2007-2008 DEER AND ELK “BAITING” AND “FEEDING” REGULATIONS

“Baiting” and “Feeding” are regulated separately.
What is the difference between "baiting" and "feeding"?

• "Baiting" is defined as putting out food materials for deer to attract, lure, or entice them as an aid in hunting. A person baiting deer must comply with the baiting regulations. Baiting for elk is illegal.
• “Feeding” is defined as placing food materials out that attract deer or elk for any other reason.
• Recreational Feeding is feeding for wildlife viewing purposes only. A person feeding deer must comply with the regulations for recreational viewing.
• Supplemental Feeding of deer and/or elk is prohibited in Michigan except for specific portions of 8 counties in the Upper Peninsula. Supplemental feeding of deer is by permit only, if specific conditions are met, and is only allowed in a specific portion of State. The supplemental deer feeding area is all portions of Ontonagon, Houghton, Keweenaw, Baraga, Alger, and Luce counties, and those portions of Marquette and Chippewa counties north of the T43N-T44N boundary line. Contact a DNR office if questions. [as per Wildlife Conservation Order, Section 3.100c]
• Food plots are naturally occurring foods, standing agricultural crops, or foods that are placed as a result of using normal farming practices, and are not considered baiting or feeding.

Listed below are the regulations for deer and elk “baiting” and “feeding.”
[as per Wildlife Conservation Order, Section 3.100a]
In Alcona, Alpena, Crawford, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego, and Presque Isle counties:
· All baiting and feeding is prohibited.

In the remainder of the state for: Baiting (Deer) –

• The volume of bait scattered on the ground cannot exceed two (2) gallons at any one hunting site at any time, statewide.
• Baiting can occur only from October 1 to January 1.
• The bait material may be of any food type.
• The bait must be dispersed over a minimum of a 10-foot by 10-foot area. The bait can be scattered directly on the ground by any means, including mechanical spin-cast feeders, provided that the spin-cast feeder does not distribute on the ground more than the maximum volume allowed.
• Baiting for elk is illegal.

Recreational Viewing (Deer and Elk) -

• The volume of feed on the ground cannot exceed two (2) gallons per residence at any time, statewide.
• The feed must be placed within 100 yards of a residence, on land owned or possessed by that person.
• The feed must be scattered or dispersed directly on the ground at least 100 yards from any area accessible to cattle, goats, sheep, new world camelids, bison, swine, horses, or captive cervidae and no more than 100 yards from a residence.
• Any type of food materials can be used.

Note:
[as per Wildlife Conservation Order, Section 3.100a]
In the event Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is documented within Michigan or within 50 miles of Michigan’s border with another adjoining state (Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota) or adjoining Canadian province (Ontario), the Natural Resources Commission has ordered the Director to ban the use of bait and to ban all feeding of deer and elk within the peninsula adjacent to the state or province where CWD has been detected. For more information, visit the Michigan Department of Natural Resources on the internet at: http://www.michigan.gov/dnr (Michigan DNR Wildlife Division - Rev. 2007 Sept. 04 –MLS/RKC)