In Michigan, baiting and feeding is allowable except in Deer Management Unit 487, the six-county bovine tuberculosis zone in northeastern Lower Michigan (Alcona, Alpena, Iosco, Montmorency, Oscoda and Presque Isle counties). The rules for baiting and feeding deer are as follows.

Baiting:

"Bait" means a substance composed of grains, minerals, salt, fruits, vegetables, hay or other food materials, which may lure, entice or attract deer as an aid in hunting.

• Baiting may occur only from Oct. 1 to Jan. 1.



• The bait material may be of any food type.



• The volume of bait at any hunting site cannot exceed two gallons.



• The bait must be dispersed over a minimum of a 10-foot by 10-foot area.



• The bait must be scattered directly on the ground. It can be scattered by any means, including mechanical spin-cast feeders, provided that the spin-cast feeder does not distribute more than the maximum volume allowed.



• The DNR requests that individuals not place bait or feed repeatedly at the same point on the ground, and only bait when actively hunting. This may minimize the chance of direct and indirect exposure of deer to diseases that may be present.

Feeding for Recreational Viewing:

"Feed" means a substance composed of grain, mineral, salt, fruit, vegetable, hay or other food material, that may attract deer or elk for any reason other than hunting.

• The feed material may be of any food type.



• The volume of feed at any residence cannot exceed two gallons.



• Feed may be no more than 100 yards from a residence on land owned or possessed by that person.



• The feed must be scattered on the ground. It can be scattered by any means, including mechanical spin-cast feeders, provided that the spin-cast feeder does not distribute more than the maximum daily volume allowed.



• The feed must be scattered or dispersed at least 100 yards from any area accessible to cattle, goats, sheep, new world camelids, bison, swine, horses or captive cervidae.



• Food plots, naturally occurring foods, standing agricultural crops or food placed as a result of using normal agricultural practices are not considered to be bait or feed.