# Bait > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Bait > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Bait.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bait > Source revision: 1328856828 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Attracts prey when hunting or fishing}} {{other uses|Bait (disambiguation)}} [[File:Tapette.jpg|thumb|A piece of [cheese](/source/cheese) used as bait on a [mousetrap](/source/mousetrap)]] '''Bait''' is any appetizing substance (e.g. [food](/source/food)) used to attract [prey](/source/prey) when [hunting](/source/hunting) or [fishing](/source/fishing), most commonly in the form of [trapping](/source/animal_trapping) (e.g. [mousetrap](/source/mousetrap) and [bird trap](/source/bird_trap)), [ambush](/source/ambush)ing (e.g. from a [hunting blind](/source/hunting_blind)) and [angling](/source/angling). Baiting is a ubiquitous practice in both [recreational](/source/recreational) (especially [angling](/source/angling)) and [commercial fishing](/source/commercial_fishing), but the use of [live bait](/source/live_food) can be deemed [illegal](/source/illegal_fishing) under certain [fisheries law](/source/fisheries_law) and local jurisdictions. For hunting, however, baiting can often be controversial as it violates the principles of [fair chase](/source/fair_chase), although it is still a commonly accepted practice in [varmint hunting](/source/varmint_hunting), [culling](/source/culling) and [pest control](/source/pest_control). == Uses == === Fishing === {{main|Fishing bait}} {{specific|section|date=June 2020}} thumb|Live bait and fishing supply store Baiting is ubiquitously practised to catching [fish](/source/fish). Traditionally, [nightcrawlers](/source/Lumbricus_terrestris), small [baitfish](/source/baitfish), [insect](/source/insect) adults and [larva](/source/larva)e have been used as standard [hook](/source/fish_hook)bait, and [offal](/source/offal)s are commonly used as [groundbait](/source/groundbait) (a.k.a. [chumming](/source/chumming)) in [blue water fishing](/source/big-game_fishing). Modern fishermen have also begun using more [plastic bait](/source/plastic_bait) and [lure](/source/fishing_lure)s, and more recently, electronic [bionic bait](/source/robotic_fish)s, to attract the more [territorial](/source/territory_(animal)) and aggressive [predatory fish](/source/predatory_fish)es. Because of the risk of transmitting ''[Myxobolus cerebralis](/source/Myxobolus_cerebralis)'' ([whirling disease](/source/whirling_disease)), [trout](/source/trout) and [salmon](/source/salmon) should not be used as bait. There are various types of natural saltwater bait. Studies show that natural baits like [croaker](/source/Sciaenidae) and shrimp are better recognized therefore more readily accepted by fish. The best bait for [red drum](/source/red_drum) (red fish) are [ [pogy](/source/pogy) ([menhaden](/source/menhaden)) and, in the fall, specks like croaker.{{cite book|title=Live Bait Fishing: Including Doughbait & Scent|author=Gunnar Miesen, Steve Hague|year=2004|publisher=Creative Publishing|isbn=1-58923-146-5|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/livebaitfishing0000mies}} === Hunting === Baiting is a common practice in [leopard](/source/leopard) [hunting](/source/hunting) on a [safari](/source/safari). A dead, smaller-sized [antelope](/source/antelope) is usually placed high in the tree to lure the otherwise overcautious leopard. The hunter either watches the bait from point within firing range or [stalk](/source/%3Awikt%3Astalk)s the animal if it has come for the bait during the night.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}} In areas where [bears are hunted](/source/bear_hunting), bait can be found for sale at gas stations and hunting supply stores. Often consisting of some sweet substance, such as frosting or molasses, combined with an aromatic like rotten meat or fish, the bait is spread and the hunter waits under cover for his prey.[http://www.bear-hunting.org/bear-hunting-faq/ Bear Hunting FAQ] - (2009) ''Bear Hunting Frequently Asked Questions'' [Cecil the Lion](/source/Cecil_the_Lion), who was infamously [poached](/source/poaching) by an American [trophy](/source/trophy_hunting) [bowhunter](/source/bowhunter) in 2015, was baited out of the [protected area](/source/protected_area) into an ambush at the margin of a private land by a deliberately planted elephant carcass.{{cite web|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/cecil-lion-allegedly-baited-animal-carcass-death-article-1.3859332|title=Cecil the Lion was allegedly lured out of park with elephant carcass before he was killed|last=Schladebeck|first=Jessica|date=2018-03-06|work=[New York Daily News](/source/New_York_Daily_News)|accessdate=2021-06-05}} === Pest control === {{main|Pest control#Poisoned bait}} [[File:Rodent Bait Station, Chennai, India.jpg|thumb|left|Rodent bait station, [Chennai](/source/Chennai), India]] Poisoned bait is a common method for controlling rats, mice, birds, slugs, snails, ants, cockroaches, and other pests. The basic granules, or other formulation, contains a food attractant for the target species and a suitable poison. For ants, a slow-acting toxin is needed so that the workers have time to carry the substance back to the colony, and for flies, a quick-acting substance to prevent further egg-laying and nuisance.{{cite book|author=Pat O'connor-marer |title=Residential, Industrial, and Institutional Pest Control|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TsmqStw-iP0C&pg=PA40 |year=2006 |publisher=UCANR Publications |isbn=978-1-879906-70-9}} Baits for slugs and snails often contain the molluscide [metaldehyde](/source/metaldehyde), dangerous to children and household pets.{{cite web |url=http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7427.html |title=Snails and slugs |author1=Flint, M.L. |author2=Wilen, C.A. |work=Pests in Gardens and Landscapes |publisher=UC IPM |access-date=28 August 2017}} == Legal usage == === In Australia === Baiting in Australia refers to specific campaigns to control [fox](/source/fox)es, wild dogs and [dingo](/source/dingo)s by poisoning in areas where they are a problem. These programs are held in conjunction with the local Department of Primary Industries, Rural Lands Protection Board (RLPB) and National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to facilitate a neighbourhood baiting campaign.{{cite web|title=Wild dog baiting|url=http://www.lockyervalley.qld.gov.au/community/animal-control/wild-dog-baiting|publisher=Lockyer Valley Regional Council|access-date=23 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110913143051/http://www.lockyervalley.qld.gov.au/community/animal-control/wild-dog-baiting|archive-date=13 September 2011|url-status=dead}} Australian hunters often use carcasses when hunting [feral pig](/source/feral_pig)s. Shot feral animals are often left in the field, and the decaying smell attracts more pigs to scavenge over the subsequent days.{{cite web | url=https://www.ssaa.org.au/stories/hunting-in-pursuit-of-pigs.html | title=In Pursuit of Pigs | publisher=Sporting Shooters Association of Australia | access-date=10 May 2015 | author=Robinson, John}} ==See also== *[Fishing bait](/source/Fishing_bait) ** [Groundbait](/source/Groundbait)/[chumming](/source/chumming), large quantities of loose bait used to "appetize" an area and attract fish ** [Fishing lure](/source/Fishing_lure), a type of imitation bait used to deceive and provoke strikes from [predatory fish](/source/predatory_fish)es *[Honeypot](/source/Honey_trapping) *[Rubby dubby](/source/Rubby_dubby) ==References== {{reflist}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Bait (Luring Substance)}} Category:Hunting equipment Category:Decoys --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Bait](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bait) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bait?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.