Posted on Aug 22, 2023
Kansas lets hunters bait deer. Most states don't. A disease might make Kansas change.
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Feeding deer ensures strong numbers of the animals at hunting lodges, but state wildlife officials are worried about diseases and other unintended effects
A cousin of mad cow disease that eats holes in the brains of deer could be the tipping point that pushes Kansas to join other states that bar people from baiting the animals with piles of food.
Wildlife commissioners hope restricting the popular practice could slow the spread of chronic wasting disease and curb other deer-related problems, such as crop damage.
In northwest Kansas, biologists estimate at least one-third of 2.5-year-old bucks now have the fatal disease.
But opponents of a feed ban — so far, primarily people with financial interests — are raising heated complaints. That includes feed sellers, rural land brokers and hunting lodge owners.
Some Kansas lodges charge out-of-state hunters upward of $4,000 each for weeklong stays on properties where deer baiting and feeding ensures strong numbers of the country’s most popular game animal.
A cousin of mad cow disease that eats holes in the brains of deer could be the tipping point that pushes Kansas to join other states that bar people from baiting the animals with piles of food.
Wildlife commissioners hope restricting the popular practice could slow the spread of chronic wasting disease and curb other deer-related problems, such as crop damage.
In northwest Kansas, biologists estimate at least one-third of 2.5-year-old bucks now have the fatal disease.
But opponents of a feed ban — so far, primarily people with financial interests — are raising heated complaints. That includes feed sellers, rural land brokers and hunting lodge owners.
Some Kansas lodges charge out-of-state hunters upward of $4,000 each for weeklong stays on properties where deer baiting and feeding ensures strong numbers of the country’s most popular game animal.
Kansas lets hunters bait deer. Most states don't. A disease might make Kansas change.
Posted from kcur.org
Posted 9 mo ago
Responses: 5
Posted 9 mo ago
In GA you may set up feeders or food plots for hunting with the permission of the landowner. On our Wildlife Management they plant food plots for the deer, these are year round for the health of the deer and other critters. When scouting I have watched the plots at different times, but have never seen a deer on them. I believe they feed on those early morning and at night, especially once season starts.
On the private lands I hunt there are no feeders or food plots. It would be hard to plant a food plot on the private land, there is almost no flat land, it’s a bunch of hollers.
On the private lands I hunt there are no feeders or food plots. It would be hard to plant a food plot on the private land, there is almost no flat land, it’s a bunch of hollers.
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Posted 9 mo ago
Excellent post. Thank you for sharing this shipmate. I haven't seen a deer in years. I recall when I was active duty Navy and stationed at Newport News and staying at NWS Yorktown housing I used to see a lot of deer everyday.
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MSgt Dale Johnson
8 mo
1LT Vance Titus - I am not sure what you mean by baiting fish. I mostly use worms or minnows.
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