pee on the corn feed or sperad some crap leave no tracks report them later on ,dont get involver directly ,report to gamewarden .I know this works..

[Walizz 1]

Next season if the baiting is still going on try this. Have your barber save up a garbage bag of floor sweepings, save up some of your urine(distateful but effective) in those big plastic soda bottles. Apply this to baiting area. I hunt in Price and Onieda counties in WI. Found a baiting area with stands in the National Forest roughly 100 by 100 ft. It worked for me. Not a sign of activity after that. Baiting makes deer more nocturnal and changes their feeding habits quite drastically. I'm totally against it , as is my hunting group. I may take some flak here over my reply but my skin is thick enough to take it. When people bait to this extent on public land they have the notion that the land is theirs and all others should stay away.
There, I feel better now.

[Hunter]

Turn them in!! Theres no excuse for breaking the laws.

If not, call all your buddies over, buy a couple cases of beer, get everyone to drink up, and go for a walk! Pee on theyre parade!!!!

[Same problem]

"Whitetail hunter". I have a similar problem, except I (we) have a hunting shack in the area, which complicates matters. We found a large feeding pile last year and were very upset about it. We had wondered why we weren't seeing any deer. (I've hunted the same area for nearly 40 yrs. so I recognized the change). The pile acted like a magnet. In fact,the deer were bedding around it. We weren't seeing anything. We thought about confronting them, but worried about retaliation, such as burning our shack. We let it go, hoping they would stop baiting. This year I saw only one deer, a buck, which I shot. While field dressing it, I noticed it was full of whole corn. They were still baiting. I called TIPS. The woman I talked to wasn't sure if it was illegal (I told her it was), and said she'd get back to me if I'd give her my phone no. Instead, I told her to give me the phone no. of the DNR officer in my area. I tried calling the officer (*67 to disable caller ID), but his phone wouldn't accept the call. So much so being anonymous! So where do we go from here? These guys, who have chosen to break the law, have essentially ruined the hunt for others who hunt in the same area. Do we break the law also, and bait, so we can see some deer? We won't do that! It would be nice if we could just appeal to their sense of sportsmanship and resolve the situation pleasantly, but you know that won't happen.

[RANGER]

I would, personally, turn them in - period. If you are worried about retaliation, and I can understand that, call your State Police. Tell them of your concerns about retaliation from, "These guys that are setting up baiting areas to poach deer"! It certainily isn't "hunting" so it is NOT a misnomer. Then stand back and watch the sparks fly. I can nearly guarantee you that SOMETHING will happen if the State boys/girls get involved. At the very least - Intrastate transporting of illegally obtained Game without a permit, or something like that.

[AquaMan]

As posted above, feeding is legal in MN. In fact you can feed the deer while you are hunting as long as you are at least 100 yeards from the food AND you do not have a direct line of sight to the food area.

I know several DNR guys that hunt some state land in LOTW, MN that borders private land. The land owner sets out several hay bails and corn one one side of the property and hunts the other. Though it messed up the hunt for them (The DNR hunters), the land owner complied with the law and hunted over 200 years away on the other side of a hill. They were in contact with the local CO and he was aware of the situation and confirmed the compliance. So if that is the case, adjust your hunting patturns as best you can.

HOWEVER....if the hunters are hunting OVER the food or within the distance limits, then turn them in pronto. If you are affraid of retailiation, then they beat you out of a lot more then just good deer hunting.


AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It all begins and ends at the water's edge...

[Hunter]

Same Problem,

I had several interactions with the conservation officers this deer season. One officer we dealt with every time they were sent in(someone was playing games), told us he will not investigate any call that is left annonymously on his phone line. It is just too dangerous, he may be "set-up" I cant blame him for that!

Every phone call they get annonymously on a tips line they will investigate, this way it is unknown "who" is coming to investigate. Most officers if you talk to them and give them your real name/address/phone, will investigate and if you tell them not to mention you, they wont! You help them out, theyll bend over backwards for you!

[Bad Finger]

Looks like the MN DNR is taking another look at this rule. I, for one hope baiting becomes illegal during the firearms season.

See Link - Source Outdoor News:

http://www.outdoornews.com/outdoornews/myarticles.asp?P=521022&S=504&PubID=7951&EC=0