Many of the businesses where I conduct my "DEER HUNTING SEMINARS" have a HUGE variety of products for "attracting" deer. Such products are very popular in other states BUT.. they are actually ILLEGAL in the state of Indiana. BAITING DEER IN INDIANA IS NOT ALLOWED.
 
  Quoting the 2009/2010 Indiana Hunting and Trapping Guide: "It is ILLEGAL to use bait, salt, snares, dogs or any other domesticated animals to take deer. Bait is considered ANY product that is TRANSPORTED into a hunting area and placed there for animal consumption. Baits can be in the form of salt, mineral blocks, prepared solid or liquid which is intended for the animal to eat. An area is considered to be baited for 10 days AFTER the removal of the bait and any affected soil."
 
  I realize as hunters, we watch numerous programs showing the hunter using such products that attract deer within moments but we also must face the fact... LEGALLY... you CANNOT do that in Indiana!! I have had people tell me they would place it in advance of the season and remove it before hunting the location.. My answer to that is.."DON'T FORGET IT!!!" Remember the "10 day" ruling!!!!
 
  I have had countless people ask me during my seminars, "Have YOU ever used these products?" I can honestly state.. "NO.. I have NOT!! I started deer hunting in 1964 and I have harvested well over 340 whitetail deer and I have NEVER use ANY type or form of bait.
 
  I realize many people wonder WHY can these products be sold in Indiana but not used. That is a rather difficult question that I feel I am NOT in a position to answer fairly. I also realize to many people the hunters that have food plots are actually baiting deer but in reality.. IT IS NOT THE SAME!! The products in a food plot are planted in advance of the season. I know that sounds rather "evasive commenting" but in the rules and regulations, food plots are legal.
 
  Another hunter asked me what was the difference of using a "bait product" or using a "doe-in-heat" scent to attract a buck? In my opinion, the best answer to that is the "doe-in-heat" scent is NOT for deer consumption and the "bait product" IS for deer consumption.
 
  I have been asked thousands of times, "What about if I am hunting a farm with mineral blocks and salt licks set out for cattle?" In my opinion...I would STAY AWAY!!.." Every hunter knows deer LOVE mineral blocks and salt licks. Whether YOU placed those products there or someone else placed them there, in the eyes of the law.. you are GUILTY!!!
 
  I cannot validate this statement but I had one individual claim. a number of years ago, he was arrested in Southern Indiana because he had been eating some apples and he threw the cores on the ground and a conservation officer gave him a citation for baiting deer because there were NO apple trees in the vicinity. That sounds kind of odd but considering the fact there were NO apple tree common to the area, it may very well be considered baiting .
 
  Another "double-edged sword" is, "What about hunting a corn field or bean field?" To many people, this MIGHT be considered baiting. Deer love eating corn, beans, and other agricultural products BUT that is NOT considered baiting. The hunter DID NOT transport the products into the hunting area for deer consumption.... the farmer PLANTED it there.
 
  Once again, in my opinion, WHY WOULD ANY HUNTER risk violation penalties ranging in the amount of $500 in addition to any other penalty under the law. Equipment such as guns and vehicles used in the violation of fish and wildlife laws my be seized for evidence and upon conviction, confiscated at the discretion of the court.
 
 
  I STRONGLY urge you obtain a copy of the 2009/2010 HUNTING and TRAPPING GUIDE and study it thoroughly. Know and understand the rules and regulations set forth by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. It is better to be SAFE than SORRY!!!