A bill that would end a ban on baiting and feeding deer in Michigan is one step closer to reality, as a tweaked version is expected to land on the governor’s desk within the week. This change, which affects hundreds of thousands of deer hunters in Michigan, was spearheaded by State Rep. Michele Hoitenga (R) earlier this year.
Introduced as part of House Bill 4687, the legislation would overturn the ban on deer baiting and feeding in Michigan. The bill originally passed the House (57-49), and then the Senate (21-14), and again in the House (61-44). The bill is expected to be forwarded to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer within the week.
Hoitenga gained attention within the national deer hunting community when she appeared before the House Government Operations Committee inside the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing to introduce the bill alongside fellow Michigan native Ted Nugent.
Since that introduction, Hoitenga said she has been on a mission to fight for the thousands of constituents who are ardent white-tailed deer hunters. Michigan has been a top deer hunting state for decades, ranking near the top in total number of deer hunters and deer harvest. However, several changes to the state’s regulations, including the bait ban and the implementation of mandatory antler-point restrictions, have driven some away from the activity.
Early reports from the 2019 season indicate that Michigan lost more than 20,000 deer hunters this year compared to 2018 — a drop of 7%. What’s more, the state’s small businesses, including mom-and-pop stores, farm stores and gas stations, have reported sharp declines in sales. In 2018, the Michigan Wildlife Council estimated the state’s hunters generate about $2.3 billion in economic impact, along with generating approximately 34,000 jobs.
We caught up with Rep. Hoitenga earlier today, to learn more about her background as a deer hunter.
AT A GLANCE:
Michele Hoitenga
• Hometown: Buckley, Michigan.
• Michigan House of Representatives, 102nd District. Elected in November 2016.
• Chair of the Michigan House Communications and Technology Committee.
• Member of Regulatory Reform, Insurance and the Committee of Families, Children and Seniors.
• Former Mayor of Manton, Michigan (2013 to 2016).
• Michele and her husband own PhD Consulting, an energy consulting business.
• Lifetime member of the National Rifle Association.
1. Deer hunting runs deep in your family?
Yes, but I’m more of a Second Amendment advocate. I do, however, also very much enjoy deer hunting. I’m married to an avid deer hunter and both of my sons grew up deer hunting as well. I became more of a hunter later in life, because it has allowed me to spend more quality time with my husband and family.
2. Who introduced you to hunting?
My dad. I went to the woods with him when I was just a little girl — maybe 6 or 7 — and even though I don’t remember much about it — I don’t even know if we saw deer — I would fall asleep on his shoulder and he would wake me up at the end of the day and tell me it was time to go home. Those are fond memories. It really taught me how to respect and cherish the outdoors experience.
3. What do you like most about deer hunting?
To be honest, it’s a love/hate relationship (laughs). But seriously, it’s just so enjoyable being out there in nature. I absolutely love seeing deer, and, of course, it gets frustrating when you go for days on end and don’t see anything.
4. Where do you hunt?
We do most of our hunting on public land. We have also hunted private land. This year, I tried using a climbing tree stand for the first time — that was an experience. I didn’t get a deer this year, but I did see several does. I was just hoping a buck would be behind them, but that wasn’t the case.
5. Bow or gun?
Definitely gun. I really like firearms season. That’s what excites me. I’m always trying out new guns. This year I got a new Kimber Adirondack in .308 Winchester.
6. Venison steak or chili?
Chili if it’s only those two choices, but actually, jerky is my favorite. You can take it anywhere!
7. Michigan or Michigan State?
No hesitation … MSU all the way. My son graduated from MSU with an agriculture science degree.
8. What is the No. 1 issue among your constituents when it comes to hunting and/or the outdoors?
I can’t name just one. There are actually three main issues that I hear complaints about in my
district. The bait ban and the increasing cost of hunting licenses are the main concerns. But I also
represent a lot of people who have to hunt state land and they find it challenging being surrounded by so many other hunters.
9. What are the top three things that concern you about the future of deer hunting?
First, the increasing government regulations, rules and fees that are driving hunters away.
Second, the lack of generational interest and respect for hunting. Today’s youth seem more concerned with staging a gun protest than learning the proper and safe use of firearms for self-protection, let alone learning how to utilize a firearm for a successful harvest. We need
our youth to carry out this time-honored tradition for future generations of healthy deer
populations.
I would like to see gun safety and conservation as an elective offered in schools.
The third item would be the economic impact on our communities in the absence of hunting. This would include our farmers and small businesses that are hurt when hunters stop buying products and services while traveling to deer camp. The detrimental fiscal impact would seriously damage Michigan’s habitat efforts because hunters and anglers largely contribute to most of the budget for wildlife and natural resource conservation programs.
Final Thoughts
Michigan’s hunters contribute more than $62 million to the state’s annual wildlife conservation efforts, and about 60% of these hunters only hunt white-tailed deer. According to a study by the Michigan Wildlife Council, the state’s overall number of male deer hunters is expected to drop to fewer than 400,000 individuals by 2035. Combine these sobering predictions with the fact that more than 53,000 deer are killed on Michigan’s roadways each year, and it’s easy to see how big the crisis might be in a relatively short time. We here at Deer & Deer Hunting applaud the efforts of Rep. Hoitenga in her crusade to preserve the deer hunting tradition for many thousands of Wolverine State residents.