I'm talking about hunting with a rifle only. I'm not saying these things aren't better; I'm only saying they're not necessary. I successfully hunted without these things for years until I moved to Texas.

When it comes to all the new camo coming out, it's really not necessary. My father and I used to dress for the weather. It really didn't matter because we wore at least 400 square inches of blaze orange. Many states have a law requiring 400 sq inches and those hunters kill deer with no problems.

As far as blinds go, you can use natural blinds: trees, shrubs, old farm equipment, tall weeds...etc. When I see someone purchasing a $1000+ blind I just laugh.

As far as feeders go, baiting is illegal in several states and again those hunters harvest excellent deer. Sitting in a patch of oaks or crop works better. I grow tired of hearing "there are no deer b/c they're not at my feeder". Move off of your feeders and hunt. Teach kids how to look for signs of deer; not the best prices on corn.

I do agree. i learned to hunt in a stand when i was lil. but man you can only sit for so long. so once i hit about 13 me an my cousin would be dropped off at the blind sit for a bit till the elders were gone an off we went! we knew our boundries of were the other hunters were an locations of every one which weren,t very many of them. we had 2000 ac. so we had alot to roam. we saw more game then anyone else each day. an found us better spots to hunt IF we wanted to sit down. the only pain was dragging them out of those spots to the road ha ha ha . this was out in con can tx it is nothing but HILLS. but now the ranch has been sold for two years now an unfortunately i have to look at a feeder now. but blessed my cousin got a nice lil place to go hunt at.

Using a feeder is not "baiting" - feeders are for supplemental feeding.The only bait I know of is at the end of my shimano.
Feeders started out as a good idea and a way to supplemental feeding.Then the LAZY factor kicked in and people started putting their blinds 50 yeards from the feeder and started shooting the deer while they were standing under the feeder- sad state of affairs we the "hunter" is in now days.I've hunted Tx all my life- the way somethings are going today is just beyond ridiculous.I would comment further- but I learned yesterday that there is somebody sitting in the dark and if he/she dont agree with us- then the entire thread will disappear..no need in getting to involved anymore-

And here comes the West Virginia expert on hunting in Texas. I just love know-it-all northerners.

That's cause if it has Bone of anykind in wv, they shoot it, one of our guys dad's came and hunted with us this yeAr and thought we were all nutz on the deer we were passing, and Ge talked to us bout hunting in wv.

I will gladly sit in my heated blind watching my dvd player 75yds from my corn feeder all day!!! Thats my right!!!!! It doesnt matter, yea I hunt differently when I bow hunt but why if I dont have too??? My property is less than 400 ac. and we have 6 hunters on it. It has been pretty much clear cut so It doesnt hold deer. Generalizing the way we hunt here in Tx is wrong of you to do. Not everybody hunts like that and even if they did who cares. It makes it enjoyable for most. Personaly I dont like the idea of not knowing where someone may be when I shoot. Out walking around in the woods isnt all that good of an idea, I hear stories all the time about ppl who shoot at sound not what they see, and its everywhere not just in Texas. If thats the way you like to hunt thats great, but dont bring you Wv butt down here and speak down on the way some people hunt.

West Vir,

Not being critical here (dont want somebody to not comprehend) but if your outloook on feeders is what you state- then lets get rid of all the acorn trees ,corn fields and fruit trees, I mean afterall they ATTRACT deer and that seems to be where your mis-guided, right ?? I understand your thought - but does it have merit ?? I cant stand people who will shoot a deer under a feeder and then run around town all day telling the rest of us what a great " hunt" he had...different times,different generation- so goes the old saying - when in Rome -well your in Tx now

Of course none of it is necessary. Does the absence of feeders, blinds, and camo spontaneously combust all the deer in your area? No. They're still there.

They're all just tools people choose to utilize. You don't want to? Great, more power to you. Others do? Good for them.

Your statement was pretty "Captain Obvious".

As to your sig line, if hunting over a feeder isn't hunting, then is hunting over a planted field? How is it different? It is all about perspective, if you don't like it don't do it. However don't come to Texas and denouce it, because here it happens to be LEGAL.

I always see all the big deer that come out of West Virginia and get jealous...wait, not sure I have ever seen pictures of monster whitetail come from there.

I love reading the articles from all the biologist from West Virginia on how to improve the herds and manage the land and wildlife...wait, I can't recall any of them.

It is amazing how many people plan hunting trips to West Virginia...wait, I am pretty sure I don't know one person that was ever excited about going to hunt there.

Where do you draw the line on what is considered "hunting." You compare a feeder to baiting. What about a 40 acre food plot that serves no agriculture purpose?

This argument could go in so many directions. How is it hunting when you can shoot a deer at 300 yards. You aren't hunting, you are just shooting. I say hunting with anything besides a home-made bow and arrow isn't hunting, it is just killing.

Get off your high horse and don't generalize all the hunters in Texas as sitting in a $1000 blind and shooting deer at 70 yards under a feeder.

For the people that do that exact thing, more power to you. For the people that prefer to spot and stalk, have fun. For the people that pick a trail and sit all day, take a snack.

Is it necessary to use doe urine? No, but it might help. Is it necessary to use rattling horns or a grunt tube? No, but I have seen some great results. Is it necessary for some people to even walk off their front porch to shoot a deer? No. We do thousands of things that are not necessary, but we do it because we enjoy it. We do it becuase we get to see wildlife and nature. We do it because we can. Just because something is not necessary does not mean that it doesn't improve your chances.

If you don't like it, don't do it. But don't tell me you are better than me because you can identify a track in the dirt or kill a deer wearing a white T-shirt, or whatever you think makes you so great.

Welcome to Texas

Well said -txshntr

Them Yankees would rather do deer drives then use feeders.

I got a food plot exactly 225 yds from my back porch. I put it at this distance because I figured if it was anything less than that, I would be considered a lazy hunter. Now after I shoot a deer, I have to drive my arctic cat 125 yds further than optimal distance to load it, and bring it back. Now I don't have to worry about what everybody else thinks...West Virginia transplants included.

Well, personally, this texan has seen the light....gread advice wvtexan!

Currently making a burn pile in the back yard with my fourwheeler, duck decoys, calls, camo, and all my guns.

If you're lookin for me this weekend, you can find me in the city park with a loaf of bread and a handful of rocks, sportin my metallic blue J-lo jumpsuit.

-scratch that, loaf of bread is totally unnecessary.

we wore at least 400 square inches of blaze orange.

That's required because it's necessary. Why is it necessary??? Because W.V. hunters are well known for shooting at movement in the trees/brush before they've identified their target. Imagine their surprise when the discovered that they shot another hunter. Happens every year up there. Danged knuckleheads taking to the field armed and ready to kill anything that moves, literally.

I think that maybe if you spent your time trying to reform the hunters from your state and not bothering with hunters from other states, that you obviously know little or nothing about, you might find yourself in a full time job.

I think we manage quite well here without the assistance or advice of the obviously superior hunters of W.V.

TO EACH HIS OWN !!

You are allow your opinion but when put like the OP did, if you don't like it...keep quiet when you have that type of attitude.

it's been five years since i last got to hunt and it was on 300 acres with other hunters so there was no wandering around. i had one day to do the hunt and was set up on a feeder at 75 yds, any further and my acuracy was diminished due to not shooting very often anymore. i got a small 4 point for the freezer and i was thrilled to get it with short notice of the hunt. say what you want about feeders and blinds but they helped me out that day.

Why do you need a rifle? Can't you just use a bow? Or how about a rock or a sharpened stick?

Country roads, take me home
To the place, I be-long
West virginia, mountain momma
Take me home, country roads

In summary: Less talking about feeders, more making moonshine.

Thanks in advance.

Bottom line is I could walk to the property and not need a pickup either, but that is not going to happen. It is only 180 miles, but you do it your way and I will do it mine. I won't advise you how to hunt in WV and you just sort of keep your ideas about the way I hunt to yourself while you are here in Texas. And what is your reason for being here? Hope it is not to hand out free advice.

No offense, but if the game warden sees you shoot dove from around a feeder, he'll cite you for hunting doves in a "Baited Area".

Ima NY transplant to the greatest state in the union, TX....with most of my family still residing in the liberal filled, moronic gun/hunting laws, I can say that most northerners are just jealous of the freedoms to hunt in a much wider variety of ways and for longer here in Texas!

God bless Texas!

No offense taken. I never saw any reference to bird hunting. Besides, I would rather look at deer than bother hunting any type of bird. To each their own.

West Vir....Don't think that us Texans are all buttholes. We are just buttholes to Yankee transplants that try to tell us how to go about our bidness, that's all.