OT-In MS, what are the rules for hunting deer with a feeder? Can the ...

Sep 1, 2011
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feeder be visible from the stand? Distance? etc... In TX we hunt over feeders all the time, just not sure if you can in MS.
 

Mts68

Sophomore
Aug 22, 2012
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Feeder has to be at least 100 yards from the stand, and can't be in your direct line of sight (gw will decide if it is in the line of sight).
 

Hump4Hoops

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May 1, 2010
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As a non-hunter, I'm curious why there are restrictions?

The point is to kill deer, and this seems to be something that would make it easier, and not endanger human lives, correct?
 

drt7891

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Dec 6, 2010
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My guess is fairness. I guess it falls under the same restrictions as "spotlighting." They don't want you to gain any kind of advantage by "luring" or causing the deer to freeze dead in its tracks to get a better shot. That's just a wild guess, though...
 
Nov 16, 2005
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There will always be debate on baiting. Some feel that it's unsportsmanlike others think its just another way of attracting deer. It's perfectly legal to hunt over a food plot of wheat or oats or whatever you planted but not a corn feeder.

I don't bait but I don't have a problem with it. I think piling up corn is risking spreading disease among the deer because they eat from the same pile.
 

Hump4Hoops

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May 1, 2010
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That's my big question - why does "fairness" matter?

I mean, they want you to go out and kill deer - why does it matter if you're fair to them? It's not like it's a competitive sport.
 
Nov 16, 2005
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Every effort should be given to allow hunters the ability to kill deer. We have a serious deer population problem across most of the state that is only going to get worst. Still waiting on an outbreak chronic wasting disease to break out.
 

uptowndawg

Senior
Jul 15, 2010
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I'd like to see it legalized for youth to hunt over. I'm only getting to take my little cousin hunting twice this year, would be nice to swing the odds in his favor a bit.

But that doesn't get rid of any health concerns as far as the deer or turkeys go.
 

LandsurveyorDawg

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Mar 3, 2008
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Also has to be 100 yards from a property line. It must not be spread on ground. Upright pipe feeder to board is fine as is autotimed feeder. Game Warden also told our club that you can't have a game camera right by corn.
 
Sep 1, 2011
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I don't think MS takes advantage of one of its biggest resources (outdoors) by passing laws that encourage out of srate outdoorsmen to come spend money and hunt. My mom and dad can't grow a garden for deer eating everything nd you can't have a camera near a feeder!!!
 

turkish

Junior
Aug 22, 2012
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I don't think MS takes advantage of one of its biggest resources (outdoors) by passing laws that encourage out of srate outdoorsmen to come spend money and hunt. My mom and dad can't grow a garden for deer eating everything nd you can't have a camera near a feeder!!!
You obviously don't spend much time in SW MS during hunting season. LA hunters have significantly driven up lease prices and rec land values in that part of the state. Good hunting land in Wilkinson and Adams cties is likely the most expensive in the state. Much to the chagrin of local hunters, the MDWFP has quite the ad campaign going in national hunting publications, to boot. And I'll add that deer populations where I hunt are hurting as a result of these efforts.
 
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sidexside

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Aug 22, 2012
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CWD might be a good reason not to feed...

Every effort should be given to allow hunters the ability to kill deer. We have a serious deer population problem across most of the state that is only going to get worst. Still waiting on an outbreak chronic wasting disease to break out.
Concentration likley spreads any disease. Ron Spooner talked about this on one of his TV shows last month while hunting over bait in Alberta. His point was that corn fields, food plots, apple trees, etc. are all unnatural terrain features of food that attract deer. Why is bait any different?

The first cases of CWD that I'm aware of came out of penned elk at Colorado State. Elk were shipped to other game farms in upper midwest and spread to deer.

Feeding protein blocks with other animal protein should be prohibited.
 

RocketDawg

All-Conference
Oct 21, 2011
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Yeah, if you wanted to be fair, you'd either give the deer a bodyguard with a gun, or make the hunter chase one down and kill it with his bare hands (tending toward **). I never had an inclination toward hunting either. I guess I would if I had to to put food on the table though, but not just for the mere enjoyment of it.
 

drt7891

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Dec 6, 2010
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I honestly couldn't think of a better word to use... I don't hunt, but I hear people talk about hunting all the time. DCD used the word "sportsmanlike," which I probably should have used. Either way, I know there are some outrageous laws about what you can and can't do.
 
Nov 16, 2005
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I agree with that. I said earlier that is the reason why I don't bait. I think rifle season needs to be longer and crossbows should be allowed during bow season without a doctors note.
 

cowbell88

Senior
Jan 11, 2009
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Yep must meet those criteria, but I think it's actually more of a judgement call on game warden. If you get smart with him or get mad, he gonna write you up. He can have a pocket full of corn and drop some out between feeder and stand. The state wants the revenue from the tickets is what it comes down to, is the reason it's not legalized without criteria.
 

thatsbaseball

All-American
May 29, 2007
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Saw a modern crossbow yesterday

had no freaking idea how advanced they are. They are fair to the hunter for sure
 
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