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Ted Nugent Opposes Michigan Deer Baiting Ban, Says It Will Hurt Hunting Industry

Arguably the most famous outspoken hunter from the world of music, Ted Nugent is chiming in on the Michigan deer baiting ban.

Avid hunter and Michigan-born musician Ted Nugent has told Michigan lawmakers that the state's deer baiting ban will be detrimental to hunting heritage and business. He spoke in favor of new legislation that would allow the feeding of deer and elk, as well as baiting during deer hunting season.

Nugent was quoted saying the baiting ban would "chase hunting families out of the sport for absolutely no reason."

The feedback came during Tuesday's House Government Operations Committee Hearing at the State Capitol building. He was in aid of the new bill's sponsor, Rep. Michele Hoitenga, R-Manton, and Sen. Curt VanderWall, R-Ludington, who introduced similar legislation in the Senate previously.

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Currently, baiting bans are in effect during hunting season in the Lower Peninsula and parts of the Upper Peninsula.

The testimony given by Nugent gets a little heated at times, but maybe that's just what we should expect from the Motor City Madman.

Nugent questioned the scientific justifications for the ban, saying "If a disease can be transmitted by nose to nose contact, there's not a damn thing you can do about it." His argument that baiting deer has little to no effect on what would happen anyway is common amongst those on that side of the fence.

"I don't have a lab coat and I've never spent a time in the laboratory," Uncle Ted said to the lawmakers. "What I have observed and what I have witnessed every year of my life is totally opposite of what the epidemiologists have forced us to adopt."

No one from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) or or the Natural Resources Commission was present for their own testimony. Officials from those agencies have been on record saying deer baiting can have negative effects on disease control efforts, specifically the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD).

NEXT: THE STORY OF THE GUY WHO WENT TO JAIL FOR SHOOTING A DEER OVER A 2.5-TON BAIT PILE

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