blacktail deer bait

[Crunchy]

I went to one of those feed lots in Graham thinking that I was going to buy alfalfa or hay for blacktail deer bait.  Have some cell cams and wanted to see quality of bucks in the area.  Anyways they talked me into wet Cobb.  I bought 5 sacks $110 bucks put two sacks out on one section, and 10 miles away two more sacks.  Not one deer cam into it in the last two months.  What should I try this time of year

[Kingofthemountain83]

Soy beans... All year... Bt love them...

[Crunchy]

they sell them at the same feed lots?

[fishngamereaper]

I'd delete the thread...

[fowl smacker]

Probably nothing since they made it illegal to feed deer now.

[WapitiTalk1]

Probably nothing since they made it illegal to feed deer now.

Yep 🫤

[kodiak06]

I went to one of those feed lots in Graham thinking that I was going to buy alfalfa or hay for blacktail deer bait.  Have some cell cams and wanted to see quality of bucks in the area.  Anyways they talked me into wet Cobb.  I bought 5 sacks $110 bucks put two sacks out on one section, and 10 miles away two more sacks.  Not one deer cam into it in the last two months.  What should I try this time of year

You're either fishing for bites or ignorant to the reg changes from 2025

[Meathunter06]

Probably nothing since they made it illegal to feed deer now.

Only illegal if they find it 

[JDArms1240]

Uh oh

[millerwheeler]

Well you could try reading the regs and putting your cameras where there are actually deer lol

[Bob33]

https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=220-414-030

WAC 220-414-030

Baiting for the purposes of hunting deer, elk, or moose.

(1) For the purposes of this section: "Bait" is any substance that could serve as a lure, food, or attraction for deer, elk, or moose, including natural or synthetic scents that contain or are derived from cervid urine and glandular extracts.
(2) Except as otherwise provided in this section, it is unlawful to hunt for deer, elk, or moose using any type of bait placed, exposed, deposited, distributed, scattered, or otherwise used for the purpose of attracting deer, elk, or moose with the intent to hunt them.
(3) Exceptions: Hunting on or over the following is not considered an unlawful use of bait while hunting deer, elk, or moose:
(a) Locally common agricultural and ranching practices including salt or mineral distribution, and feeding;
(b) Food that is available from undisturbed wild, volunteer, or planted vegetation; including fruit trees, orchards, vineyards, and food plots;
(c) Scents that do not contain or are derived from cervid urine and glandular extracts;
(d) Naturally occurring mineral deposits;
(e) As authorized by a department permit issued to address a management objective; or
(f) Exceptions do not include accidental or intentional spills, dumping, or storage of agricultural produce, feed, or bait.

[highside74]

If it wasn't now illegal I would buy whole corn from Walmart or BassPro because its less than half of the feed store price. Then I would buy a bag of wet cob and mix 75ish% whole corn to 25ish % wet cob. Once they start they will stay around pretty much daily depending on time of year. Alfalfa and hay is a waste. Alfalfa cubes are a waste. They will also eat the deer blocks from Purina if it was still permitted.


Buuuuut... The Morning Doves also enjoy it and it isn't illegal to feed the birds so put up a no deer allowed sign next to your bird feed area and feed away.

[Mike450r]

I have always felt if it wasn't something they normally eat they will be wary of it.

[b0bbyg]

Last year did not bait cams near and in my hunting areas after hearing it was now illegal,
But reading the regs as pasted above, illegal for purpose of hunting.

So if off season you bait to get better pics and not hunt is this still illegal? Your not hunting your just getting pics of animals you enjoy watchjng....

Just throwing out for opinions, I found it fun to run cameras just to see what was running about

[fishngamereaper]

Sperate WAC prohibits feeding big game in general...I think it's 440-260.

Pretty much covers everything not included in the bait ban WAC.

[bearpaw]

This rule prohibiting feeding was adopted last year:   

[bearpaw]

WACs > Title 220 > Chapter 220-440 > Section 220-440-260

220-440-250  <<  220-440-260 >>   End of Chapter

Agency filings affecting this section
WAC 220-440-260
Prohibition of feeding deer, elk, or moose.
(1) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, it is an infraction under RCW 77.15.160 (6)(b) to place, deposit, distribute, or scatter feed including, but not limited to, grain, hay, minerals, salt, fruit, or other such substances or food types to feed, lure or attract deer, elk, or moose not lawfully held in captivity. A person may not allow food to be placed for the purposes of feeding other wildlife that causes deer, elk, or moose to congregate.
(2) This rule does not apply in the completion of any of the following agricultural practices:
(a) Cultivation, production, and harvest of crops including, but not limited to, fruit, vegetable, hay, and grains; 
(b) Animal husbandry related to the care and feeding of domestic livestock and poultry.
(3) The director may authorize the feeding of deer, elk, or moose under the following conditions:
(a) Prevent damage to private property;
(b) Mitigate population loss anticipated by a predicted winter mortality;
(c) Support a WDFW research or management program.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.055, 77.12.047, 77.12.610, 77.12.620, 77.12.630, 77.12.071, and 77.145.010. WSR 25-09-079 (Order 24-16D), s 220-440-260, filed 4/16/25, effective 5/17/25.]

[bearpaw]

Language in the rule making allows for food plots. Language in the WAC does not include "food plots" specifically. I asked the WDFW enforcement sergeant in my area of Region 1 if I could plant food plots, he said yes. However, enforcement has a certain amount of latitude regarding interpreting laws, before you plant food plots in your area I would ask WDFW enforcement in your area if you can plant food plots.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Uncle Ted has an interesting view on the CWD theory.

[hunter399]

Anyone been to those feed stations lately......lol
Probably lots of elk being feed through the winter there...lol

All I know is dry side, drought and blue tongue, or by chance a hard winter kills.
Then add a side of predator pie , CWD and baiting really doesn't matter.
Cause our resources are so low,there is no reason to bait....lol
I've often wonder what WDFW will do,when there are no resources to protect.
Deer numbers are as low as ever seen around here,with no snow pack, drought coming this summer. Not looking good.
If anyone knows where they count deer in region 1 ,let me know.
So I can actually see a deer.

Mild winter= blue tongue die off
Hard winter= still more die off
Private land = food plots , back yard feeders
Public land = no baits
Add more predators

Deer are screwed.....lol

[MADMAX]

Just a few




Hundred

[hunter399]

Just a few




Hundred

Heck ya , I'm not mad they feed them.
I get the reason behind it,very cool to look at.
There's a few around here, usually in farm fields with the green stuff.
But you gotta drive around,eyes peeled, mourning is best.
No feeder here,just private fields being destroyed.

[Britt-dog]

Corn is king. If it were still legal I would definitely use corn.   

[Alchase]

Buuuuut... The Morning Doves also enjoy it and it isn't illegal to feed the birds so put up a no deer allowed sign next to your bird feed area and feed away.

Deer are stubborn and refuse to follow signs, just look at how may Deer Crossing signs there are and they still cross the road away from the signs and get hit

 

[270Flat]

Garbanzo beans

[kodiak06]

Language in the rule making allows for food plots. Language in the WAC does not include "food plots" specifically. I asked the WDFW enforcement sergeant in my area of Region 1 if I could plant food plots, he said yes. However, enforcement has a certain amount of latitude regarding interpreting laws, before you plant food plots in your area I would ask WDFW enforcement in your area if you can plant food plots.

There's absolutely nothing illegal about food plots on private property. One must remember a 15' area of clover and rye isn't a food plot and will concentrate animals to one spot.

[Bob33]

Buuuuut... The Morning Doves also enjoy it and it isn't illegal to feed the birds so put up a no deer allowed sign next to your bird feed area and feed away.

[WapitiTalk1]