Michigan bans deer feeding

LANSING, Mich., Oct. 8 (UPI) -- Michigan has banned baiting and feeding of deer and ordered deer rehabilitators to close up shop in an effort to prevent disease from spreading.

The state Department of Natural Resources order, which applies to the entire Lower Peninsula, came after chronic wasting disease was found in one doe, The Detroit News reports.

A judge is scheduled to hear arguments Thursday from an alliance of farmers, rehabilitators and store owners.

Yvonne Pelachyk of Leonard, Mich., in rural Oakland County told the newspaper she worries about the orphaned and injured fawns she cared for this summer. She freed them into the wild but is worried they don't have the skills they need to feed themselves through the winter without a feeding station.

Hunters want to be able to bait deer, luring them with food.

Deer feeding and baiting is also big business in Michigan. Hunters spend an estimated $50 million every year on apples, corn, sugar beets and other goodies.