There is a lot to do when you are preparing for a deer hunt. From getting a license, to choosing a weapon and getting the best rifle scope for the money ; you need to make sure that you are organized. Not paying attention to the details can seriously mess up the experience.
One question which we see asked a lot is what are the legal implications of attractants? The answer lies in whether you are talking about using bait, or using cover scents and lures. Let’s take a look at both of these options.
Using bait when hunting deer
In most states, the use of bait when hunting deer is prohibited, although for some states this does not apply on private land. It’s worth taking a look at the full list of restrictions, so that you know where you stand, before you head off on a hunting trip.
Bait is anything that could be ingested that is brought into an area where the hunt is taking place. This can apply to natural products, such as corn and apples, as well as salt and mineral blocks. It can also apply to products which are absorbed by potential bait. Of course, there is nothing to stop you from hunting in an area where products such as corn or apples are already present.
Making use of lures and cover scents
While you cannot use bait when hunting deer, in many areas, you can use lures such as doe urine. You can also use different scents to cover up your presence, so that you do not spook the deer. There are plenty of cover scents that you can buy, but you can also produce your own, at reduced cost.
For instance, if there is often a smoky atmosphere in the area where you are hunting, make sure that you have the smell of smoke on your clothes. The same applies to the scent of other natural products, such as apples. The more you smell of the area where you are hunting, the less likely you are to stand out. You need to be very clever with the use of cover scents in order to fool a deer’s sense of smell.
There are several scents that you can use as effective lures. Which is the best choice often depends on when you are hunting. Different scents work better at different times of year. It pays to take a look at which scents you should use and when. Doing this research can help make your hunting trip more successful.
Often, it’s illegal to use bait when you are hunting for deer. So you need to examine other methods. You can legitimately use cover scents and lures on a deer hunting trip. It makes sense to take some time to study your options and make sure your choices are the right ones, to give you a better chance of success.