A Wisconsin deer has positive preliminary tests for Chronic Wasting Disease
A hunter gets his buck looked over at a deer check station
UPPER PENINSULA -- A big change could be on the way for hunters.
Soon, you might not be able to head to the Upper Peninsula to escape the state's ban on deer baiting.
The problem actually starts in Wisconsin, about 50 miles from the Michigan border.
Last week, a preliminary test on a deer at a private hunting preserve tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease.
The deer has been sent to Iowa for further testing, and if CWD is confirmed, a ban will go into effect.
When you cross the bridge into St. Ignace and head west on US-2, you see a lot of bait for sale. It's legal to bait in the Upper Peninsula, and for Chuck Cullip, owner of the Feed Station, selling apples and carrots pays the bills.
“Deer herd seems to be up since last year. A lot of people seem to be passing through, so business is good," said Cullip.
But a discovery last week in Ashland County, Wisconsin could change this style of hunting. Preliminary tests on a deer located on a private hunting preserve indicate Chronic Wasting Disease could be inching closer to the U-P.
"Protecting them from Chronic Wasting Disease or slowing the spread of it is of most importance to us," said Mary Detloff, spokesperson for the DNRE.
The deer that's suspected of CWD has been sent to Iowa for further testing. Results will determine whether or not it will still be legal to bait in the U-P.
“If the deer tests negative, we won't be doing anything, but if the deer tests postive, there will be an emergency order signed by the director of the department and then there will be a permanent order placed in front of the Natural Resources Commission probably for action in either January or February," said Detloff.
So, in short, if the deer tests positive, baiting in the U-P will be banned. Not the best news for business owners like Cullip.
“It's going to hurt, there's no doubt about it, but you just have to roll with it, it's out of your control," said Cullip.
Cullip says it won't only affect him, it'll affect the farmer that grows this bait, and also the state, because of the tax revenue the state makes by him selling bait.
“If that's the case, then you just don't bait. That's all you can do is follow the law that way," said hunter Steve Dey.
If it is determined the deer is in fact infected with the disease, the DNRE says a baiting ban will be in place for the Upper Peninsula by December 1.
A baiting ban has been in place for the Lower Peninsula since 2008.
More details on the baiting ban and chronic wasting disease can be found by CLICKING HERE. Find out what the DNRE considers baiting by CLICKING HERE.
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