A Michigan Farm Bureau lobbyist says the state is making progress in controlling the deer population, but more efforts are needed.
In a recent article for Brownfield Ag News, Justin Tomei explained that about 40% of Michigan’s two million deer should be harvested each year to keep the herd stable. He said the state is falling short, with fewer than 300,000 taken annually.
Tomei also noted that hunting has declined since 2000, with 200,000 fewer hunters. The legislature has recently increased support for donating venison, made it easier to get crop damage permits, and reduced hunting restrictions.
However, Tomei says those steps are not enough.
The Michigan Farm Bureau is asking lawmakers to allow deer baiting during hunting season and to consider changes to hunting license fees and deer tags.
The Michigan House of Representatives recently approved a bill that was introduced by 35th District State Senator Jennifer Wortz that would eliminate the state’s deer baiting ban.
Wortz said the move would likely increase harvest and may also draw more hunters from out of state to help manage Michigan’s out-of-control deer population.