The change came when a vote was taken on a proposal to remove language from the current supplemental feeding regulations that states hunters cannot hunt within the line of sight of a feeder. By removing that language, hunters will be able to shoot deer at feeders.
"It means the feeder no longer has to be hidden." said Lann Wilf, MDWFP Deer Program leader.
"It can be in plain view as long as it's 100 yards (or more) away." Commission chairman Charles Rigdon said the proposal is a reflection of hunters' opinions.
"We ran an email survey maybe two months ago," Rigdon said. "The survey came back, if I remember correct, 62 percent in favor of that line of sight.
"The majority, by far, wanted to see that done."
As surprising as the move was to some, so was the vote itself. The vote was not included in the printed agenda made available to the public. It was also done at the end of the meeting with no verbal discussion. One commissioner said, "...supplemental feeding," and a vote was taken.
That combination led one attendee to comment off the record that he felt it was an attempt to pass the proposal without much notice.
Rigdon said that was not the case. He said the original agenda had been amended to include the proposal vote, but the updated version was not made available to everyone.
"That was not intended," Rigdon said. "There was a mistake on some agendas.
"It just did not get put on all agendas on accident."
Further disputing any attempt to veil the vote, Rigdon noted that like other proposed regulation changes, this one will be available for a 30-day public comment period before being finalized.
As to the lack of discussion on the topic during the meeting, Rigdon said that was done beforehand.
"That was a normal vote," Rigdon said.
Photo taken by myself while on the Arrowhead Stand (tri-pod) at the famous Christmas Place Plantation and Hunting Club on the edge of the MS Delta near Eden, MS, a few years ago.
I don't think baiting works well in our part of the country. The deer mostly go nocturnal. It works well in Texas because it's usually so dry and the deer are left with little or no browse. Deer like a diverse diet and will eat at the feeders, but it's not going to get the deer running to the feeder when it goes off, they will be running to the sound of dropping acorns. A good side effect may be that the feeders bring in the hogs for an easy bacon shot.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment Ken and it is always great to hear from you! Yes, I agree with you on the feeders bringing in the hogs for an easy bacon shot. I'm still eating on my 180 lb hog that I shot back in January. Nothing like the REAL thing off the hoof! Wishing you a great hunting season my friend! :)
ReplyDeleteMy personal feeling is that people who hunt deer over bait are not hunters. They are merely shooters. I would never allow this on my property. Jack
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way about people who hunt deer over bait, Jack. Where I hunt you are not exposed to a feeder right in front of you. That's just wrong in my opinion. There is a feeder near the camp where you can sit and watch the deer come out and eat but that is just for the enjoyment of seeing the deer. The camp is approximately 2,500 acres and takes a lot of time to maintain and keep it going and a year round job. I look forward to hunting with my friend/mentor at the famous Christmas Place Plantation and Hunting Club on the edge of the MS Delta, about an hour and 15 minutes from Vicksburg. Rex has the blog, Deer Camp Blog, and I believe you are familiar with it. It's at http://bodocktimes.blogspot.com
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