AmmoLand.com

Michigan Natural Resources Commission Votes to Lift Deer Baiting Ban

Michigan Natural Resources Commission Votes to Lift Deer Baiting Ban

Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Michigan --(Ammoland.com)- The Michigan Natural Resources Commission on Thursday voted 4-3 to lift the current deer baiting and feeding ban in the state’s Lower Peninsula.

The ban had been in place since 2008, when Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) was detected in a deer at a private deer breeding facility in Kent County.

Baiting will still be prohibited in Deer Management Unit (DMU) 487, the six-county Bovine Tuberculosis zone in northeastern Lower Michigan. The counties where baiting will continue to be prohibited are Alcona, Alpena, Iosco, Montmorency, Oscoda and Presque Isle.

The NRC approved a proposal to allow baiting in limited quantities from Oct. 1 to Jan. 1. Hunters may place any type of bait, no more than two gallons at a time, across a 10-foot by 10-foot area per hunting location.

The NRC also reinstated recreational feeding of deer in the Lower Peninsula, with the exception of DMU 487. Property owners may place two gallons of bait on their property within 100 yards of their residence year-around.

The NRC also placed a three-year sunset on the regulations, which means it will reconsider the baiting issue again in 2014.

In 2008, the Department of Natural Resources announced it had detected the state’s first case of CWD in a three year-old female deer at a private deer breeding facility in Kent County. At the time, the Department followed protocol as outlined in the state’s emergency response plan for CWD and immediately banned baiting and feeding of white-tailed deer in the Lower Peninsula. The NRC then passed regulations making the ban permanent, but said it would reconsider the ban in three years, giving the DNR adequate time to perform disease testing and surveillance in the state for CWD.

In the three year period, the DNR tested thousands of white-tailed deer for CWD, but did not detect another case.

The NRC also directed the Department to work with the Legislature to strengthen the penalties for baiting violations. A potential bill sponsor has been identified who supports establishing an escalating scale of penalties for repeat offenders, which would include mandatory hunting license revocation.

If hunters do use bait, the DNR requests they not place bait repeatedly at the same point on the ground, and only place bait out when they are actively hunting. This may minimize the chance of direct and indirect exposure of deer to any unknown disease that may be present.

For more information about CWD, go to www.michigan.gov/emergingdiseases.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.

Filed under: Shooting Industry News by Ammoland 1 Comment »

Grow Bigger Healthier Deer with the Mineral Mizer Bag

Mineral Mizer

Gainesville, GA --(Ammoland.com)- Every serious hunter wants to see one thing year after year…bigger and better deer.

You may have the greenest food plot in the state and the best attractants on the market, but if that’s all you’ve got you are missing a key player when it comes to your deer herd development.

Studies show that dietary supplements give Mother Nature a much needed helping hand.

Application of these essentials has never been easier.

This year experience HUGE results from the MINERAL MIZER BAG. It’s true what they say… good things really do come in small packages.

Mineral Mizer Bag

The new Mineral Mizer Bag keeps it simple… just Hang it, Wet it and Forget it for a FULL YEAR! From fawn development to post rut recovery to antler development, the Mineral Mizer Bag has your deer herd covered. Activated by moisture, the bag releases fresh minerals on the ground, providing a constant supply of nutrients to deer and other game winter, spring, summer and fall.

This porous, UV-resistant, strong geotextile bag is easily refillable and can withstand years of abuse without showing signs of wear or corrosion. The bag works over any soil and is hog-proof, so it can’t be rooted or rolled away like mineral blocks.

Elevate your minerals for better value and better results. The Mineral Mizer Bag makes any dry granular mineral last longer than conventional pour-and-stir methods by producing a controlled, constant drip that continually refreshes the ground lick from above.

Deer find this mineral lick, as well as the built-in lick at the base of the bag, irresistible and will continue to return for more.

The Mineral Mizer Bag is available either pre-filled with one of Mineral Mizer’s species-specific mixes or empty, ready to use with whichever dry, granular mix you prefer.

The Mineral Mizer Bag…last longer, grows em’ stronger.

For more information visit our website at www.mineralmizerbag.com.

Filed under: Gun Gear by Ammoland No Comments »