Baiting Deer In Ontario? Legal?

mlehtovaara

mlehtovaara

BANNED
BANNED
BANNED
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
103   0   1
Location
Niagara Region, Ontario. For now
Just got told by 2 people that it's illegal to put up a Deer feeder for hunting purposes?

Everything I have read leads me to believe they are dead wrong and there is nothing in the regs on it.

So any clarification would be nice....

Thanks
M
 
i always heard that any salt has to be gone seven days before hunting season, but a pile of apples or corn and what have you is fine, but that is only what i heard growing up and being taught, would hate to find out have been in the wrong
 
EDIT: Just did some reading and you are OK to bait deer, moose, bear... What IS illegal, is using bodily fluids such as authentic deer urine, glands, etc, as they can introduce diseases such as CWD into an area that has not previously been invaded by said disease.

Seems there is a ton of debate on whether or not it is even legal to bait deer. Until now, I was always under the impression it was illegal. Everyone around me seems to think it is, but they do it anyway. I haven't been able to find it laid out clearly in the 2012-2013 regulations, but I checked out some other hunting forums and it's OK.
 
There are no laws whatsoever in Ontario regarding baiting deer with food, chemical attractants, ect so long as it is not made from deer.
 
Would Like all those who say you can't bait deer to provide a reference.
It is 100% legal.
The only mention of feeding deer is on page 74 of the 2012 guide.
• Due to the increased potential to spread disease, the ministry discourages feeding of deer and elk except in emergency situations.
Click to expand...

I'll gladly admit if I am wrong if anyone can provide proof but it was legal several years ago and I see no reference in the MNR hunting regs.

Some Birds are illegal to bait though.
Page 30 of regs.

It is illegal to hunt wild turkeys within 400 metres of any place where bait has been deposited unless the place has been free of bait for at least seven days. Bait means corn, wheat, oats, other grain, pulse, any other feed that may attract wild turkey or any imitation of such feed. Standing crops, crops stacked in accordance with normal farming practices and grain scattered as a result of normal farming operations are not considered bait.
Click to expand...
 
As already mentioned, it's 100% legal. Can bait 365 days a year if want, then hunt during any day of the actual season with bait present. :p

Likely people being confused with Migratory Birds and/or Wild Turkey baiting regulations.
Migratory Birds said:
The Migratory Birds Convention Act and its regulations govern
hunting of migratory game birds. It is illegal to hunt migratory birds within 400 m (437 yd.) of where bait has been deposited
unless that place has been free of bait for at least seven days. It is
also illegal to deposit bait in any place during the period beginning
14 days before the first day of the open season for that place and
ending on the day immediately following the last day of the open
season for that place for any hunted migratory game bird.
Click to expand...

Wild Turkey said:
Baiting
It is illegal to hunt wild turkeys within 400 metres of any place
where bait has been deposited unless the place has been free of bait
for at least seven days. Bait means corn, wheat, oats, other grain,
pulse, any other feed that may attract wild turkey or any imitation
of such feed. Standing crops, crops stacked in accordance with
normal farming practices and grain scattered as a result of normal
farming operations are not considered bait.
Click to expand...
 
Yup, its a common misconception that baiting deer is illegal. Unless there is a township or local by-law that outlaws it, it is perfectly legal to bait whenever you want. I know some areas (cities) have outlawed baiting deer as it brings deer into cities and causes issues. The last 4 years of deer hunting I have baited, and in the winter months, I'll put some out for the deer that swing through my backyard.
 
Bizarre... The use of bait (during season) is prohibited in Alberta.

You can bait right up until opening day, but can't remember if it has to be removed or you just can't put out any more.

You Ontarians need all the help you can get, I guess... :p
 
I just moved to Kenora from Saskatchewan. Ya I know I must be nuts---, I looked through all the regulations and as far as I can tell it is legal to bait deer. I do have to say that this is the stupidest province I have lived in as far as regulations go. I have gone through the book at least three times and I still find new things that I missed before. T
 
Personally, I find baiting doesn't work how you think it will. I've baited before, and all it did for me was bring in deer at night. So I got many nice pictures of some real nice deer, but when they all come at night, its really pointless. I gave up baiting, its expensive for what my return was, and stand hunting isn't for me. That being said, I'll still put some out in the winter for my backyard deer to chew on.
 
Yanni_S said:
As already mentioned, it's 100% legal. Can bait 365 days a year if want, then hunt during any day of the actual season with bait present. :p
Click to expand...

I like you was confused when one friend said it was leegal the other said it wasn't. I argued with the guy who said it was legal . he said " show me in the regs " I couldn't find it.
So I called the local MNR office at the time and asked them . The lady that answered said of course it's illegal, read the regs. I replied "I did and could not find it " She said I will check and call you back . She did call back and said she was wrong and when she asked the CO about baiting deer , he said " they prefer chocolate glazed donuts"....ever since then I've baited deer , about 10 yrs now
 
Potshot21 said:
Personally, I find baiting doesn't work how you think it will. I've baited before, and all it did for me was bring in deer at night..
Click to expand...

Put less, and less bait out as it comes closer to when you plan to hunt. Make sure to bait every day....This will bring the deer in earlier....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom