My very basic question is:…

My very basic question is: why does MNR still allow the baiting of deer in Ontario when virtually all surrounding jurisdictions have banned baiting for many reasons noted below but specifically to address the saliva transfer of CWD?

There seems to be no logical or scientific reason for this?

Allowing baiting can only be a result of political pressure from deer outfitters.

If we recognize CWD as a danger to our deer herd, monitor for CWD, control cervid parts from entering our Province, control scents from live animals why in the world would we ever allow the saliva transfer from a bait pile? It makes absolutely no sense!

Other jurisdictions are often way ahead of us and we need to learn from them.

I am not sure whether baiting is used by hunters and deer outfitters much in Southern Ontario but in Northwestern Ontario thousands of bait piles are being placed in preparation for each years hunt. Hunters and outfitters often wait until mid October so that bears will not find there bait piles due to hibernation. Baiting is huge.

Baiting concentrates deer, often times unfairly on private property or on Crown Land. Baiting keeps the deer from dispersing across the landscape in their natural manner and fixates them in small areas for hunters to remove a lot of the older and larger animals from the gene pool. This does not even address ethical questions.The biggest bait pile in the neighbourhood usually wins in the baiting game.

I feel very strongly that baiting deer should be made illegal and that any well thought response plan to CWD would include regulatory changes to baiting.

I am an avid deer hunter and I wish to protect our resource.