Can't import Deer?

[TSS Caddis]

I had Trost on to listen to while putzing around the house last night and thought I heard something about this fall you can't import deer or elk from any state that is a CWD state?

I searched the DNR web site and couldn't come up with anything.

Anyone know what that was about?

[Bob S]

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=43740


3.100b. Prohibition on import of free-ranging deer or elk carcasses or parts of deer or elk carcasses from certain states or provinces, exceptions; reporting requirements.
Sec. 3.100b. (1) A person shall not import the carcass or parts of the carcass of a free-ranging deer or elk into Michigan if the carcass or parts thereof originated in a state or province listed in the Michigan hunting and trapping guide for the current year as a state or province detected to have chronic wasting disease (CWD) in free-ranging deer or elk populations except for the following:
(a) Deboned meat, antlers, antlers attached to a skull cap cleaned of all brain and muscle tissue, hides, and upper canine teeth.
(b) A finished taxidermist mount.
(c) Tissues imported for use by a diagnostic or research laboratory.
(2) A person that is notified by mail or other means that a carcass part imported into Michigan tested positive for CWD shall within the business hours of the next 2 business days report such finding to the Michigan department of natural resources, rose lake wildlife disease laboratory, and shall provide such information as may be requested by the laboratory.

[Banditto]

Not so much a DNR issue as it is a US Customs issue. My buddies are caribou hunting in a month so we have been actively watching this but as of right now you can't import meat. That may change soon.

[Bob S]

Looks like now you can.

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=45547


Ann M. Veneman, Secretary of the US Department of Agriculture, announced that “USDA will no longer prohibit the importation of hunter-harvested wild ruminant products intended for personal use and it will begin to accept applications for import permits for certain products from Canada.” You do need an import permit.

According to the USDA, hunters will need a “Veterinary Services Special Permit for the Importation of Hunter-Harvested Wild Ruminant Meat,” along with a valid Canadian export certificate for game meat, or a copy of a valid hunting license or valid hunting tag. The permit can be downloaded from http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/issues/bse/bse.html or obtained by calling the APHIS National Center for Import and Export at 301-734-3277.

[Banditto]

Sweet! You know, I cancelled a trip because of that whole deal. I don't regret it, but it certainly did make me not book the trip.

[TSS Caddis]

From what it looks like, they lifted the ban from Canada. So all CWD states are still off limits. I think this is poor timing for this since who knows how many people have hunts booked in CWD states. They should have done this last winter before deposits were sent to western outfitters, plane tickets booked and the such.

[FREEPOP]

TSS, do you want to bring live animals here? I think that is the only problem you'd run into.
You can bring in the deboned meat, skull cap and antlers (cleaned) and cape.

Basically they don't want you bring in spinal cords and/or brain tissue or anythine else that may be waste material.

[TSS Caddis]

They are pretty much leaving you with the only options being to have the animal mounted there or have the animal processed there. Where we hunt in S.D. there is a 2 day turn around on whitetail processing, and I don't care to stay a day or 2 extra waiting on my meat. So, basically they are forcing everyone to just ignore this rule.

[FREEPOP]

I cape and bone out the animals I bring back and then package it when I return. It isn't that tough, and why bring bones back that you don't need any way? I think they're allowing you to bring back only what you need and or could want.