Upper Peninsula DNR News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 19, 2014
Contact: Craig Albright 906-786-2351 or Debbie Munson Badini 906-226-1352
Upper Peninsula supplemental feeding permits will be available beginning Dec. 15
Since the arrival of heavy snowfall across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the Department of Natural Resources has been monitoring accumulated snow depths for potential impacts to wildlife and assessing the possibility of allowing early supplemental feeding of deer.
With the current forecast indicating snow will continue to accumulate at accelerated rates in the coming month, DNR officials have determined that supplemental feeding by permit will be allowed across the entire Upper Peninsula starting Monday, Dec. 15.
“The snow in the U.P. just keeps coming and it appears that we will be hitting the snow depth triggers for supplemental feeding about a month earlier than normal,” said DNR Wildlife Division chief Russ Mason. “The U.P. has had record low temperatures and ridiculously heavy snowfall, with all indications pointing toward the onset of a third difficult winter for deer. Continuously severe winter conditions of this magnitude haven’t occurred in the region since the early 1970s.”
Supplemental feeding of deer is usually allowed on private land in the northern U.P. counties along Lake Superior beginning in early January and in the southern counties if accumulated snowfall meets established minimum depths by mid-January. However, with snow accumulating so quickly across the entire peninsula, the DNR’s Director Keith Creagh will issue an emergency order allowing feeding to begin at an earlier date for the 2014-2015 season.
According to Mason, the DNR is working to create additional natural food sources on public land, and the Forest Resources Division is working with timber jobbers to leave tree tops at logging sites for deer browse this winter.
Private landowners who wish to help in these natural food source efforts are encouraged to cut firewood now and leave the downed trees as forage and cover for deer and other wildlife.
“We understand that citizens want to help deer during difficult times, however, it is important to receive a permit and follow the feeding guidelines,” Mason said. “The potential of disease spread and the creation of predator sinks are of special concern. Landowners who apply for permits will receive detailed information and instruction from DNR staff on the feeding regulations and guidelines.”
Easily digestible food sources most beneficial for feeding deer include grains, second-cut alfalfa, clover, and pelletized deer food. Although deer make use of apples, potatoes, sugar beets, carrots, and many other foods during summer and fall, these provide little benefit for deer during winter conditions and are not legal for supplemental feeding under permits.
The recreational feeding of wildlife is also allowed on private land in the Upper Peninsula year-round, provided the feed is placed within 100 yards of a residence and the total amount of feed does not exceed two gallons at any time. The feed must be scattered on the ground and must be at least 100 yards from areas accessible by livestock.
Full details on supplemental and recreational feeding rules and regulations can be found online atwww.michigan.gov/dnrlaws.
Nov. 19, 2014
Contact: Craig Albright 906-786-2351 or Debbie Munson Badini 906-226-1352
Upper Peninsula supplemental feeding permits will be available beginning Dec. 15
Since the arrival of heavy snowfall across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the Department of Natural Resources has been monitoring accumulated snow depths for potential impacts to wildlife and assessing the possibility of allowing early supplemental feeding of deer.
With the current forecast indicating snow will continue to accumulate at accelerated rates in the coming month, DNR officials have determined that supplemental feeding by permit will be allowed across the entire Upper Peninsula starting Monday, Dec. 15.
“The snow in the U.P. just keeps coming and it appears that we will be hitting the snow depth triggers for supplemental feeding about a month earlier than normal,” said DNR Wildlife Division chief Russ Mason. “The U.P. has had record low temperatures and ridiculously heavy snowfall, with all indications pointing toward the onset of a third difficult winter for deer. Continuously severe winter conditions of this magnitude haven’t occurred in the region since the early 1970s.”
Supplemental feeding of deer is usually allowed on private land in the northern U.P. counties along Lake Superior beginning in early January and in the southern counties if accumulated snowfall meets established minimum depths by mid-January. However, with snow accumulating so quickly across the entire peninsula, the DNR’s Director Keith Creagh will issue an emergency order allowing feeding to begin at an earlier date for the 2014-2015 season.
According to Mason, the DNR is working to create additional natural food sources on public land, and the Forest Resources Division is working with timber jobbers to leave tree tops at logging sites for deer browse this winter.
Private landowners who wish to help in these natural food source efforts are encouraged to cut firewood now and leave the downed trees as forage and cover for deer and other wildlife.
“We understand that citizens want to help deer during difficult times, however, it is important to receive a permit and follow the feeding guidelines,” Mason said. “The potential of disease spread and the creation of predator sinks are of special concern. Landowners who apply for permits will receive detailed information and instruction from DNR staff on the feeding regulations and guidelines.”
Easily digestible food sources most beneficial for feeding deer include grains, second-cut alfalfa, clover, and pelletized deer food. Although deer make use of apples, potatoes, sugar beets, carrots, and many other foods during summer and fall, these provide little benefit for deer during winter conditions and are not legal for supplemental feeding under permits.
The recreational feeding of wildlife is also allowed on private land in the Upper Peninsula year-round, provided the feed is placed within 100 yards of a residence and the total amount of feed does not exceed two gallons at any time. The feed must be scattered on the ground and must be at least 100 yards from areas accessible by livestock.
Full details on supplemental and recreational feeding rules and regulations can be found online atwww.michigan.gov/dnrlaws.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.
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