Post by ridge on Apr 17, 2018 17:41:41 GMT -5
In the January 5, 2018 edition of the Michigan Outdoor News, DARREN WARNER (the author of the article) writes that "no one knows for sure how many deer escape from high-fence facilities each year". He goes on to write that this is alarming because of the realities of the increase in Btb and CWD. Ryan Soulard, a wildlife biologist and cervidae coordinator for the DNR states, "There is no centralized database for ear-tagged animals found outside fences..."
Mr. Warren provides the data "that there are 333 licensed captive cervidae facilities in the state, most of which are breeding farms (161) or hunting ranches (132)." An example of the problem was supplied of a 25 pt. buck taken in Oscoda County which had escaped from a breeding facility several miles away. "The facility owner (said) he had no idea the deer had escaped, and wasn't sure how many others may have escaped." Soulard said most escaped deer are not tracked down back to the source.
Amy Trotter, deputy director of the Michigan United Conservation Clubs, . . . said that, "Given that the stakes are so high in terms of protecting white-tailed deer and the future of deer hunting, it's disappointing that the state doesn't maintain a central registry . . ." Large fence operations are required by law to report escaped deer within 24 hours. Failure to do so are to result in fines from $300 - $1000 and jail time of 30 - 90 days. "Some believe these penalties may not be enough to deter owners from violating the regulations." [In the meeting of the NRC last Thursday it seemed very evident that the commissioners felt the same way.] Amy Trotter said, "it would be a good idea to reexamine these penalties . . ." [One commissioner at the NRC meeting also said that very thing.]
"Act 190 also specifies that a facility has 48 hours to locate and capture an escaped animal." If that is not done the deer must be culled from the herd and tested by the MDARD. Diseased deer have been found in 3 facilities but the number of diseased deer from these businesses outside the fences are not known. "Trotter recommends following the lead of other states that have implemented 100% digitized records to better track where deer are going." Soulard said, "they should be required to report immediately once they find out."
If the reaction at the NRC meeting was an indication of the feelings of the commissioners, stricter regulations will be forthcoming [my observation]. I have a question that someone might be able to answer. Who has regulation setting powers over these high fence operations: the NRC, MDARD, or the legislature? The article did not answer that question.
Mr. Warren provides the data "that there are 333 licensed captive cervidae facilities in the state, most of which are breeding farms (161) or hunting ranches (132)." An example of the problem was supplied of a 25 pt. buck taken in Oscoda County which had escaped from a breeding facility several miles away. "The facility owner (said) he had no idea the deer had escaped, and wasn't sure how many others may have escaped." Soulard said most escaped deer are not tracked down back to the source.
Amy Trotter, deputy director of the Michigan United Conservation Clubs, . . . said that, "Given that the stakes are so high in terms of protecting white-tailed deer and the future of deer hunting, it's disappointing that the state doesn't maintain a central registry . . ." Large fence operations are required by law to report escaped deer within 24 hours. Failure to do so are to result in fines from $300 - $1000 and jail time of 30 - 90 days. "Some believe these penalties may not be enough to deter owners from violating the regulations." [In the meeting of the NRC last Thursday it seemed very evident that the commissioners felt the same way.] Amy Trotter said, "it would be a good idea to reexamine these penalties . . ." [One commissioner at the NRC meeting also said that very thing.]
"Act 190 also specifies that a facility has 48 hours to locate and capture an escaped animal." If that is not done the deer must be culled from the herd and tested by the MDARD. Diseased deer have been found in 3 facilities but the number of diseased deer from these businesses outside the fences are not known. "Trotter recommends following the lead of other states that have implemented 100% digitized records to better track where deer are going." Soulard said, "they should be required to report immediately once they find out."
If the reaction at the NRC meeting was an indication of the feelings of the commissioners, stricter regulations will be forthcoming [my observation]. I have a question that someone might be able to answer. Who has regulation setting powers over these high fence operations: the NRC, MDARD, or the legislature? The article did not answer that question.