Fishing Forum

Michigan Natural Resources Commission Lifts Baiting Ban
Baiting re-instated for much of the state, will be evaluate after three years


LANSING -- In a 4-3 vote on Thursday, Michigan's Natural Resources Commission voted to end a ban on baiting and feeding of whitetail deer in most of the state's Lower Peninsula.

Michigan United Conservation Clubs attempted to stream the NRC meeting live but the Internet service was down at the Lansing Center.

Commissioners J.R. Richardson, John Madigan, Frank Wheatlake and Tim Nichols supported the order while Mary Brown, Hurley Coleman and John Matonich opposed it.

The decision legalizes baiting again in most of the Lower Peninsula with the exception of the northeast section where bovine tuberculosis remains a problem, including Alcona, Alpena, Iosco, Montmorency, Oscoda, and Presque Isle counties.

Bait could be "scattered" but not "piled" and the amount of bait could not exceed two gallons at any one hunting site.

There is, however, a three-year "sunset" on the regulations and the issue will be re-evaluated then. Baiting and feeding have been banned in the Lower Peninsula since August 2008, when a deer with chronic wasting disease was found at a captive deer facility in Kent County.

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Michigan United Conservation Clubs is largest statewide conservation organization in the nation. Through over 42,000 members and 250 affiliated clubs, MUCC works to accomplish its mission of Uniting Citizens to Conserve and Enhance Michigan's Natural Resources and Protect OUR Outdoor Heritage.