HB 1618

[MidTennFisher]

you plant food plots correct??

He probably does because, unlike piles of moldy corn, food plots are excellent for all sorts of wildlife. While they both serve the same purpose, luring deer for us to kill, one is largely beneficial for deer, turkeys, and a whole list of other game and non-game species as well as requiring a significant amount of effort to create and maintain.

Whereas piles of corn require no effort other than going to Walmart to buy it, dump it on the ground, and it comes with a long list of negatives for many game and non-game species. This has been discussed at length by folks on here well versed in land/wildlife management.

 

[chris1976]

He probably does because, unlike piles of moldy corn, food plots are excellent for all sorts of wildlife. While they both serve the same purpose, luring deer for us to kill, one is largely beneficial for deer, turkeys, and a whole list of other game and non-game species as well as requiring a significant amount of effort to create and maintain.

Whereas piles of corn require no effort other than going to Walmart to buy it, dump it on the ground, and it comes with a long list of negatives for many game and non-game species. This has been discussed at length by folks on here well versed in land/wildlife management.

Ok, just hear me out. What if I rented equipment and spent weeks clearing out a few one acre plots in the woods. I kept them mowed and maintained all season. Then once season arrives instead of throwing some seeds on the ground I just broadcast corn. No piles, no turkey killing mold, deer no more concentrated than if it were a planted plot and I can replenish or not as season goes along. What would the argument be against this?

 

[MidTennFisher]

Ok, just hear me out. What if I rented equipment and spent weeks clearing out a few one acre plots in the woods. I kept them mowed and maintained all season. Then once season arrives instead of throwing some seeds on the ground I just broadcast corn. No piles, no turkey killing mold, deer no more concentrated than if it were a planted plot and I can replenish or not as season goes along. What would the argument be against this?

That you would be baiting deer or turkeys just like that would be considering baiting for doves or for waterfowl. It's just that you intentionally scattered the bait instead of putting it in a pile.

The aflatoxin problem may be reduced by doing this but it's still not beneficial to wildlife, all it does is make it really easy to kill a deer or turkey.

 

[chris1976]

That you would be baiting deer or turkeys just like that would be considering baiting for doves or for waterfowl. It's just that you intentionally scattered the bait instead of putting it in a pile.

The aflatoxin problem may be reduced by doing this but it's still not beneficial to wildlife, all it does is make it really easy to kill a deer or turkey.

If baiting is legalized this seems one of the best ways to do it. Absolutely no different than a harvested corn plot. If one acre is too small then just expand it. Any argument other wise is just arguing morals.

 

[timberjack86]

He probably does because, unlike piles of moldy corn, food plots are excellent for all sorts of wildlife. While they both serve the same purpose, luring deer for us to kill, one is largely beneficial for deer, turkeys, and a whole list of other game and non-game species as well as requiring a significant amount of effort to create and maintain.

Whereas piles of corn require no effort other than going to Walmart to buy it, dump it on the ground, and it comes with a long list of negatives for many game and non-game species. This has been discussed at length by folks on here well versed in land/wildlife management.

Why not just learn to hunt deer without any bait at all? I'm not directing this at you but this goes to all that plant plots and throw out bait.

 

[MidTennFisher]

Why not just learn to hunt deer without any bait at all? I'm not directing this at you but this goes to all that plant plots and throw out bait.

I don't see an issue with food plots simply because they provide so much benefit to game animals. I've killed deer in hardwoods and I've also killed them over a food plot. Food plots provide so much benefit for the deer and other wildlife without all the negatives you get from a pile of corn. Sure it's easier than hunting hardwoods but as more and more hardwoods disappear to be turned into crappy subdivisions and strip malls, something has to be done to keep a solid, huntable population of deer in the areas where people want to hunt them.

Even in the rural areas we're seeing a lot of hardwoods completely demolished so that people from California can buy 5 "pasture" acres for $300k because they're scared of bugs.

And I'm a big fan of food plots being maintained on WMAs. I'd never hunt over them because I wouldn't expect to see anything once the pressure starts, but with such an increase in hunters on a decreasing resource, I'm glad TWRA works with farmers to plant plots to keep a healthy deer herd.