“Canned” hunting is where the animals “in pursuit” and in a fence in area of various size in which say animal cannot escape.
What you friend does is a baited “field” where the animal is drawn in by the bait. Depending on what/where and when and what is defined as “baited”, it is illegal in Tennessee to hunt in a “baited” field.
A crop planted in order to lure the game animal is a baited field
A crop planted in order to harvest(even if it “isn’t) is not a “baited field”a baited field and is legal.
Crazy but game laws often are.
Feeders are not illegal in TX and are often working all year long to fatten up the game [all sorts of game] IMO, a much safer way to hunt.
On big ranches here, does are herded into pens and harvested as a part of the overall game management. I don’t like it but, the sheer number of deer make it necessary.