Bill to Help Combat Chronic Wasting Disease in Deer Herd Passes Senate

A bill designed to help in the battle against chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Michigan’s deer herd passed the Senate Thursday.

State Senator Rick Jones is the sponsor of a measure that eliminates a sunset on the Natural Resources Commission’s authority to continue bans on deer and elk baiting.

He says it’s in response to the recent discovery of chronic wasting disease in three deer in mid-Michigan.

Jones says when deer congregate at these feeding areas is when CWD is most easily spread, so it’s important to ban baiting to help safeguard the state’s deer herd from the disease.

CWD is a neurological disease that causes erratic behavior in deer and elk and eventual death.

It can’t be spread to people.

The measure now goes to the House.