Gov. Whitmer kills legislation, despite bipartisan support

State Rep. Michele Hoitenga today condemned Gov. Whitmer’s decision to veto a plan that would have restored the practice of baiting and feeding deer in Michigan.

Hoitenga, of Manton, proposed House Bill 4687 to end the widely criticized ban, which was issued by the Michigan Natural Resources Commission amid concerns about chronic wasting disease (CWD). After the governor’s veto, she vowed to continue fighting against the overregulation of hunting activity in Michigan.

“The governor continues to illustrate she is completely out of touch with people in northern Michigan,” Hoitenga said. “The baiting ban does absolutely nothing to prevent the spread of disease among our deer. In fact, it’s having the opposite effect by driving hunters away from the sport. Thinning out the deer herd is the best way to prevent disease from spreading. We need hunters to participate to prevent overpopulation.”

Hoitenga said she plans to continue fighting for a solution to this issue and called on the governor’s office and the Department of Natural Resources to work with her on a compromise.

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