this year michigan baned all baiting because of CWD. but what does CWD have to do with baiting

Well the talking heads here in Wisconsin believe its possible to transmit CWD from deer to deer via saliva actually. Its basically a precaution to prevent "spit swapping" between deer that feed at a bait pile and therefore eliminate a possible transmitter of the CWD prion. Thats one of the reasons that I have come across at least. I'm sure there are a variety of different ways deer can transmit CWD through the herd but bait banningwas one potential way that would eliminate a potential transmission source. Hopefully that gives you a little idea on the thinking.....

A deer at a Pic N' Shoot that had CWD sparked the ban, and as jemrami9 said they took a perfectly sensible precationary measure to avoid possibly spreading the disease to the wild herd, or at least limiting it's impact in the unlikely event that it had already gone past the fence.

thanks for the info

Michigandid a "knee jerk" reaction because a pen raised whitetail contact CWD. No free ranging whitetail has been discovered with the disease.

Michigan is havingsecondthoughts concerning the state widebait ban, last I heard.

Generally the disease has first shown in captive deer herds and has spread to the wild herd outside the fence. This is how it showed up in NY State. Many if not most states have proactively banned baiting to minimize the potential of passing CWD from animal to animal by confined feeding locations (bait pile). Once CWD is present in a state it is a new ball game for both sportsmen and the F&W people.

Since they caught a source animal in time to prevent it from spreading a herd decimating disease it's now unlikely that there will be any wild deer in Michigan that will catch it, but reinstating baiting right now would be a mistake since they haven't had time to survey the wild herd to insure that there was no transmission. You should thank your DNR for taking such a prudent step instead of questioning their judgement, you should also petition them to kick those deer pimps out of the state for bringing it there in the first place.

VERY WELL SAID

I dont know how other people feel about baiting, but to me it seems to take away the fair chase for the deer. It's too easy to kill a deer if you put bait in front of your stand...to me, it takes away a part of hunting, and makes it too much easier to kill an animal. Of course everyone has their own opinion...dont mean to offend anyone.

The DNR let someone in michigan import a deer from ohio that was pen raised for its semen. That deer had CWD. And (as far as i know) a wild deer came down with the disease thats because of the panic.

I dont really care that bait was banned becasue to me if you have to use bait your not a very good hunter to begin with. You should be able to find the deer know there routes set up and wait... how would you like it if someone came to pick a fight with you while you were eating dinner? just my feeling.

The ban on bait isnt stopping the gas stations and convienant marts of selling carrots and corn though... which I feel the DNR should regulate and do something about with a ban on baiting.