New DNR rules nix baiting and feeding deer | Outdoors

"Essentially, baiting and feeding causes unnatural congregation of deer," she said. "Basically, what you're getting then is more nose-to-nose contact. You're getting more deer living than saliva and things like that. What can come of that is obviously increased risk of disease. "

The baiting and feeding changes for the Lower Peninsula go into effect Jan. 31, and Autenrieth said the regulations impact more than just hunters.

"It means that people are enjoying feeding, they're going to have to stop doing that," she explained. "It also means that the people of the world have a lot to do with feeders, if they are going to be in the process of doing so. pattern. "

Food plots where people grow to some extent are considered to be an agricultural practice, not a hunting practice.

One disease of concern in Northern Michigan is bovine tuberculosis. Bovine TB is not necessarily fatal, but it is weakened infected by other diseases such as pneumonia. Stressors, such as harsh winters, also make it more likely to get TB in the first place.

From year to year, there is an increase in the prevalence of tuberculosis in the heart counties of Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency and Oscoda.

Alpena County saw 15 positive tests, followed by Alcona (13), Oscoda (11) and Montmorency (nine), according to the latest bovine TB numbers for the last year on Michigan Emerging Disease Issues.

Seven Otsego, including Otsego, are commonly tested as well. The latest results showed Presque Isle County had one and Otsego County had no positive deer.

Bovine TB impacts cervids like deer, elk and cattle. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not recommend that animals have tested positive for TB.

Older bucks are also more likely to be TB-positive. Any hunters who have a deer with TB are given a replacement deer tag.

TB testing of harvested deer is optional but highly recommended.

While the DNR encourages hunters to check the chest cavity of the disease, most TB-positive deer do not show the lesions.

Chronic wasting (CWD) is another disease of interest to the state. CWD is a fatal prion disease that impacts the animal's nervous system and attacks the brain.

"If your animal tests positive for CWD," says the CDC's site on chronic wasting disease. "If you have your own business, consider asking that your pet be treated individually to avoid mixing meat from multiple animals."

The CDC also discusses hunters from using household knives or other kitchen utensils for field dressing.

Autenrieth said there are restrictions on certain lures and attractants statewide this fall hunting season.

"Basically prior to (the change) you could go to urine without having to really check anything," she said.

Statewide, anyone using deer urine must make sure it is Archery Trade Association certified.

"The reason for that is the Archery Trade Association actually has a certification program for different cervid owners that produce this doe and urine the program helps to ensure that they stay. said. "It's an extra step to slow the spread of CWD."

CWD white-tailed deer impacts, mule deer, elk and moose – which are part of the cervid family.

Some of the season's changes in regulations only apply to the 16-county CWD management zone. Within CWD area – Ionia, Kent, Mecosta, Montcalm and Newaygo.

Anyone who harvests a deer in the core CWD areas are not allowed to move from the zone unless they have been tested for the disease within 24 hours of leaving the zone – or they have the entire animal deboned with the skull cavity cleaned and other steps taken.

There are no restrictions in bringing about the fact that they have been outside the area.

"For the first time ever, we are allowing regular firearms to be used during the muzzleloading season," Autenrieth said. "People in the 16-county management zone for CWD will now have the ability to utilize whatever is legal in that area."

Muzzleloading season starts Dec. 7.

CWD was discovered in a free-ranging deer in Ingham County in 2015. Since then, the disease has increased in positive deer in surrounding counties. So far, the disease has been found in seven Michigan counties.

The Upper Peninsula's Dickinson County just joined the list with its first case of CWD last month. Autenrieth said the case involved a mature doe that was harvested.

She said the positive test result came after routine screening for CWD about 4 miles north of the Michigan-Wisconsin border.

According to a DNR news release last month, the department said it has been tested in the U.S. counties that border Wisconsin.

"This year alone (as of Oct. 11) has been tested by Dickinson, Gogebic, Menominee and Iron Counties," reads part of the release.

"It was our surveillance efforts that revealed the disease in this particular deer," Kelly Straka, state wildlife veterinarian, said in the release. "It is now especially important that these efforts continue."

The disease has become endemic in certain regions of Wisconsin, where it has taken root. The disease is found in two parts of Canada.

CWD has been found to be more frequent in adulthood, according to the Wisconsin DNR's disease prevalence graphs.

While some deer with CWD show signs of emaciation during illness, many appear normal.

"Anyone is welcome to get tested this season. It's still free, "Autenrieth said.

"If they are an animal that they are concerned about, contact their local DNR office or RAP (Report All Poaching) line."

The Gaylord DNR office phone number is (989) 732-3541.