Corn syrup as deer bait

[rf2]

Do deer like sweets? All I usually use to keep deer in an area is salt blocks and occasionally apples if I can get some for free. I have a bottle of No Name corn syrup that my wife was going to throw out because it's old, and I thought that instead of throwing it in the garbage, I might use it to attract deer. Has anybody tried this? Will I just attract bears and other critters, or will it work for deer?

[MikePal]

They love molasses, it's what's poured all over that Deer Corn you buy at TSC...so I would give it a try, pour it over some whole corn and see what happens.

[Deer Wrastler]

cant see why not they like corn to begin with. cant be worse than all the "magic powders and attactants" people pour over bait. I would think corn syrup may be in some of those products but I dont bother with them I prefer natural food sources just think unnatural stuff might spook the wiser deer. I have tried molasses mix and the deer ate it, havent tried it enough to know if its preferred over plain corn. What I did read though is that bait can have a reverse effect if the deer are cognizant of hunters they know the bait is safer at night and some say bait piles could cause the deer to go into more of a nocturnal pattern or just visit the bait late at night when they know its safe and unoccupied. So im asking myself if a bait pile is actually a good thing or not and hunting near it may educate the wiser ones...some food for thought

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[Big Jack]

I've wondered the same thing. Sometimes I think the "less is more" approach is better.

Some folks seem to have it locked in though.

Due to the abundance of food in our area, we found bait piles seemed not to work at all so we stopped.

[js4fn]

Have poured some over sugar beets cut beets up with a shovel they disappear fast


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[Cintax]

What I did read though is that bait can have a reverse effect if the deer are cognizant of hunters they know the bait is safer at night and some say bait piles could cause the deer to go into more of a nocturnal pattern or just visit the bait late at night when they know its safe and unoccupied. So im asking myself if a bait pile is actually a good thing or not and hunting near it may educate the wiser ones...some food for thought

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I suppose that depends on the situation. Would this hold true if you used corn at the edge of a corn field for example?

[Deer Wrastler]

I have my plain corn 5 yards from a cornfield and they prefer it over the stalks. They are somewhat lazy in that they will eat whats on the ground because its available and easier to get at. Give it a try and put a camera up close by just watch how much scent you carry in and try not to disturb it. once the corn starts to rot they won't touch it though.

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[exocet]

Sure they will once they find it.
Heres one DIY that has worked:

Put whole corn or cobs in a large pot, pour in apple juice just enough to get all corn covered. Heat on med and just when it starts steaming before boiling, pour in your corn syrup or mollasses. Let it cool then strain and pour into spray bottles. Spray on bait, vegetation, shooting lane around stand. you can also add a tsp vanilla, 1 tsp anise oil, tsp maple extract, 1/4 tsp almond extract as well - this is better for times when you prep your area before hunting as it will introduce different odours (and careful with this in bear area too). But the first recipe is usually good to go, especially if corn fields and apple trees are in the area.

you can put the actual corn in the oven and heat about 250 to 300 just until its no longer wet. Bag or can it and scatter it around too, ( ive also done this with acorns and its worked)

also, be ready for coons, they will really come out to the sweet smell as well so dont get discouraged seeing them often using syrups and or extracts

[exocet]

let me back up, after adding syrup or what have you when it is steaming, stir well to get the syrup or molasses mixed in well and once it starts to bubble, remove it from heat.

[pbonura]

coons will hit it first. They eat everything now.