Bill > HB4191

This bill amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to provide a comprehensive definition of deer and elk baiting and establish a new deer baiting license system. The bill expands the definition of "deer or elk baiting" to specifically describe the practice of depositing feed to attract deer or elk for hunting purposes, while clarifying exceptions for agricultural practices, wildlife feeding, and feed storage. Under the new provisions, if the state wildlife commission bans or restricts deer or elk baiting, hunters can still engage in baiting by purchasing a $20 deer baiting license, provided they also possess a valid deer hunting license and limit their daily bait distribution to 5 gallons per site. Notably, the revenue generated from these licenses will be dedicated to research and surveillance efforts focused on wildlife diseases like chronic wasting disease and bovine tuberculosis, ensuring that the fees directly support wildlife health monitoring and scientific investigation. The bill represents an effort to balance hunting practices, wildlife management, and disease prevention by creating a regulated framework for deer baiting that generates funding for critical research.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-HB-4191