Q for the Master Baiters

[DBCooper]

I'm taking a friend to a property I rarely hunt, in hopes that he might get himself a shot at a deer with his bow.

If I put out some corn before this rain, will the rain affect it to the point they won't eat it? I've heard it will "sour". I have no idea of the time frame required for that to occur.

Thanks.

 

[Ridgeline66]

Right now they are hungry and mine won't lay around long enough to sour, but after peak rut and gun they have went mainly night i'm just hoping to get a doe last week.

 

[DBCooper]

So just the fact it gets wet.....doesn't mean it goes "bad"? It takes some time (after it gets wet)?

 

[dc bigdaddy]

it takes a little time for it to go "bad" but I really don't think it will lay there long enough to sour if there are many deer and tree rats and masked bandits.

 

[hayco10]

It may germinate as well, if we get some warm sunny days offer the rain...

 

[deepbreath]

If you can find cob corn in your area that’s your best bet. It will last a long time.

 

[DBCooper]

Thanks. There’s plenty of deer (and I’m sure-raccoons) where I’m headed.

Thanks again.

 

[LanceR]

Having raised field corn and soy in rotation for years I can assure you that dry grain will still be palatable to deer in early spring.


Lance

 

[turkeyfoot]

If you can find cob corn in your area that’s your best bet. It will last a long time.

This is way is go but if not you'll be fine that corn can be hunted and will be long gone before spoils

 

[Buxndiverdux]

Spread it out and you should be fine.

 

[DBCooper]

Thanks guys. I probably average putting out 50#/yr ?

 

[hillbillypossum]

Cold as it is you will be fine. Just don't pour it in standing water!

 

[Ambush]

Thanks guys. I probably average putting out 50#/yr ?

Your poor deer. We average 1000lbs/month year round. Keeps them happy and at home. This year we’re going full bore for antler growth improvement.

 

[DBCooper]

Your poor deer. We average 1000lbs/month year round. Keeps them happy and at home. This year we’re going full bore for antler growth improvement.

And your results most likely reflect your efforts ?

 

[bshobbs]

Spread it and they will come... if it sours or ferments, you will have some drunks running around.

Sent from my SM-J737V using Tapatalk

 

[Ambush]

And your results most likely reflect your efforts ?

Yes, mature bucks killed on our property. Lose one across the line occasionally.

 

[DBCooper]

Trust me. I have nothing against baiting. I’m either going to bait on one property next year - or plant food plots.

Can’t argue with results. Good for you.

 

[sky hawk]

Spread it thin. Rain doesn't bother it too much, but if it's going to rain a lot, sometimes I'll wait until after it passes. I do see a slight preference for dry corn over really soaked corn.

The main problem is when non-master baiters just dump the bag in a pile, then it sours quickly with rain.

 

[DBCooper]

Spread it thin. Rain doesn't bother it too much, but if it's going to rain a lot, sometimes I'll wait until after it passes. I do see a slight preference for dry corn over really soaked corn.

The main problem is when non-master baiters just dump the bag in a pile, then it sours quickly with rain.

Duly noted.

 

[Ambush]

Trust me. I have nothing against baiting. I’m either going to bait on one property next year - or plant food plots.

Can’t argue with results. Good for you.

Yes, we not only feed to bring in deer during deer season to shoot. We feed year round to build and keep deer on our property. We’re spending more on high protein and fat feed and less on food plots going forward. Banks feeders work nicely. Rain on corn this time of year is perfect.

 

[DBCooper]

That thing (Banks) looks great.

Can you secure it to the 4x4 pretty well anti-theft)? I know someone could just cut the post, but that would require a little effort.

Thanks.

 

[Ambush]

That thing (Banks) looks great.

Can you secure it to the 4x4 pretty well anti-theft)? I know someone could just cut the post, but that would require a little effort.

Thanks.

We use the 4X4 post that works nicely, but we haven’t had to worry about theft...so far.

 

[hayco10]

If you can find cob corn in your area that’s your best bet. It will last a long time.

Unless you have lots of squirrels, they take a cob at a time and store it away in a nest or hollow tree. I put out 50 pounds and there was no sign of it after 3 days. I watched the tree rats taking most of it away

 

[DBCooper]

While I have the masters here, I have two more questions:

1. How many feeding stations would you suggest for 100 acres?

2. Same q re: mineral sites.

Thanks

 

[Ambush]

Unless you have lots of squirrels, they take a cob at a time and store it away in a nest or hollow tree. I put out 50 pounds and there was no sign of it after 3 days. I watched the tree rats taking most of it away

I rarely use cob because of that. One squirrel can take 10 cobs/hour. Works better in the open though, where the hawks can pick them up.

 

[turkeyfoot]

In no master but it would kinda depend on how 100 acres lays some 2 would be it but if it borders land with multiple bedding and mixed habitat I could see 3 or 4. Some land hunts better for small acreage. If say 100 hardwood the 2 wood be it for me

 

[Ambush]

While I have the masters here, I have two more questions:

1. How many feeding stations would you suggest for 100 acres?

2. Same q re: mineral sites.

Thanks

We have less than 1/100 acres, so one should work if it’s in a good location. We use both bank feeders and troughs, but going mostly banks in the future. I don’t hunt over our yearly feeders. We mostly stop using them during hunting season and members put out corn in other locations. But, a member loaded one of the bank feeders last week and 8 does and a 14” eight pointer showed up to feed from it yesterday, while he hunted. We’re going to mix our minerals with the feed this year. Last year we spend $1K on several ground sites.

 

[DBCooper]

So one minerals site/100 ac?

I’d have guessed 2-3.

 

[Mr.Gadget]

I would do 2 feeding stations and have mineral site close to that. More chance they will find and use it.

Also on a 100 acre area gives you 2 clear hunting zones for weather, wind, or 2 people to hunt.
As for corn, spread it out look for higher areas out of water or under larger trees that have protection from all the rain.
I had a few trees I could cut an X on the bag and use the bag for a makeshift feeder and would be dry when I went back after rain being sheltered from rain some.
Camo corn bags work great for feeders. One bag cut, one spread out thin so they find it.

 

[Ambush]

So one minerals site/100 ac?

I’d have guessed 2-3.

We were told this year that our $1000 we spent on minerals was mostly wasted, besides getting nice photos all summer. We’re going to mix the minerals directly into our feed this year, adding soy oil to get more fat. We’ll know more next year. The deer farms are growing 300 B&C bucks with high power feed program. We’re hoping for an additional 15”. What we’ve been doing isn’t working to improve antlers very much. We had the oldest average buck age this year with several 4 1/2 and nothing scored over 120. Some parts of the state, like northern piedmont get what they need naturally. I’ve decided high protein kudzu plays are role, but no proof. Not much research on what works in the wild where something is lacking. With help from some deer fam growers, we’re doing our own in the field research. Could all be a waste, but we have a plan.