Whitmer vetoes bill to ease restrictions on feeding birds
A bill which would have eased restrictions on Michigan bird feeders has been vetoed.[Pixabay]
GAYLORD, Mich. (AP) — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has vetoed a bill that would have eased restrictions on feeding birds in areas where deer and elk roam.
Whitmer says the bill clashes with state efforts to keep certain animals from congregating and spreading disease.
Feeding birds is not illegal. But it’s illegal to put out food that can lure or attract deer.
Rep. Ken Borton’s bill would have explicitly allowed people to place or spread feed within 300 feet from their house. The Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan Farm Bureau opposed the bill.
Years ago, Borton was accused of not doing enough to keep deer from his feeders in Otsego County. He said the case was dismissed.