State Rep. Mike Harris this week supported legislation to lift the ban on deer baiting during open hunting seasons, along with a separate proposal allowing bow hunters to carry a firearm for personal protection. Both measures passed the House with strong bipartisan support.

“As an avid outdoorsman, I’m proud to support legislation that protects and strengthens Michigan’s hunting heritage,” said Harris, R-Waterford. “The bills passed this week address real problems hunters face and offer commonsense solutions we all can get behind.”

In 2019, Michigan’s Natural Resources Commission (NRC), at the advice of environmental activists, imposed a baiting ban across the entire Lower Peninsula. Regulators claimed bait piles encourage deer to congregate and spread diseases such as bovine tuberculosis and chronic wasting disease. However, those same experts offer little explanation for how such regulations are effective when deer already naturally congregate in fields and orchards.

House Bill 4445 would lift the baiting ban and roll back other excessive deer and elk feeding restrictions, restoring common sense wildlife management tools for hunters and landowners.

“By lifting the baiting ban, we’re ensuring state law reflects reality,” Harris said. “Michigan is facing a serious deer overpopulation problem. Allowing baiting will encourage participation in hunting and help get more deer off our roads.”

Under current Michigan law, bow hunters may only carry a pistol if they hold a valid Concealed Pistol License – even when the firearm is carried openly. As a result, individuals who are otherwise legally allowed to open-carry lose that right once they step into the woods with a bow. House Bill 4855 would eliminate this contradiction and ensure bow hunters can carry a firearm for personal protection.

“Bow hunting is fun, but it can also be dangerous, especially in areas with large or aggressive wildlife,” said Harris. “We continue to see dangerous interactions involving bears, coyotes, and wolves. Hunters are not immune to these threats, and bow hunters in particular cannot quickly respond if their only means of defense is a bow and arrow. This commonsense plan ensures bow hunters can protect themselves in unexpected and dangerous situations.”

Both proposals now move to the Senate for further consideration.

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