Michigan CWD Regulations

Executive order no. 2004-3, 4/15/04, transferred responsibility for regulations and biosecurity of captive cervid facilities from Department of Agriculture & Rural Development to Department of Natural Resources. A complete audit of the industry was conducted by MDNR summer and early fall of 2004. MDARD will oversee disease testing of captive cervids. MDNR oversees facility permits. MDNR: Vacant, 517-336-5030, MDARD: Nora Wineland, 800-292-3939, WinelandN@michigan.gov

Importation of cervids reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Import requirements revised in 2014. Must originate from a CWD certified and TB accredited herd. Must be imported into CWD Certified herd and current herd owner must have participated in Herd Certification Program for at least 3 years. Exporting herd must not be within 25 miles of a CWD positive in a POC in past 5 years, 75 miles from a CWD positive in a free ranging within past 10 years if single fence, or in 50 miles from a CWD positive in a free ranging within past 10 years if double fence. Fence requirements from exporting herds must meet MI POC standards (10'). Currently ban imports from Wisconsin, Colorado, and Wyoming. Exporting herd must not have imported animals from WI, CO, or WY in last 5 years. Individual animal to be imported will be traced to all herds resided in since birth.

Importation of cervids reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Imported animal must stay in herd for 2 years and then may only be moved to a new facility by permit. Imported animals meeting above criteria may only move to CWD certified herds. Imported animals may be moved to a ranch facility after 5 years and must be moved by permit.

No regulations related to CWD management are being considered at this time.

CWD Surveillance Program; all death losses due to illness in privately owned cervid (POC) herds over 12 months of age, and 25% of hunted/culled must be reported to Department of Agriculture & Rural Development and submitted for CWD testing. CWD is a reportable disease and if suspected, must be reported to MDARD immediately. Herd Certification Program (as of 2020 all full facilities are required to participate): must test all death losses greater than 12 months of age.

As of 09/30/2021, have tested over 117,000 white-tailed deer, more than 1,600 elk, and 79 moose. The first positive free-ranging white-tailed deer was found in May 2015. CWD has been identified in 9 counties (Clinton, Dickinson, Eaton, Gratiot, Ingham, Ionia, Jackson, Kent, and Montcalm). Active surveillance will continue in 2021 in select regions. Targeted surveillance will continue in the remainder of the state for deer, elk, and moose.

Effective January 31, 2019, baiting is banned throughout the entire Lower Peninsula of Michigan and in the Upper Peninsula CWD Core Surveillance Area , with the exception of allowance for hunters with disabilities for 6 days during the season. Baiting is legal in the rest of the state (Upper Peninsula) from Sept. 15 - Jan 1 and cannot exceed 2 gallons. Must be dispersed over a minimum of a 10 x 10 ft area.

Effective January 31, 2019, recreational feeding is banned throughout the entire Lower Peninsula of Michigan and in the Upper Peninsula CWD Core Surveillance Area. In the rest of the state (Upper Peninsula) feed must be placed not more than 100 yards from a residence and not exceed 2 gallons per calendar day. Supplemental feeding is prohibited in Michigan, except in the Upper Peninsula. Supplemental feeding may Not begin prior to January 1 and must end by May 15. Feed must be placed at least 1 mile from livestock, farmed fields, and orchards. Feed must consist solely of grains and pelletized food materials containing No animal protein and can Not exceed a depth of 3 inches. Neither recreational or supplemental feeding may take place if the location is deemed a hazard (e.g. high risk of traffic collisions).

Effective 10/17/17: Prohibit importation of any carcass of free-ranging deer, elk, or moose into Michigan from anywhere outside of the state's borders. Deboned meat, quarters or parts that do not have spinal column or head attached, antlers, antlers attached to a skull cap cleaned of all brain and muscle tissue, hides cleaned of excess tissue or blood, upper canine teeth, finished taxidermy mount, and tissue imported for use by a diagnostic or research laboratory are all allowed to be imported into Michigan. Any person bringing full carcasses or parts other than those listed above is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 90 days or a fine of not less than $500 or more than $2,000, or both, and the cost of prosecution.

Effective 7/16/20: A harvested deer cannot be possessed or transported outside of Montcalm County, Otisco, Orleans, Ronald, and north Plains Townships in Ionia County, and Nelson, Spencer, Courtland, Oakfield, Grattan, and Cannon Townships in Kent County unless it is deboned meat, quarters or other parts of a cervid that do not have any part of the spinal column or head attached, antlers, antlers attached to a skull cap cleaned of all brain and muscle tissue, hides, upper canine teeth, or a finished taxidermist mount, OR the hunter has presented the head at a designated drop off location within 24 hours after killing the deer.

Statewide restrictions also apply for natural urine based lures and attractants. Only urine produced by facilities enrolled in a Federal Herd Certification Program is eligible to be used in Michigan.

Yes. One facility in Kent County, 2008; Two facilties in Mecosta County, 2017; one facility in Montcalm County, 2019; one facility in Newaygo County, 2020; one facility each in Montcalm and Mecosta counties, 2021.

Yes. The first white-tailed deer was detected in 2015. As of 09/30/2021 the number of CWD positive WTD stands at 213.