If your in an area where deer are accustomed to bait it flat out works.
In MI the rifle deer season is during the rut so big bucks are not so much interested in the bait itself, but are interested in the does that are hitting the bait.
Of course you can just put a bait in now mans land and expect results. Despite what some guys think setting up a baited blind takes skill, just as setting up a baitless blind does.
As Skane mentioned after the rut is over and the cold and snow set in bucks will hit baits, but in my experience by this time of the season in MI every thing is a little gun shy and most of the older deer feed after legal hours.
