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Last night I attended my local NWTF chapter monthly meeting to discuss upcoming events and the business at hand. During the meeting our MUCC representative gave his report. In it was obviously the issue of CWD and how MUCC was addressing the issue.

It was pretty much the same line as we have all heard, except when someone brought up the issue of how will this effect the wild turkeys this season? Once again the discussion turned to what is allowed and what isn’t. I was amazed at how some of the members present still didn’t know what was allowed and what wasn’t. Even bear baiting was brought up and the issues concerning that. Obviously the other animals that rely on winter feeding or baitng to hunt are going to be effected tremendously this winter. The wild turkeys that winter in the northern lower peninsula are going to be hit hard this year. The flocks in that area have been dwindling every year, due to predadation and rainy cold spring weather. Now we have to add on the fact that there will be no winter feeding as of now.

As big as this story is, it still amazes me that there are people out there that haven’t got the whole story or haven’t gotten all the facts yet and these are guys who are avid hunters.

The Natural Resource Commission (NRC) will be meeting on Oct. 9 to discuss CWD among other things and possibly make a decision on the baiting again. Also this week in Ingham County’s Circuit Court, there will be a hearing to allow farmers, retailers, and hunters give their opinions on the baiting ban. Recently the DNR had a suit filed against them for instituting the baiting ban. Farmers are calling for it to be lifted because of the hard economic strain it puts on them. Retailers are also claiming that it is a loss of revenue for them, and the hunters who are against it claim that it should be lifted due to the conditions that CWD was found in Michigan do not warrant a full ban in the lower peninsula. We will have to keep our eyes on this court case to see how it plays out.

Tim

I personally don’t think that the DNR is doing a very good job of informing the public as to what is legal and what isn’t. I know of many hunters that I work with that say the are going to bait in one form or another becuase they haven’t heard from anyone that they way they are doing it isn’t allowed. Yes the DNR has the information on their web site but what about people that don’t have access tot he internet. Heck I’m not even sure what all is allowed and what isn’t but then again I don’t bait.
Robert

This whole DNR thing is going to boil over….There is a CO in Roscommon County that is following people from the local fruit markets to see what they are doing with the bait being purchased. I was visiting a Roscommon County fruit market on Saturday…witnessed the DNR parked across the street and was annoyed by utter waste of my tax dollars to have him sitting there. I was with my wife and kids..they were getting a pumpkin.. and some other edibles. I went ahead and grabbed a bag of carrots to see if I would be followed. Sure enough….I pulled out and so did he…I returned to my cabin..sat on my tail gate and snacked on the carrots as the DNR rolled past my driveway…… This needs to stop…educate the hunters do not turn them against you or they will not respect this ban!
Carl Smith

I don’t beleive your bashing of hunters that don’t know what is going on as far as baiting/feeding is necessary. How else do we find out without asking questions ?
If the DNR was trustworthy that would help.
http://www.upnorthjournal.com MikeAdams

Carl, I don’t understand where you get that I’m bashing hunters! All I said was that there are a lot of avid hunters who still don’t understand what is going on. That isn’t bashing, it is stating a fact that I have seen time and time again. I’m trying to educate those that don’t know the rules so they can know what is going on. I don’t want to see them break the law and get a ticket unknowingly.

Robert, Correct me if I’m wrong but only 8% of the DNR’s annual budget comes from the General Fund! 17% comes from the Federal Fund, so the other 75% comes from other sources. So I don’t think too much tax payer money was wasted for him sitting there watching for law breakers. Now by you baiting him into thinking you were baiting is most definetly wasting his time! Just because you don’t approve of the baiting ban doesn’t mean you should bash the DNR. Disapproval is one thing, but this anti DNR talk isn’t going to get any of us any where.
Robert

Mike-

Other sources….what do you think they are?….How do you think federal and other funds are generated??? Are you delusional? who do you think pays for these people?

Challenging the DNR is going to get us much farther then just sitting here and letting them spoon feed us. Apparently your willing to accept whatever the DNR does. I am not. Also Mike.. I did not bait the CO…I’m perfectly within my rights to purchase and consume carrots..or is that banned now too?

You speak of Anti-DNR talk….its talk Mike..things are not always going to be pretty and neat. In the real world things get done by asking some serious questions and demanding some action from the government and its respective agencies and departments. I’m wondering what your response would have been if the DNR just banned baiting in the CWD hotspot. I’m guessing you would have supported that decision as well..without really looking any deeper then..well the DNR said it so it must be right and good for me. Leaders do not follow, they lead. All I am saying is how come there has not been an outcry for education instead of enforcement at least in the short term leading up to the Nov 15 opener? Would that not better serve this cause.

I will not be baiting this season. I do not hunt over bait, but I do not have any problem with those that have.

Also wondered what you thought the harvest was like in the LP one week or better into the season without bait?
http://MUCC Garch1

Ok People you really need to speak out on this baiting thing. Because baiting is just that baiting all forms incluiding food plots and in there lies the problem. Lets not hurt the big companys that sell seed for plots that is put in to bring in deer. But lets stop the little mom & pop shops. To put a stop to this all food sourse has to be stoped. I do Bait is see more deer can make A better shot and can take my pick of the deer. Now for The D.N.R. lets face it not the most honorable force. And I think they really do have a tough job. But money is in the mix and it is the root of all EVIL. The D.N.R. are not the most trust worthy unit. Just check the facts. But all and all I think they over did it on the baiting issuse.
http://www.upnorthjournal.com MikeAdams

Yes Robert I’m delusional! I believe you should follow the DNR around like a lost sheep. The direct tax payer money is 7% from the General Fund. Monies come from the Pittman Robertson Fund (oh wait that is a tax also) and your license fees, or that would be a hunting tax! All I’m saying is that not all their money comes from the Genereal Fund. Now as for bashing the DNR. Wouldn’t we do better to try and find out like you said the real cause, effects, etc…. instead of bashing. We can do better than that. I do know that there are a few cocky and bad CO’s that want to prove a point, but we have been told to not bait, period! It is illegal and what do you think the anti’s are saying about this. The hunters can’t even follow the laws!!! We need to work with the DNR to try and solve or understand this issue. Working together and following the rules are better than spouting off and slamming the DNR. This was their fire escape plan that they put into place in 2002. They did what they were supposed to do. Now if they don’t look at what is going on and simply sit back and say no baiting, then we should take a look at what they are doing. This problem is only a little over a month old. Give them some time to catch their breath and figure out if they are indeed doing the right thing or not. Their decision hasn’t hurt the deer herd here in Michigan. So what is the harm. I know some people are going to loose some money, that is the sad truth. No where does it say that we are guaranteed the right to bait. This happens in a free economy. People make money people loose money. Unfortunatly this is how it works. I do feel sorry for the mom and pops places, I have said this in many posts before. It will effect the economy. But what I would like to know is if they pull the baiting ban back and CWD explodes, what will everyone say then. I would rather err on the side of caution for a season and see where we are at next spring, than to pull it all in and blow it forever! I’m not a scientist and I have a feeling your not either as most of us hunters are not. So lets let them do their job and try to figure this out.
http://MUCC Garch1

Than they need to do it right STOP FOOD PLOTS.AS they say nothing that brings in deer can be used.
http://www.upnorthjournal.com Mike

Now wait a minute you guys want it both ways, either allow baiting all together and no food plots. Which is it? Can we all just wait to see what the outcome is going to be first. This has only been going on for a little over a month, this problem won’t be solved in a few weeks. They may still repeal the baiting ban. I haven’t heard anything yet on the NRC meeting today. Why is everyone so quick for a rush to judgement? I keep hearing this “if I can’t bait, they shouldn’t have food plots” “we all should be allowed to bait” then there are the guys who want “all baiting banned” If we keep fighting amongst ourselves there won’t be anyone left to hunt. It isn’t going to kill anyone to not bait for a season. It won’t hurt the deer herd. On a more specific note, if you outlaw food plots, then you will have to outlaw farmers planting crops. It is the same thing. You cannot distinguish between what is a crop for cash and a crop for feeding animals.
Now with all that said, Robert and Garch1 I really do appreciate your passion on this subject, it goes to show that you do truly care. That is the first step in curing this problem and that is what this forum is all about! I know we don’t agree on the way it is being handled, but we must work together and educate as many people as we can to make sure this disease doesn’t kill off our deer herd. Thanks again for your input! Now back to the discussion!
http://MUCC Garch1

I do agree CWD is number 1 But on the same Hand food plots are not for humans to eat. It is for the deer. So there is some problems with it. Oh ya I have been hunting for 38 years and have seen lot’s of stupid things come and go. some good some bad. Not new to seeing things like this. All i am saying is if your going to do it do it right incluide food plots or scrap all but Kent county.
Tim

I do see your point on food plots but I think tha the is one key difference between food plots and bait piles and that is that a food plot is dispersed over a lot larger area than a bait pile so it won’t congreate deer as tight together. From a scientific standpoint I don’t know if that makes a difference but from a non scientific observation standpoint it seems like it would. I myself will be out this weekend hunting a corn field that is a cash crop but I am hunting there for the same reasons that I would be hunting a food plot so there is a grey area there.
http://MUCC Garch1

This go’s much deeper when they bring things like this in to the mix of Wonderful Michigan. Michigan has lost hunters by 10% over the last 10 to 15 years. New hunters and youth hunters are down 20% and they dont no how to fix it. This problem is not going to help bring new hunters. Times are changing things have changed so they need to change. I can hunt the old way of hunting trails and still do. But the baiting and setting out there with my grandson or gradndaughter and showing them that you don’t have to kill everything that walks. Teach them that you can watch this wonderful animial and not kill one at all. Hunting in Michigan has changed and the D.N.R. Has to catch up or we all will lose. I will always hunt. But the young will not follow. Learning is life long. And I am afrade the D.N.R. has stoped learning. this department should be teaching in stead of just righting tickets. Some sad days for the future of Michigan hunting coming.
http://www.upnorthjournal.com MikeAdams

Garch1 I couldn’t agree with you more! That is the best comment I’ve heard in a long time. That is why I do what I do. This blog is just a small part of my work that I do to promote hunting for new people and kids! I work with four other guys and my son (14 yrs. old) to try to accomplish this. You’ve hit the nail right on the head. The DNR along with other hunters DO NOT try to gain new hunters, especially the young. Now I will say the DNR has or I should say the state legislature has allowed the DNR to change the age requirement for young hunters. This alone will not get the job done. We as outdoorsmen and women MUST pass on our outdoor heritage. Too many guys are too interested in taking their own game that they don’t want a kid tagging along. We here at the “Up North Journal” http://www.upnorthjournal.com promote kids first! We all make sure that our kids and as many as we can reach get into the field to experience their hunt before we worry about ourselves. I applaude you in your efforts Garch1. There are not many grandparents who take the time to teach their grandkids the fine art of hunting, or letting one walk by and just enjoying the sight of game up close. Keep up the great work!!!!!
http://MUCC Garch1

Could someone please take me to the U.P so I can hunt. ya see my neighbor lady broke her foot down here in the L.P. so I am scared I will brake mine. In the U.P. I can walk without that fear and hunt.
http://MUCC Garch1

Sorry about the broken leg joke. Bad taste.
Before we all jump on the baiting ban wagon on the side of D.N.R. You need to go to Chronic wasting disease alliance And take A peek at FAQ.How Does CWD Spread? Answer: It is not known exactly how CWD is transmitted.As you read on you will see more on Contaminated pastures then baiting.this leaves me to belive food plots are a Big danger. It states Contaminated pastures appear to have served as source of infection in some CWD epidemies. Please go hear and get some facts. D.N.R has no clue as to what is going on. Letting food plots go is more of A danger than 2 gallons of bait.

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