Bill To Protect U.P. Deer Herd From C.W.D. Passes House

Bringing a deer carcass into Michigan from another state with the known presence of Chronic Wasting Disease would have stiffer fines under a bill approved by the house.

Under the bill, introduced by State Representative John Kivela, doing so would result in a fine of between $500 and $2,000, and/or a sentence of up to 90 days in jail.

Although the U.P. hasn’t seen cases of CWD in the herd, there has been a decline in the harvest for the most recent firearm deer hunting season, according to data from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Michigan’s seven confirmed cases of CWD have all occurred in mid-Michigan around the state Capitol region.

Wisconsin has also had reports of CWD.