message from ammo maker.....

[85_Ranger4x4]

In Michigan it really isn't about hunting a bait pile... even placing bait just to view deer is illegal. It's about maintaining a correct deer heard without supplementing the deer's natural food source. It's natures way of not overpopulating the herd. It also has to do with the transmission of disease. Muzzle to muzzle contact of bovine quickly spreads disease.

Kind of an eh thing there.

They are going to use the same salt licks as cattle if nothing else, same for piles of grain at bin sites and "oopses" in the field.

 

[Dirtman]

In NJ and PA the state DEP have a ton of corn fields just for deer. They plant them every year and just let them grow for the deer to eat.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Kind of an eh thing there.

They are going to use the same salt licks as cattle if nothing else, same for piles of grain at bin sites and "oopses" in the field.

Oopses in the field are open to interpretation by the MDNR... are they really oopses when it happens directly in front of a bow stand? All I know is whatever we can do to prevent the spread of things such as Bovine Tuberculosis... CWD and anything else that plagues the current deer herd should be taken seriously. I mean after all... these recommendations are coming from wildlife biologists.

 

[Uncle Gump]

In NJ and PA the state DEP have a ton of corn fields just for deer. They plant them every year and just let them grow for the deer to eat.

A 20 acre cornfield is far different then a pile of corn, beets, apples or carrots.

 

[Shran]

I don't think we have any laws against feeding deer... I do know it is illegal to bait them during deer season... I don't know anyone that feeds them at any time though. Most people try to keep them out, the little jerks are very good at ruining gardens and fruit trees.

Back on topic, I saw some 9mm yesterday... it was in a ziplock bag, labeled with masking tape... not even a quantity listed on the bag but "$60 FIRM." Box of 44 Mag for $80. Hard pass

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Oopses in the field are open to interpretation by the MDNR... are they really oopses when it happens directly in front of a bow stand? All I know is whatever we can do to prevent the spread of things such as Bovine Tuberculosis... CWD and anything else that plagues the current deer herd should be taken seriously. I mean after all... these recommendations are coming from wildlife biologists.

Just saying as far as your muzzle to muzzle disease thing, plenty of chances for them to rub noses otherwise.

I have heard more about the disease transmission thing in dry years when the water sources dry up and they are forced to congregate around the few creeks and ponds that still have water than picking on salt licks and other snacks. Bluetongue is a biggie along with CWD.

If anything we are overpopulated here.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Just saying as far as your muzzle to muzzle disease thing, plenty of chances for them to rub noses otherwise.

I have heard more about the disease transmission thing in dry years when the water sources dry up and they are forced to congregate around the few creeks and ponds that still have water than picking on salt licks and other snacks. Bluetongue is a biggie along with CWD.

If anything we are overpopulated here.

IMHO... all the more reason to just not feed the deer.

 

[Dirtman]

But... what of the rabbits george!

 

[MikeG]

Wag your finger at the deer and tell them they are not allowed to eat rabbit food. If they persist in doing so, shoot them to teach them a lesson.

Problem solved!

 

[Dirtman]

IMHO... all the more reason to just not feed the deer.

I honestly never knew this was an issue, I figured if the state fed the deer I could feed the deer since the law is only against hunting on bait piles. Really never thought about transmission of diseases.

Though its fairly hard for me to NOT feed the deer sometimes. When I feed my chickens and ducks the deer will often show up later and clean up the leftovers. I can't feed them in the coupes because then mice get in there and it makes the coupes disgusting so i have to feed them in the yard. Maybe I can just plant some stuff spread out around my property in the spring so they will still come to feed but not be eating from the same exact stuff?

 

[Shran]

Rabbits are way worse. I killed 17 of them a couple years ago - they were living under my porch and chewing holes through the plastic lattice I have up to keep them out. They would eat all of the grass and make big bare spots in my yard and dig holes all over. I have found them in the engine bay of cars chewing on wires and hoses before too.

I think they took the hint. I have one that lives under my kid's playhouse, and that's it.

 

[Dirtman]

Wag your finger at the deer and tell them they are not allowed to eat rabbit food. If they persist in doing so, shoot them to teach them a lesson.

Problem solved!

I won't shoot a deer.

I'll eat them when friends shoot them and give me some meat, but I won't hunt them. No moral objection to hunting, I'm just to damn lazy to deal with all the work envolved afterwards...

 

[Uncle Gump]

I honestly never knew this was an issue, I figured if the state fed the deer I could feed the deer since the law is only against hunting on bait piles. Really never thought about transmission of diseases.

Though its fairly hard for me to NOT feed the deer sometimes. When I feed my chickens and ducks the deer will often show up later and clean up the leftovers. I can't feed them in thr coupes because then mice get in there and it makes the coupes disgusting so i have to feed them in the yard. Maybe I can just plant some stuff spread out around my property in the spring so they will still come to feed but not be eating from the same exact stuff?

Deer will do what deer do... they have to eat to survive.

Take a look at some of the food plot mixes on the market... till up a spot or two (the larger the better to avoid to many animals in a small space) and sow some seed. They have some clover mixes that are actually perennial and come back every year for several year without doing anything.

 

[Dirtman]

Rabbits are way worse. I killed 17 of them a couple years ago - they were living under my porch and chewing holes through the plastic lattice I have up to keep them out. They would eat all of the grass and make big bare spots in my yard and dig holes all over. I have found them in the engine bay of cars chewing on wires and hoses before too.

I think they took the hint. I have one that lives under my kid's playhouse, and that's it.

Now rabbits I will shoot once in a while because they are delicious and easy to clean. But they never cause any problems on my property. I have no lawn or gardens I care about them destroying and I've never had them chew up anything. Chipmunks and squirrels however are my mortal enemy and chew on everything.

Coyotes are a big issue not only for going after my chickens and ducks, but they freaking piss on everything. My goats usually keeps them away though. Coyotes are terrified of goats. One of my goats was yelling one night and I heard a commotion outside, when I went to check the goat had blood dripping off its horns. Pretty sure it killed the coyote but I neve found it. Big momma goat even attacked my friends horse once.

 

[Shran]

I thought about eating the rabbits but thus far they have all been infested with fleas. That combined with the risk of tularemia makes me not want to eat the ones in my yard... have eaten plenty that I shot out in the woods though.

Usually our winters will kill off the weak ones and I won't have problems in the summer. I'm fine with them being there if they're not destroying things.