The winter of 2008-09 has been cold and snowy so far and many wildlife enthusiasts are concerned about animal welfare as the harsh weather continues. Because of the discovery of chronic wasting disease in a deer in Michigan, there are new feeding restrictions for deer and elk. It is illegal to feed deer and elk in the Lower Peninsula.
Offering supplemental feed to wildlife is not generally a good idea as it causes animals to congregate in an unnatural manner and is a perfect vector for spreading disease. Native Michigan wildlife species have adapted to winter in Michigan and, except in rare circumstances, are capable of weathering the storm. However, some people have expressed special concern for wild turkeys.
Adult turkeys go into winter with up to 19 percent of their weight consisting of body fat, making them capable of surviving nearly three weeks without food. Even juveniles, with less body fat, are capable of going 13 to 15 days without eating. Still, many people continue to feed turkeys, both for recreational viewing as well as out of concern for the birds' welfare.
Although it is not illegal to feed wild turkeys or other birds, Wildlife Conservation Order 3.100, makes it clear that any wildlife feeding must be done in such a manner as to exclude wild, free-ranging white-tailed deer and elk from gaining access to the feed.
Offering supplemental feed to wildlife is not generally a good idea as it causes animals to congregate in an unnatural manner and is a perfect vector for spreading disease. Native Michigan wildlife species have adapted to winter in Michigan and, except in rare circumstances, are capable of weathering the storm. However, some people have expressed special concern for wild turkeys.
Adult turkeys go into winter with up to 19 percent of their weight consisting of body fat, making them capable of surviving nearly three weeks without food. Even juveniles, with less body fat, are capable of going 13 to 15 days without eating. Still, many people continue to feed turkeys, both for recreational viewing as well as out of concern for the birds' welfare.
Although it is not illegal to feed wild turkeys or other birds, Wildlife Conservation Order 3.100, makes it clear that any wildlife feeding must be done in such a manner as to exclude wild, free-ranging white-tailed deer and elk from gaining access to the feed.
State wild turkey conservation groups have developed acceptable methods of feeding turkeys while excluding deer and elk from the feed. For information on those techniques contact:
The Michigan Wild Turkey Hunters Association http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/www.mwtha.net or call Jim Maturen at 231-832-2575, or,
The Michigan Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/www.mi-nwtf.org or call Pete Demos at 989-766-8422.
The Michigan Wild Turkey Hunters Association http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/www.mwtha.net or call Jim Maturen at 231-832-2575, or,
The Michigan Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/www.mi-nwtf.org or call Pete Demos at 989-766-8422.
