Michigan DNR Sets New Deer Hunting Regulations In Bid To Stop CWD

According to UPMatters.com, after months of meetings, statewide, with deer hunters and other interested parties, the Michigan Natural Resources Commission (which sets policy for the Michigan DNR) has approved new regulations they think will stop the spread of CWD - Chronic Wasting Disease - in Michigan's deer population.

A little background. CWD was first found in Michigan's deer population in 2015. Since then, over 31,000 deer (including the buck I took in Clinton County last year) have been tested. 60 of those deer (in Clinton, Ingham, Ionia, Jackson, Kent and Montcalm counties) tested positive. Deer pass CWD through contact, so the prevailing thought is to prevent too many deer from having too much contact with each other. Here are some of the new regulations. I picked out what I thought will affect our immediate area.

The rumors of what was going to happen have been confusing to a lot (me included) but effective for the 2018 Michigan deer seasons:

A statewide ban on the use of all urine-based lures and attractants, except for lures that are approved by the Archery Trade Association. Here's their list.

An immediate ban on baiting and feeding in what's known as the CWD Management Zone. Including Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, Jackson, Kent, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Ottawa and Shiawassee counties.

And enjoy your baiting in the rest of the Lower Peninsula this season - BECAUSE - there's a ban on baiting and feeding in the entire Lower Peninsula, effective Jan. 31, 2019, with exceptions to this ban for certain hunters with disabilities.

And the allowance of ALL legal firearms to be used in muzzleloader season in the CWD Management Zone (see above - that's us) In addition, there will be a limit of 10 private-land antlerless licenses per hunter in the CWD Management Zone.

Here's the rest.

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Filed Under: CWD, deer hunting, Michigan, Michigan DNR, WITL Morning Show

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