Conference vmsnet::hunting$note:hunting

    My personal opinion depends on the situation.  I thinks that feeding
    wildlife is ok, only if there is not enough of a food source to keep
    them healthy over the winter, or if you want to increase herd size etc.
    Isn't that part of wildlife management?  I know here in Georgia, there
    are areas that are called WMA's (wildlife management areas) where they
    intentionally make large food plots available for the deer.   It is not
    illegal to hunt these areas.  Now I think it is illegal to hunt over a
    pile of corn.  But I don't think it is illegal to hunt over a man made
    food plot, such as winter rye, or clover.  What is the difference
    between a food plot and an acorn drop.  Nothing, they are both there by
    nature.  You plant the food plot, it grows.  But hunting over 100 lbs
    of corn is illegal.  In my previous note, 1151. I stated possibly
    dropping off corn.  There is no intention of hunting over that corn
    when season comes, for the record.
    
    I guess the question is going to be answered differently over different
    regions of the world, and depending on the wildlife situation in your
    region, will determine what you think of feeding wildlife. 
    
    Well, enough rambling on, I think it all depends on intent.
    
    Bob
    

    
    My personal opinion is that it sure won't hurt.  Frankly I don't think
    that any of us are rich enough to supply enough food to make any
    difference in the size of the herd.  If we do, then we're probably
    doing so by planting natural food crops which will more than likely
    take hold and replenish from year to year.
    
    I also think the whole idea of it being illegal to hunt over food sources
    is a little ridiculous.  Whitetail deer do most of their feeding during
    non-shooting hours anyhow.  Besides if wardens really got sticky on
    this issue you'd have to check an area out, with a fine toothed comb,
    to make sure that nowone has been dropping food around prior to being
    able to shoot a deer.  The whole issue seems stupid to me since the
    same states that forbid deer baiting often times permit baiting of 
    other game animals. 
    
    Just my two cents worth,
    Roy...

    
    My approach to this question is let nature take over.  I don't agree
    with supplementing wildlife with food in a form that man delivers.
    That can cause many problems, from what I've read Colorado is reviewing
    its attitude on this policy.  Even people with bird feeders cause
    problems with holdover. 
    
    I believe we have to be very careful in how we influence the natural
    order of things.  Proper game managment and land management are the
    approach I feel benefits all well.  Instead of bringing in 100 lb. bags
    of grain or whatever, how about planting cedar, oak, apple, etc., so
    the deer still have to use their natural instincts to survive.  In
    severe winters yarding areas get hit very hard, these should be cleaned
    up first.
    
    I don't believe we should strive for the maximum number of animals in
    the woods, but a balance where the land can support the aninals.  If
    planting increases the food base enough to let the population come back
    up than nature will decide that too.
    
    With that said, no I don't think we should feed deer.  But plant the
    proper food sources so the deer can feed themselves.
    
    Kevin

    I agree with .3.  when I started note 1151, I was really not thinking
    of long term affects, or the deers habits.  I feel now, that after
    reading all this information, that planting clover or some natural
    source of food is alot better for the deer in the long run than it is
    to dump bags of food pellets or corn.
    
    I also think that food plots are a vital part of herd management, and
    if you are managing a large piece of property, food plots should be
    considered.
    
    Bob