A newly introduced piece of legislation in Michigan — House Bill 4445 (HB 4445) — has raised serious concerns among hunters and conservationists. If passed, HB 4445 would permit the use of bait to hunt white-tailed deer during open season. If passed, HB4445 could result in significant ecological and ethical consequences.
At the heart of the issue is disease transmission. Baiting causes unnatural congregation of deer around a single food source, dramatically increasing the risk of disease spread through both direct and indirect contact. This is particularly alarming given that twelve known deer diseases are spread through contact, including bovine tuberculosis and chronic wasting disease (CWD) — both of which pose long-term threats to deer populations.
The National Deer Association (NDA) opposes HB 4445, as it contradicts best practices for deer herd health and management. NDA holds the position to oppose the expansion of baiting where it is currently not legal. There is a growing body of scientific evidence showing that the risks of baiting outweigh its limited benefits.
The Hidden Costs of Baiting
Baiting can create a cascade of negative impacts:
- Habitat Disruption: Baiting can shrink the natural home range of deer, concentrating their activity in small areas and stressing native vegetation. Over time, this disrupts habitat health and balance. Additionally, reliance on baiting may reduce motivation for broader habitat management efforts essential for long-term conservation.
- Shift in Deer Behavior: Research indicates that baiting increases nocturnal behavior and decreases daytime movement, making deer harder to observe and altering natural activity patterns.
- Harm to Non-Target Species: Baiting attracts more than just deer. Songbirds, game birds, small mammals, and even predators are drawn to bait sites, resulting in increased predation and competition, as well as unintended ecological consequences.
- Artificial Carrying Capacity: When bait is only available during hunting season, it can temporarily inflate local deer populations beyond what the habitat can naturally support—leading to malnutrition, stress, and long-term population instability.
In light of these serious concerns, the NDA urges all Michigan hunters and conservation-minded citizens to oppose House Bill 4445. This legislation risks undoing decades of progress in deer management, disease prevention, and ethical hunting.
Contact your state legislators today and let them know you stand for science-based wildlife management. By speaking out, you help protect Michigan’s native deer populations and preserve the integrity of our hunting traditions for future generations.
You can view all NDA’s position statements on controversial topics here.