justnorth posted on November 15, 2007 07:27 :: 1989 Views
Michigan Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement officials today announced additional conservation officers are being reassigned to patrol the seven-county TB surveillance area in the northeast Lower Peninsula during the 2007 firearm deer season.
"We are putting the officers in these counties to increase compliance with the no baiting and feeding regulations," said Lt. Dave Davis, supervisor of the DNR's Special Investigation Unit.
As part of Michigan's ongoing strategy to eliminate tuberculosis in deer and elk, hunting regulations in Alcona, Alpena, Crawford, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego and Presque Isle counties have been established to reduce the local deer population which, in turn, helps decrease possible transmission of the disease. Feeding and baiting is illegal in these counties.
Unnatural congregation of wild white-tailed deer can lead to transmission of bovine TB. A major cause of unnatural congregation of deer is feeding and baiting.
In 2006, bovine TB was found in 41 white-tailed deer from four counties in Michigan: Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency and Oscoda; and in one elk from Montmorency county. Statewide, 7,925 deer were tested. Since 1995, a total of 568 white-tailed deer have been found positive from 153,741 deer sampled. The apparent prevalence of TB increased in 2006 following a five-year decline.
Persons who are aware of any white-tailed deer baiting or feeding violations are encouraged to call the Report All Poaching (RAP) hotline at (800) 292-7800.
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