It also will offend the non- and anti-hunting folks who hear "baiting" and think about hunters shooting a deer with its head stuck in a pile of corn.

Whether you think "they" are here or significant or not, anti- and non-hunting groups already are here in Alabama and in great number. They're just not extremely vocal here because the majority tolerate hunting as long as it's done in a legal and, in their mind, ethical manner ... and that doesn't include "baiting."

I've had civil conversations with non-hunters about this over the years. Every one of them has said something to the effect of, "I don't care for hunting but know it's going on and will continue, but shooting a deer eating something dumped out on the ground or in a trough isn't right." That's the gist of their belief and it goes straight to the heart of what a lot of people including hunters believe is ethical or non-ethical hunting.

We can say "This is the South, they're not going to change our traditions and lifetstyle!" but they can. They already are with other things in society. We can split hairs about wild vs. fences, food plots vs. native browse vs. a corn feeder, putting out minerals or deer pee drags, sitting in a shooting house vs. stalking and so on for years. But the bottom line is that one thing - baiting, shooting a deer over or near a feeder and/or bait-food - gives a lot of people the wrong idea about hunters and ethics.

Coming from Texas, baiting was the only way we hunted. Not so much to attract the deer, but to attract the hogs. I going to miss shooting at a group of hogs, killing 5 or 6 at a time before they finally outrun my effective range of fire.

Why are these problems exclusive to Alabama?

Our hunter numbers are dropping at the same rate, or faster, than other State's. So, I just don't see the correlation.

Yep...And danny I've talked to 3 of my buddies that run sporting good stores. And all 3 have seen a decline in resident hunting licenses while the out of state licenses increased..Bottom line is I think folks r getting tired of the political bullshit and all the other BS..

Times are hard for a lot of folks and it cost a lot to hunt these days.

quote] Yep...And danny I've talked to 3 of my buddies that run sporting good stores. And all 3 have seen a decline in resident hunting licenses while the out of state licenses increased..Bottom line is I think folks r getting tired of the political bullshit and all the other BS.. [/quote]

Or more people could be buying their license online..

Declining license sales have been and are a huge concern for the DCNR, and not just tiny declines.

It's all about revenue. Then if you don't have a permit on your feeder the game warden will write you ticket. More revenue.

DCNR is not too blame for that idea. I know several big landowners who brought that idea to the table several years ago..

You obviously don't have the same exposure as I do to hunters in Alabama.

Most hunters hunt for the experience of fair chase. There isn't many who are mad at them yet there are few who are. Most like to share that experience with someone they love... a child, grandchild, neighbor, and even sometimes a spouse.

Most wouldn't bait more-so than an avid golfer kick his ball out of the rough. It is not in their repertoire. Hell, most hunters don't frequent aldeer anymore than pinterest. What drives them to hunt has nothing to do with baiting nor killing. And baiting is not going to influence the way they hunt. The talks of legalized baiting is going on behind the backs of the majority of hunters by political figures. It has little to do with hunters request or desire.

I know these things because I talk to hunters daily and have asked.

It will impact a small percentage of the hunters. These hunters are the aggressive ones. 'They are mad them.' They are likely illegally baiting now. Legalizing it will only make them more comfortable to look over their shoulder when they hear a stick break.

Baiters gonna bait.

Don't hate the baiter, hate game.

Hmmmmmmm

Either my I-pad just went full tard or some crazy shat just happened here.

It's called protection....

Went from a discussion about baiting and ethics and traditionalists to accusations about leasing land and cousinhunters and such, with a deletion.

Bait is the devil....

And I was looking forward to the entertainment this thread could have possibly provided this evening.

You at the wrong place if you looking for entertainment here anymore...

Baiting I hope they pass it! Cause I'm gonna buy 5 dump truck loads and sit on it and strangle them dayum pine goats!