By that logic we should just legalize drugs, moonshine, gambling, prostitution,
speeding, running red lights, driving drunk etc.

Well, it is ALREADY illegal. What we need
to do is just keep it that way!

There is no
problem here. Game wardens are perfectly capable of
enforcing the law here. They are not stupid. They know
when someone is using corn etc. to hunt with.

If some folks just need additional guidance
then just define "area" as follows:

"No hunting within 500 (five hundred) yards of
any bait/corn/etc."

If you are hunting closer than 500 yards to the corn/bait
you are wrote up. Plain and simple. End of story.

End of story?

Not 'til we get my version of ethics written into the law. I believe it's both unethical and illegal to swear with your hand on a Bible to support our constitutions and then practice usurpation and oppression using the limited authority that has been delegated to you.

Constitution of Alabama 1901

You hyper-libertarian anarchists don't count. Go
take a seat at the back of the bus.

I was not advocating making anything legal . I said ,I agree people follow laws they agree with , and used hunting over bait as an example.

I do not care if it is legal or not it will not change the way I hunt .

There's one big obstacle with the "500 yard law". If your neighbor puts his feeder near your property line, you have allowed your neighbor to dictate hunting on your property. Any law that includes a distance also has to include the same distance away from a property line. Otherwise, you're going to have some serious issues.

Bamarich,

How would you feel if the law prohibited fishing with bait?

Can you define the public interest that should override individual liberty to decide whether hunting over bait is ethical or not?

Ethics are closely kin to religion. We have provisions in our constitutions that prohibit our government from establishing religious beliefs through laws. How is the issue of hunting over bait or fishing with bait different from establishing religious beliefs using the law?

It doesn`t matter how simple you make things........some people will never get it .....

Stupid question here, but is this law really a law yet? Doesn't it still have to be passed at a higher level still. Sorry, I have not been able to varify anything.

Obviously,
any distance rule would only apply to the owned or leased - hunted
property. A reg could also simply ban anyone using bait or feeders
for any reason at any time of the year within 100 yards of a property
line.

none of us follow all laws to the T but a lot of us try. To say people in general only follow laws they agree with is stepping way out. I don't agree with our current tax laws but I still pay them...thats just one of many laws I follow but don't agree with. What about those that hunt in South Bama that haven't been able to hunt a real rut...you think most of them just go ahead and shoot deer in February? I just don't get your logic...

so make it illegal to put a feeder out with in x amount of yards of your property line (besides who puts feeder's on property lines?...defeats the purpose) Go with 200 yds...100 yds is simply legalizing without legalizing...

??? Not sure why you're picking a bone with me. I'm just saying that if there's a restriction on proximity to the feeder, there is going to have to be one in relation to the property line also. Otherwise, guys are going to get fined for something they have no opportunity to know about. I'm neither for it/against it in this thread... just pointing out a possible issue.

"100 yards is simply legalizing without legalizing", TD, I'd say you hit that nail square on the head.

Most good clubs feed 8 months out of the year , and plant fields for year round feeding the only thing I see is it puts everyone on the same playing field you have a choice now feed or don`t feed,you can always pattern that doe or that buck way before he gets to that feeder if you put the time in. So when it is put in (black and white) where each and everyone can read then it will be clear as to what we as hunter can and can`t do.

What I mean is it's basically an un-enforceable law. Sure, they'll write a few tickets every year, but the GWs I know are quick to say they don't go out of their way to ticket baiters unless there are complaints.

I don't have any real basis for my opinion but my guess is very few clubs feed 8 months out of the year (good or "bad). Clover fields, corn, beans, peas etc. can be more beneficial and less expensive than keeping feeders full. In an ideal world with unlimited funds both would be ideal, but I just don't think many clubs feed year around. JMO

Most of the ones that I know of and the land that I have ,feed some kinda supplemental keep feeders full and plant corn ,beans,
clover for our club very easy done I have 1260 acres with 5 memebers and we work a 40 hour week like every one else and we make it happen. We are a small time hunting club compared to some that have 3 and 4 thousand acres with 45 to 60 members Have to tell ya it is expensive corn is outrages
have to buy that stuff in bulk .....

This is not a LAW.....

it is simply a definition of the very vague, and often abused, term AREA.

It is now defined that if you are closer than 100 yds and in sight of a bait pile or feeder.....you are hunting over bait.

Agree. And every GW I've spoken with thinks it's a joke.
Just like the stupid honor system for the 3 buck limit.