Mich. judge upholds ban on deer baiting, feeding

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - A judge has let stand a recently imposed ban on feeding and baiting deer in Michigan's Lower Peninsula.

Ingham County Circuit Judge Doyce Draganchuk on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit filed by farmers and store owners who are being hurt financially by the ban. Hunters place piles of bait to attract deer.

The state Department of Natural Resources issued the emergency rule after Michigan's first case of chronic wasting disease was detected in the Grand Rapids area.

The DNR defends the policy as a necessary precaution to prevent the spread of the disease. Critics say they had no notice or chance to weigh in on the DNR's plan.

The judge, however, upheld policies put into place in 2002 that let the state restrict deer feeding.