Tallbear
08-29-2008, 08:27 PM
Great Lakes, Great Times, Great Outdoors
www.michigan.gov/dnr (http://www.michigan.gov/dnr)
Frequently Asked Questions
Lower Peninsula Bait and Feed Ban
August 2008
What is the deer bait and feed ban?
Because of the confirmation of a deer with chronic wasting disease in a privately owned deer in Kent County, it is no longer legal to bait or feed deer or elk in the Lower Peninsula. The ban applies equally to feeding for recreational viewing as well as hunting.
What is considered bait?
According to state law, “bait” for deer is “a substance composed of grains, minerals, salt, fruit, vegetables, hay or any other food material, whether natural or manufactured, which may lure, entice or attract deer.”
Is this ban necessary?
Yes. Biologists have long known that disease is easily spread among animals that are drawn into close physical proximity by feed. Although the exact means of transmission of chronic wasting disease is not known, most scientists believe any exchange of bodily fluids -- saliva, urine, feces –facilitates transmission. A healthy white-tailed deer population in Michigan is important for the following reasons:
•
Chronic wasting disease can spread through the deer herd.
•
Without appropriate management within the current CWD surveillance zone, the disease may spread to other areas of the state.
•
All deer infected with CWD die from the disease.
•
White-tailed deer are native to Michigan and it is important to preserve our native wildlife.
•
Any regional threat to a healthy deer population is a statewide concern.
•
A healthy deer herd is important for hunting traditions. Michigan has more than 725,000 deer hunters who have harvested an average of 450,000 deer annually during the past decade. Deer hunting contributes more than 10 million days of recreation every year.
•
Deer hunting annually generates more than $500 million dollars impact to the state’s economy. A healthy deer herd is critical to the state's economy.
Isn’t restricting baiting in the entire Lower Peninsula too extreme?
No. The state of Michigan adopted a policy, which was developed by the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture, six years ago designed to help stop the spread of chronic wasting disease in the event it was detected in a deer or elk within the state or within 50
miles of the state’s border. The policy calls for the immediate end to baiting and feeding within the entire peninsula in which the infected animal was detected.
How does this ban affect bear baiting?
Bear hunters may use fish or fish products, meat or meat products or bakery products to bait bears. However, no substance defined by law (see question above “what is considered bait”) as bait for deer may be used in the Lower Peninsula.
www.michigan.gov/dnr (http://www.michigan.gov/dnr)
Frequently Asked Questions
Lower Peninsula Bait and Feed Ban
August 2008
What is the deer bait and feed ban?
Because of the confirmation of a deer with chronic wasting disease in a privately owned deer in Kent County, it is no longer legal to bait or feed deer or elk in the Lower Peninsula. The ban applies equally to feeding for recreational viewing as well as hunting.
What is considered bait?
According to state law, “bait” for deer is “a substance composed of grains, minerals, salt, fruit, vegetables, hay or any other food material, whether natural or manufactured, which may lure, entice or attract deer.”
Is this ban necessary?
Yes. Biologists have long known that disease is easily spread among animals that are drawn into close physical proximity by feed. Although the exact means of transmission of chronic wasting disease is not known, most scientists believe any exchange of bodily fluids -- saliva, urine, feces –facilitates transmission. A healthy white-tailed deer population in Michigan is important for the following reasons:
•
Chronic wasting disease can spread through the deer herd.
•
Without appropriate management within the current CWD surveillance zone, the disease may spread to other areas of the state.
•
All deer infected with CWD die from the disease.
•
White-tailed deer are native to Michigan and it is important to preserve our native wildlife.
•
Any regional threat to a healthy deer population is a statewide concern.
•
A healthy deer herd is important for hunting traditions. Michigan has more than 725,000 deer hunters who have harvested an average of 450,000 deer annually during the past decade. Deer hunting contributes more than 10 million days of recreation every year.
•
Deer hunting annually generates more than $500 million dollars impact to the state’s economy. A healthy deer herd is critical to the state's economy.
Isn’t restricting baiting in the entire Lower Peninsula too extreme?
No. The state of Michigan adopted a policy, which was developed by the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture, six years ago designed to help stop the spread of chronic wasting disease in the event it was detected in a deer or elk within the state or within 50
miles of the state’s border. The policy calls for the immediate end to baiting and feeding within the entire peninsula in which the infected animal was detected.
How does this ban affect bear baiting?
Bear hunters may use fish or fish products, meat or meat products or bakery products to bait bears. However, no substance defined by law (see question above “what is considered bait”) as bait for deer may be used in the Lower Peninsula.