BigGameHunt.net Hunting Forums

[CORMIER]

What is the best deer bait that u guys us in New Brunswick? I have used apples for last 8 years but is their something better out their? I have also used cracked corn and beef ration mix, it worked somewat but im just looking for something a litle better.

[Hammer1]

Apples are the best. For some reason yellow apples are the worst choice. A medium sized red apple get them comming and then you can add yellows ones if you want, just to keep some there.
The best, and I mean best, is the little red crab apples. I've seen deer standing on their hind legs trying to get a crab apple off a tree in an orchard when the ground was covered with other apples
I don't know why they ,don't like the yellow August Apples.

The best results will be when you bail at least a 1/2 mile from any apple trees/orchards, Put them out early and keep a supply for them, don't let it run out.
You can get a couple of softwood logs about 8-10 inches in diameter, about four feet long. Secure them about four inches apart and keep some crab apples in there and scatter the rest around. They'll paw at that for hours
A few small spruce trees stuck in front( about 3 feet high or so) will give them the illusion of cover
No need for salt licks or anything else. It can be counter-productive.
Oh, forgot; Cover the logs or nearby stump with molasses

:thumbsup1:

[CORMIER]

Would that also bring in the bears with the molases on the stump

[Hammer1]

Yes,If there is bears in the area, on seconsd thought, I 'd avoid the molasses on the logs especially, They tear it all apart. Bear and deer will both use the same apple site though.

[Thibodeau]

Is it better to cut some apples in halves or do deer smell then just fine when their whole?

[Hammer1]

If you are putting apples out near a tree, you can tied an bag on the tree to get a scent moving a little quicker. Just make sure you use something like a onion bag or anything but plastic. You don't have to cut them up, crushing a couple with your boot works fine.

[canadianwhitetail]

Don't bait too early!!!!!!!.and forget the molasses.....I am a bear hunter/guide and unless you want to change big game focus to bear hunting small pile of apples (spread them out), find tracks, drop a few apples, buy a trail cam and shoot deer. Once a bear finds your apples, you'll know. Deer will frequent your site less when the bear are near. Beef fattener or molasses will only invite the bear in this part of Canada.

[souwest_ghillie]

Hey everyone! This is my first post and I know this thread is getting old but I thought I'd give my two cents anyway.

I've baited with apples for many years and had to put up with issues like availability, transportation, and of course, bears. But this year I decided to plant a foodplot. The lightbulb lit up when I took my wife on a shopping trip over to Presque Isle, Maine. The WalMart had 2.5lb bags of BioLogic Full Draw on clearance so I purchased 8 bags.

During mid-July I started my soil prep in the back corner of my meadow....the plot would be about an acre and a half. I did the tilling and disking and dragging......spread lime and all that stuff.

About a month later I was amazed at how well the plot was growing. But by mid-Sept I was wondering why the clover and chicory seemed to have stopped growing. During the first week of Archery season I found out why. There were deer everywhere! They were feeding so heavily that the plot wasn't growing quick enough! I had never experienced anything like this before....I'd only seen it on hunting shows!

During the next three weeks I saw five seperate bucks and took a nine point on the second day of our rifle season.

So needless to say, I recommend starting a foodplot. They work amazingly well and I'll be hunting over or near one till I can't hunt anymore.

SG

[ratrivertrapper]

I have found that Mac's are the best apples to use also had good sucess with pears the main thing to remember is not to handle the bait to much and don't bait to early or your bound to get bears .here is a pic of one of my stands , notice at the very back there is a dead fall placed in front of the apple pile this gives the deer a false sense of security and he will come to the apples everytime but when he lowers his head i have a clear shot!! good luck in your next hunt

[atomikall]

I Agree with the guy that said crab apples got any people living around you with crab apple trees in thier yard give em a free raking under thiert tree lol.

[ratrivertrapper]

Has anyone tried the product c'meredeer ?,just curious

[marko5440]

I agree...baiting too early will bring in the bears. I have also seen squirrels drag away half my apple pile in a day. I have found squash to be an awesome bait. They love the stuff. Also cut pumpkins in half and the next day you will see the pulp and seeds have been licked clean.

Molasses and the such have only brought bears into my stand.....avoid it at all costs.

[avondawg]

My 2 cents worth - I like Cortlands and macs, guess I should say the deer like em. They have a reall good smell and are quite sweet, which the deer around here like. I always were gloves when I put the apples out and never, ever touch the apples with my bare hands. Also, take a couple apples and grind them against a couple nearby trees, to help get the smell in the air. My wife usually goes with me and last year she suggested (very strongly) that we take a can of pure apple juice and pour it around near the apples. Just to keep piece I did ( and snickered to myself the whole time). An hour later two does and a yearling fawn came in and one doe actually started licking the base of a tree where I had poured the apple juice. A nice, but humbling, experience.