State wildlife managers are stepping up efforts to change deer hunting regulations to help prevent the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).
More than 700 hunters participated in public meetings last month with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. CWD spreads easily from deer-to-deer causing neurological problems that ultimately lead to starvation. Kristin Phillips is a spokesperson for the DNR. She says at each of the 11 public meetings across the state, hunters expressed concerns about “baiting” deer.
“When you have bait it brings deer closer together in proximity with each other. So if you have a sick deer eating on a bait pile and then another deer comes up and eats off the same pile, they can share saliva or that type of thing” Kristin Phillips says.
There is no cure or treatment for Chronic Wasting Disease. Phillips says Michigan hunters should anticipate changes to hunting regulations before the next season begins.