The deer baiting and feeding rules are currently before the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules (JCRAR). They have until August 10th to either vote to object to the rules, vote to accept, or not vote. Voting to accept or not voting would allow the rules to go into effect in 30 days. But, this committee already voted twice to object to the rule. If they object this time it's permanent, and there will continue to be no rules, even inside the CWD zones for a long time.

JCRAR co-chair Senator Joseph Leibham is in complete control of the vote and will decide the outcome. His constituents, who are acutely aware that CWD and Bovine TB have been found on game farms in their area, have been demanding that he pass the deer baiting and feeding rules. Their concern is justified, as 2 game farms are still under quarantine for CWD, and the inspection reports on fence conditions at some of these places are shocking. Both the Manitowoc County Game and Fish Alliance and Sheboygan County Conservation Alliance who represent over 60 groups voted nearly unanimously in favor of the bans (only 1 group voted against) and are demanding that Senator Leibham pass the statewide deer baiting and feeding rules.

Senator Leibham alone controls everything right now, he has the power to not have a vote. If he does bring it to a vote it's not because of his constituents, it's because of pressure from the anti-DNR faction of his own party. We know for a fact the Republican Caucus (most likely lead by John Gard and Robert Welch) is pushing to reject the bans and punish the DNR. So this means the health and vitality of our deer herd is nothing more than a pawn in a ridiculous game of politics. The legislature better figure it out quickly that this game is not between the legislature and the DNR, it's between the legislature and all who love deer and deer hunting. We fully intend to expose the truth and make sure the public knows who is going to be responsible for the demise of our deer herd.

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