The use of bait is a tradition in some parts of the country, and there is nothing wrong with it. If you choose not to hunt over bait, then don’t, but don’t belittle those that do. What is baiting, anyway? Is it anything placed there by man that deer eat, meaning bean fields or other crops, or orchards? Is it that pile of corn? Is it that water tank dug in water short areas? I believe it’s all of the above, but others may see it differently. Sometimes it’s the best way to get the deer in a safe place to shoot. It also can allow the hunter to pick and choose, shooting the right deer or shooting only does and mature deer, and passing on the young - whatever needs to happen in the area. Baiting does also position that deer for a clean, quick, and ethical shot.
Dogs are also a tradition in some parts of the country. Not here in NH, but we do use dogs for bear hunting. So, is that any less hunting? I think that, even though it's nothing I’ve done and it's just not for me, if I were asked to go on a hunt with dogs for deer, I would go just to see what it is all about.
The leasing of land to hunt is a big deal in some areas inside of the U.S., too. This is America, and we still have the right to own property, for now anyway, and what we do with that property is for the landowner to decide, without begrudging them that right. There are miles upon square miles of public land that can be hunted for free in this country, so there is no shortage of land. Yeah, okay, it may not be over-run with big bucks and all, but what are we, just hot-shot “trophy hunters” now? If you are looking for that monster, and nothing less will do, then you need to do what you need to do in order to get it. Lease and manage, or use an outfitter. Nothing wrong with either.
Me, though? I bow hunt, rifle hunt, and muzzle loader hunt. What’s wrong with a crossbow? Nothing! I suspect that the traditional archers looked at compound bows with a “less than me with my recurve” eye as well, at one point. Some still do today. Is it right? I think not, so why beat up those that hunt with crossbows? Since when have we hunters become such elitists? Heck, I would hunt with a crossbow, or a spear, or a stick, or a frisbee, for that matter.
The point is: There are different styles, different tactics, and different weapons for hunting. Be it still hunting and shooting a deer at 650 yards with a rifle, or sitting in a tree and arrowing a deer with a cedar shaft arrow for a long bow at 15 yards. We all have our reasons for being out there, chasing deer with our chosen style, tactic, and weapon. There is nothing wrong with any of them.
The only groups that are ruining hunting are the anti-hunters - the politicians they/we elect, the ones I call slob hunters (those that would kill anything just to kill it), and those that belittle other hunters out there in their legal pursuit of game just because we don’t use the same methods. Think carefully before saying, “They are ruining hunting,” or, “That ain’t hunting,”