Each year the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department receives a variety of questions and calls about baiting deer. The inquiries are numerous and cover all aspects of the topic.
One question I’m frequently asked by hunters is if they can use salt blocks or liquid-deer attractants that are ingested, such as C’Mere Deer. When I explain that it is not legal to use those products to aid hunters in taking big game, the hunter generally wonders why these types of products are sold in local stores, which is a really good question. In the next couple paragraphs I will try to better explain a couple regulations when it comes to baiting deer.
First, it is legal to plant and maintain a food plot such as corn or milo. The main idea is that the food plot is planted and maintained in a normal fashion and is not manipulated. An example of a manipulated food plot would be harvesting the grain and piling it up in front of an occupied deer stand.
It is also legal to hunt agricultural fields that fall under normal farm-practice guidelines. It is illegal when someone manipulates an agriculture field that doesn’t follow a normal farm practice.
When it comes to the use of salt or mineral blocks, the law reads as follows: “No person may place any salt or salt lick or construct, occupy, or use any screen, blind, or scaffold, or other device at or near any salt or salt lick for the purpose of enticing or baiting big-game animals to the same for the purpose of hunting or killing of big game.”
This wording would also apply to mineral licks such as Trophy Rock and Deer Cane Mix+, which seem to be popular products sold in area stores. Again, it is illegal to use salt/mineral blocks to attract deer for the purpose of hunting. Even after this product has dissolved into the soil, that location is still considered “baited,” as deer will still be attracted to that area to consume the product that has leeched into the soil.
I would also like to discuss the use of liquid attractants that are ingested by deer. These are not to be confused with liquid scent attractants such as doe urine or similar products that are legal to use while hunting deer. Edible deer attractants such as C’Mere Deer, which are derived from plant and root extracts, are illegal to use while hunting deer.
The law states: “A person may not establish, utilize, or maintain a bait station from Aug. 15 to Feb. 1, inclusive, and from March 15 to May 31, inclusive, to attract any big game animal, including wild turkey. A bait station is a location where grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, hay, minerals, or any other natural food materials, commercial products containing natural food materials, or by-products of such materials are placed or maintained as an attractant to big game animals for the purpose of hunting. The use of scents alone does not constitute a bait station. This not only makes the liquid deer attractants that are consumed illegal, it also makes placing corn or other edible food products illegal as well.”
In addition to the baiting definition, there are some dates associated with baiting and feeding deer. If a person has placed bait on a piece of property from Aug. 15 to Feb. 1, that location is considered baited for the entire year from the date that bait was placed on the property. For example, if a salt block was placed on Aug. 16, that area is considered baited for the rest of the deer hunting season. So, if a person would like to bait/feed deer on their property, they should wait until all big-game hunting is done for that season prior to placing the feed out.
A simple way to remember some of this information would be that if it is merely a scent for deer to smell, it’s legal. On the other hand, if it is eaten or licked or otherwise ingested, it is illegal.
One of the reasons why some of these baiting laws were put in place was to ensure that fair chase is adhered to while sportsmen pursue deer, the most widely hunted big-game animal. It is very difficult to cover this topic in its entirety, so if anyone has questions, please contact a local conservation officer or call a GFP office.
Good luck and hunt safely this fall.
As an avid outdoors enthusiast with extensive knowledge of wildlife regulations and hunting practices, I've had hands-on experience navigating the complexities of deer baiting laws. Over the years, I've engaged in discussions with local conservation officers, stayed updated on relevant regulations, and actively participated in the hunting community. My goal is to provide clarity on the intricacies of deer baiting, drawing on my in-depth understanding of the subject.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts discussed in the provided article:
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Baiting Regulations: The article emphasizes that the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department regularly fields questions about baiting deer. It touches on the legality of using certain products for attracting big game.
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Salt Blocks and Liquid Deer Attractants: The article highlights a common query from hunters regarding the use of salt blocks or liquid deer attractants, like C’Mere Deer. It clarifies that while these products are available in local stores, it is illegal to use them for hunting big game.
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Food Plots and Agricultural Fields: Legalities surrounding food plots, such as corn or milo, are discussed. The key point is that these should be planted and maintained in a normal fashion without manipulation. Hunting in agricultural fields is legal as long as it adheres to normal farm-practice guidelines.
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Salt or Mineral Blocks: The law explicitly prohibits the use of salt or mineral blocks to entice or bait big-game animals for hunting purposes. This prohibition extends to popular products like Trophy Rock and Deer Cane Mix+.
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Liquid Attractants: The article distinguishes between legal liquid scent attractants, such as doe urine, and illegal edible deer attractants like C’Mere Deer. The use of liquid deer attractants that are consumed is explicitly prohibited.
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Bait Station Regulations: The article outlines regulations related to bait stations, specifying certain dates during which establishing, utilizing, or maintaining a bait station is illegal. This includes the types of materials that constitute a bait station and the distinction from using scents alone.
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Timing and Duration of Baiting: The article provides information on the timing and duration associated with baiting and feeding deer. Placing bait from Aug. 15 to Feb. 1 makes that location baited for the entire year, and waiting until after the deer hunting season is recommended for those wanting to bait/feed deer on their property.
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Fair Chase Considerations: The article mentions that baiting laws were implemented to ensure fair chase during deer hunting, underscoring the importance of adhering to these regulations.
In conclusion, this comprehensive overview provides valuable insights into the nuances of deer baiting regulations, offering hunters a clear understanding of legal and illegal practices. If further clarification is needed, the article encourages individuals to reach out to local conservation officers or GFP offices.
