NORTHERN MICHIGAN (WPBN/WGTU) — People living in parts of Michigan with deer and elk feeding bans will soon be allowed to feed birds and other wildlife under certain conditions after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a new bill into law Monday.
House Bill 4303, introduced by State Rep. Ken Borton, eases restrictions on feeding birds and other wildlife in areas where deer and elk feeding orders are in effect.
Borton said under previous law, a person could be charged with a crime if a deer ate from a bird feeder placed in one of those restricted areas.
Under the new law, bird and wildlife feeding is allowed as long as the feed is placed within 300 feet of a home and the total amount of feed on the ground is less than two gallons.
The law defines bird and wildlife feeding as placing feed to prevent birds and other wildlife from starving or for recreational viewing.
Supporters say the change allows residents to continue feeding birds and other wildlife while maintaining safeguards intended to limit the spread of disease among Michigan’s deer and elk populations.