Slice
06-13-2008, 02:53 PM
Following incidents involving hunters mistaking albino deer for piebald deer -- incidents resulting in the prosecution of at least one hunter who killed such a deer -- the Michigan DNR is changing its policy on albinos.
But deer experts also point out that while albino deer are not “rampant” in Michigan, it is just a good management change because albinos are genetically inferior animals.
"They are protected in most states because they’re “pretty,” which doesn’t make much sense," said one source.
The regulation on albino deer has caused confusion on both ends of the spectrum: One hunter became upset when he passed up a piebald buck he believed to be albino because the deer's brown spot wasn't noticed.
These episodes -- and many more which have occured in recent years -- have made enforcement of albino deer regulations difficult for all parties involved.
According to an Associated Press story, "Michigan wildlife officials are dropping a rule that bans hunting of albino deer, a move aimed at eliminating confusion over which animals are off limits. It's among the deer hunting changes approved Thursday by the state's Natural Resources Commission."
But deer experts also point out that while albino deer are not “rampant” in Michigan, it is just a good management change because albinos are genetically inferior animals.
"They are protected in most states because they’re “pretty,” which doesn’t make much sense," said one source.
The regulation on albino deer has caused confusion on both ends of the spectrum: One hunter became upset when he passed up a piebald buck he believed to be albino because the deer's brown spot wasn't noticed.
These episodes -- and many more which have occured in recent years -- have made enforcement of albino deer regulations difficult for all parties involved.
According to an Associated Press story, "Michigan wildlife officials are dropping a rule that bans hunting of albino deer, a move aimed at eliminating confusion over which animals are off limits. It's among the deer hunting changes approved Thursday by the state's Natural Resources Commission."