We all know the laws in West Virginia (WV) and many states allow for hunting over deer feeders, but do you really call that hunting? Now I am going to offend, or upset a lot of people with this post, but I really don’t care. In WV many hunters complain that we don’t have the quality deer that other surrounding states have. Well, there is one way to fix that (maybe two)! First thing to do, is quit killing every buck you see! Let the smaller bucks live to grow. As much as you think we have an abundance of deer in the state, the incompetence and greediness of our state won’t realize we have a problem until we have less deer that we did in the 60’s!
The second problem I have, is people using deer feeders. In the state of WV, it is illegal to use electronic calls to lure deer in. But they don’t recognize that electronic deer feeders are actually calls. Deer lay out 100, 200 or 300 yards and wait to hear the dinner bell and then come running! The does are first and during the rut, bucks know that is where the does are. In an area where in the past before the ignorant deer feeder law took affect, we would see 20-50 deer a day. Those of us that actually hunt (not just kill) would be able to find deer acting naturally. Now that all the lazy people with guns (not hunters) can lure them in, they don’t leave a small area knowing they will come in to a timed dinner!
In a state that prides itself in being natural hunters, traditional hunters, many are being lazy, and selfish. They know what time their deer feeders will go off and then it is no different that going to Kroger and picking out a steak for dinner. It is really shameful and not teaching our young hunters how to actually hunt! You know, scouting, finding buck rubs, scrapes and figuring out how the deer move “natuarally!”
Now i have no problem with someone using bait, if they are unable to move through the woods! But it is showing how lazy our hunters are getting!
Baiting should only be used when you are trying to eradicate a problem, like feral hogs, or coyotes! Not for Deer!
The same lazy people often ride their side-by-sides, or four wheelers back and fourth until they see something. The bottom line is, THIS IS NOT HUNTING!
Too many progressive lazy people are starting to call themselves hunters, when they can’t even skin their own deer. They have to take them to a business, because “They Have No Time!” and that is BS! If you hunt, then you field dress your own deer, and skin it. Then you can process it. Don’t be LAZY!
Next thing you know, you will let someone else shoot your deer for you, I can only shake my head in shame at you!
Jeff Nichols' Outdoors 