Permits allowing private citizens and sportsmen's groups in the Upper Peninsula to provide supplemental feed for deer during the winter months are issued by local wildlife biologists under certain provisions. Issuance of supplemental feeding permits depends on location and accumulated snowfall.

In the northern Upper Peninsula:

• In Ontonagon, Houghton, Keweenaw, Baraga, Alger, Luce and Gogebic counties, and in the northern portions of Marquette and Chippewa counties (north of the T43N-T44N boundary line), permits are issued annually to allow supplemental feeding of deer from Jan. 1 through May 15.

In the southwestern Upper Peninsula:

• In Iron, Dickinson, Delta and Menominee counties, and the southern portion of Marquette County (south of the T43N-T44N boundary line), permits will be issued to allow supplemental feeding if the total accumulated snow reported by the Crystal Falls and Escanaba Field Offices on the Monday nearest Jan. 15 reaches an average of 48 inches. If the snowfall accumulation is sufficient to allow for supplemental feeding, the feeding may take place from January 15 - May 15.

In the southeastern Upper Peninsula:

• In Schoolcraft and Mackinac counties, and the southern portion of Chippewa County (south of the T43N-T44N boundary line), permits will be issued to allow supplemental feeding if the total accumulated snow reported by the Manistique and Naubinway Field Offices on the Monday nearest Jan. 15 reaches an average of 60 inches. If the snowfall accumulation is sufficient to allow for supplemental feeding, the feeding may take place from January 15 ? May 15.

Will supplemental feeding permits be issued this year in the southwestern counties of the Upper Peninsula?

• Supplemental feeding permits will not be issued in the southwestern Upper Peninsula counties in 2011. The total accumulated snow reported between Crystal Falls and Escanaba on Jan. 18, 2011, averaged 37 inches, while the trigger for supplemental feeding in the southwestern Upper Peninsula is 48 inches.

Will supplemental feeding permits be issued this year in the southeastern counties of the Upper Peninsula?

• Supplemental feeding permits will not be issued in the southeastern Upper Peninsula counties in 2011. The total accumulated snow reported between Manistique and Naubinway on Jan. 18, 2011, averaged 49.25 inches, while the trigger for supplemental feeding in the southeastern Upper Peninsula is 60 inches.

How do I get a supplemental feeding permit?

• Supplemental feeding permits are available from local wildlife biologists at the following Upper Peninsula DNRE Operations Service Centers or Field Offices: Baraga, Marquette, Crystal Falls, Escanaba, Newberry, Sault Ste. Marie and Cusino.

What regulations apply to supplemental feeding of deer in the Upper Peninsula?

• Supplemental feeding permits are subject to the following regulations:
  
  Prior to placing any supplemental feed, permission must be obtained from the land owner, and a permit must be issued by a DNRE wildlife biologist.
  
  Feed must be placed at least one-quarter mile or more from the nearest paved public highway, at least one mile from domestic farm animals, and at least one mile from wheat or potato fields, commercial fruit orchards or commercial plant nurseries or tree farms, unless otherwise specified in the permit.
  
  Feed used for supplemental feeding of deer can consist only of grains, second cut alfalfa and clover, and pelletized food materials containing no animal protein. The feed must be scattered on the ground at a depth not to exceed three inches.
  
  Anyone issued a supplemental feeding permit must agree to assist the DNRE in collecting deer tissue samples for disease surveillance and must report to the DNRE by May 30 the quantity and type of feed used, dates and duration of feeding, and other required information specified in the permit.
  
  Anyone who fails to comply with the supplemental feeding provisions will be ineligible for any future supplemental feeding permits.

Please Note: In the event chronic wasting disease is documented within the Upper Peninsula or within 50 miles of the Upper Peninsula's border with another state or Canadian province, the director shall issue an interim order banning the use of bait, and banning the feeding of deer and elk within the Upper Peninsula.

For more information about the regulations regarding supplemental feeding, see Chapter III of the Wildlife Conservation Order, section 3.100a.