MN Deer Farmers fighting laws designed to help control CWD in state

[Bonasababy]

Judge dismisses lawsuit challenging Minnesota deer farm regulations

The Minnesota Deer Farmers Association filed suit against the state over the laws, which restrict expansion and operation of white-tailed deer farms in the state

www.duluthnewstribune.com

No surprise, and I can say with absolute conviction--the only reason these laws were passed was that democrats took control of both houses of the state legislature and the governorship.

Republicans FOUGHT ANY regulation in this state bitterly. They even tried to get a law passed to pay deer farmers money from state coffers--at the same time hunters have footed the large share of millions of dollars of costs to control CWD in the state.

 

[mntatonka]

As much as I dislike giving the government more control, this was one area that needed to change. The deer "farmers" have always had one heck of a political lobbying prowess, and it's directly caused the spread of CWD in Minnesota. Nearly every single large outbreak here can be traced directly back to a "farm".

I don't blame them for fighting for their business, I'd be doing the same thing in their shoes if some regulation threatened my own farm.

 

[Forkyfinder]

Judge dismisses lawsuit challenging Minnesota deer farm regulations

The Minnesota Deer Farmers Association filed suit against the state over the laws, which restrict expansion and operation of white-tailed deer farms in the state

www.duluthnewstribune.com

No surprise, and I can say with absolute conviction--the only reason these laws were passed was that democrats took control of both houses of the state legislature and the governorship.

Republicans FOUGHT ANY regulation in this state bitterly. They even tried to get a law passed to pay deer farmers money from state coffers--at the same time hunters have footed the large share of millions of dollars of costs to control CWD in the state.

Couldnt read the article.

But im unfortunately not suprised. The ag industry, their cronies, and priorities put wildlife last. Living on the government while chastising government.

 

[Deleted member 16864]

How did whitetailed deer become livestock, anyhow?

 

[Bonasababy]

Couldnt read the article.

But im unfortunately not suprised. The ag industry, their cronies, and priorities put wildlife last. Living on the government while chastising government.

Sorry about that. I'll give a summary rather than copy verbatim.

Last year our legislature enacted some laws addressing management of captive cervid farms in the state. A moratorium preventing any new farms from being licensed in the state, strict and limited transfer of ownership of existing operations, handing the determination of adequate fencing at such facilities (required to be allowed to operate) to MN DNR, strong restrictions on importation of captive deer from other states, and transferred control over deer farms from the state ag agency--which did NOT come out looking as being competent in regulation in an audit--to MN DNR, the people responsible for game and fish management in the state.

The deer farm organization balked at a number of things (a spokesman for them actually said this in an article last year when asked about being required to erect and maintain adequate fences to insure separation of wild and captive deer "how can you seriously expect a herd owner to invest in a new fence when the business has no future? If an agency wants better fencing around deer herds, they should pay for it. Keep your wild deer away from us. We'll put up a fence if they pay for it."

The recent lawsuit that a judge tossed out had to do with the new ownership transfer requirements. Judge said "“Plaintiffs argue that the statute is not rationally related to the prohibition of new white-tail deer registrations because the ‘evil’ state seeks to control is CWD, not white-tail deer farmers,” Tunheim wrote in his decision. “However, the Minnesota Legislature passed the statute to prevent the spread of CWD, not to eliminate the white-tail deer farming profession. The eventual elimination of white-tail deer farming in Minnesota, while unfortunate, is incidental.”

Deer farmers plan to appeal.

 

[Forkyfinder]

Sorry about that. I'll give a summary rather than copy verbatim.

Last year our legislature enacted some laws addressing management of captive cervid farms in the state. A moratorium preventing any new farms from being licensed in the state, strict and limited transfer of ownership of existing operations, handing the determination of adequate fencing at such facilities (required to be allowed to operate) to MN DNR, strong restrictions on importation of captive deer from other states, and transferred control over deer farms from the state ag agency--which did NOT come out looking as being competent in regulation in an audit--to MN DNR, the people responsible for game and fish management in the state.

The deer farm organization balked at a number of things (a spokesman for them actually said this in an article last year when asked about being required to erect and maintain adequate fences to insure separation of wild and captive deer "how can you seriously expect a herd owner to invest in a new fence when the business has no future? If an agency wants better fencing around deer herds, they should pay for it. Keep your wild deer away from us. We'll put up a fence if they pay for it."

The recent lawsuit that a judge tossed out had to do with the new ownership transfer requirements. Judge said "“Plaintiffs argue that the statute is not rationally related to the prohibition of new white-tail deer registrations because the ‘evil’ state seeks to control is CWD, not white-tail deer farmers,” Tunheim wrote in his decision. “However, the Minnesota Legislature passed the statute to prevent the spread of CWD, not to eliminate the white-tail deer farming profession. The eventual elimination of white-tail deer farming in Minnesota, while unfortunate, is incidental.”

Deer farmers plan to appeal.

Wow... build your own fences. Uncle sam paying for stuff has spoiled that child.

 

[grizzly63]

How did whitetailed deer become livestock, anyhow?

People that can't hunt need a barrel to shoot their fish in.

 

[Bonasababy]

Sorry about that. I'll give a summary rather than copy verbatim.

Last year our legislature enacted some laws addressing management of captive cervid farms in the state. A moratorium preventing any new farms from being licensed in the state, strict and limited transfer of ownership of existing operations, handing the determination of adequate fencing at such facilities (required to be allowed to operate) to MN DNR, strong restrictions on importation of captive deer from other states, and transferred control over deer farms from the state ag agency--which did NOT come out looking as being competent in regulation in an audit--to MN DNR, the people responsible for game and fish management in the state.

The deer farm organization balked at a number of things (a spokesman for them actually said this in an article last year when asked about being required to erect and maintain adequate fences to insure separation of wild and captive deer "how can you seriously expect a herd owner to invest in a new fence when the business has no future? If an agency wants better fencing around deer herds, they should pay for it. Keep your wild deer away from us. We'll put up a fence if they pay for it."

The recent lawsuit that a judge tossed out had to do with the new ownership transfer requirements. Judge said "“Plaintiffs argue that the statute is not rationally related to the prohibition of new white-tail deer registrations because the ‘evil’ state seeks to control is CWD, not white-tail deer farmers,” Tunheim wrote in his decision. “However, the Minnesota Legislature passed the statute to prevent the spread of CWD, not to eliminate the white-tail deer farming profession. The eventual elimination of white-tail deer farming in Minnesota, while unfortunate, is incidental.”

Deer farmers plan to appeal.

Their appeal was just denied by the eight circuit court of appeals. In the decision, the judge reiterated that the laws were reasonable give the clear intent to control CWD, and that their clam that the laws violate constitutional due process rights was invalid as it protects deeply rooted fundamental rights--and they hadn't presented any evidence that captive deer farming was a fundamental right.

Steve Porter-- the leader of the effort --reportedly received a notice of violation recently for not complying with new fencing laws.

He's taking donations and claimed he wants to bring it to the SC..while his lawyer has not been willing to discuss the ruling.

 

[Johnny Bravo]

Why exactly are there deer farms anyhow?

 

[grizzly63]

see #7

 

[Bonasababy]

Some folks it's kind of a hobby, some trade animals with supposedly better "genes" (usually discounting the fact that 1/2 comes from the doe or cow), some sell "hunts"...nothing really necessary or justifiable given their major role in moving CWD around.

 

[get-n-birdy]

Steve Porter's son Dillan Porter started Hunters for Hunters, an organization that basically started out of the frustration of many in the upper great lakes region dealing with wolves. Steve is all over fb complaining about the mndnr, democratic politicians and conservation officers, along with the leadership of the mndnr. As well as anything wolf related. He has multiple videos on social media of just endlessly bickering with conservation officers on his and other people's deer farms. They turn into long-winded rants about the constitution and a guy that seriously seems to like to hear himself yammer on and on about how smart he is and how dumb everyone else is.

Feel for the guy from the aspect of losing a passion and money making passion, but there's no doubt that deer farms are the reason for cwd in Minnesota's wild deer herd. They are forcing the deer farmers out with a slow death approach. Wish they'd just slam the door shut and be done with deer farms in mn completely. To claim it's agriculture is a massive stretch. A lot of people in mn have some very conflicting views towards the guy's stance on deer farms and wolves. He comes across as a know it all retired LEO with some major chips on his shoulders. Some of them seem valid. A lot of them come off completely tone deaf. Agree with him on a few things and drastically disagree on many others. If he still wants to be in the deer farming business the writing is on the wall and he will never win in Minnesota. He's a hard-core righty and even a lot of hunters in mn while they may agree with wolves need to be delisted and managed, many will never support him and his stance on deer farms.

Minnesota's deer hunting in the northern regions is a shell of what it once was. And it's not all because of wolves or bad winters. Habitat issues and lowering bear tags, along with coyotes all play a significant role. We own hunting land in the ne and when we bought it was an intensive managed deer area where you could shoot 5 deer and there was still plenty of wolves. Now it's rocked back and forth between bucks only and a lottery for the 25 antlerless tags for well over a thousand hunters. Hunter success rates now hover around 10% for a whitetail deer. There's been years we only caught 3 deer on tcams over a full year. Sorry, but Minnesota has far more important things to worry about in regards to managing the deer herd in northern mn than keeping the tradition of deer farms alive and well. Slam that door shut and be done with the catalyst for cwd spread and be done with them all together.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

Steve Porter's son Dillan Porter started Hunters for Hunters, an organization that basically started out of the frustration of many in the upper great lakes region dealing with wolves. Steve is all over fb complaining about the mndnr, democratic politicians and conservation officers, along with the leadership of the mndnr. As well as anything wolf related. He has multiple videos on social media of just endlessly bickering with conservation officers on his and other people's deer farms. They turn into long-winded rants about the constitution and a guy that seriously seems to like to hear himself yammer on and on about how smart he is and how dumb everyone else is.

Feel for the guy from the aspect of losing a passion and money making passion, but there's no doubt that deer farms are the reason for cwd in Minnesota's wild deer herd. They are forcing the deer farmers out with a slow death approach. Wish they'd just slam the door shut and be done with deer farms in mn completely. To claim it's agriculture is a massive stretch. A lot of people in mn have some very conflicting views towards the guy's stance on deer farms and wolves. He comes across as a know it all retired LEO with some major chips on his shoulders. Some of them seem valid. A lot of them come off completely tone deaf. Agree with him on a few things and drastically disagree on many others. If he still wants to be in the deer farming business the writing is on the wall and he will never win in Minnesota. He's a hard-core righty and even a lot of hunters in mn while they may agree with wolves need to be delisted and managed, many will never support him and his stance on deer farms.

Minnesota's deer hunting in the northern regions is a shell of what it once was. And it's not all because of wolves or bad winters. Habitat issues and lowering bear tags, along with coyotes all play a significant role. We own hunting land in the ne and when we bought it was an intensive managed deer area where you could shoot 5 deer and there was still plenty of wolves. Now it's rocked back and forth between bucks only and a lottery for the 25 antlerless tags for well over a thousand hunters. Hunter success rates now hover around 10% for a whitetail deer. There's been years we only caught 3 deer on tcams over a full year. Sorry, but Minnesota has far more important things to worry about in regards to managing the deer herd in northern mn than keeping the tradition of deer farms alive and well. Slam that door shut and be done with the catalyst for cwd spread and be done with them all together.

Having a motivated contingency spreading logic in regards to wolves in MN would be a great thing. Having the Porters lead the charge does more harm than good and makes hunters or those in favor of wolf management look like kooks by association.

I think there's a lot of good in the form of research that comes from captive deer. MSU deer lab for example. Raising them to sell to be shot, pretty much all bad.

 

[Bonasababy]

Steve Porter's son Dillan Porter started Hunters for Hunters, an organization that basically started out of the frustration of many in the upper great lakes region dealing with wolves. Steve is all over fb complaining about the mndnr, democratic politicians and conservation officers, along with the leadership of the mndnr. As well as anything wolf related. He has multiple videos on social media of just endlessly bickering with conservation officers on his and other people's deer farms. They turn into long-winded rants about the constitution and a guy that seriously seems to like to hear himself yammer on and on about how smart he is and how dumb everyone else is.

Feel for the guy from the aspect of losing a passion and money making passion, but there's no doubt that deer farms are the reason for cwd in Minnesota's wild deer herd. They are forcing the deer farmers out with a slow death approach. Wish they'd just slam the door shut and be done with deer farms in mn completely. To claim it's agriculture is a massive stretch. A lot of people in mn have some very conflicting views towards the guy's stance on deer farms and wolves. He comes across as a know it all retired LEO with some major chips on his shoulders. Some of them seem valid. A lot of them come off completely tone deaf. Agree with him on a few things and drastically disagree on many others. If he still wants to be in the deer farming business the writing is on the wall and he will never win in Minnesota. He's a hard-core righty and even a lot of hunters in mn while they may agree with wolves need to be delisted and managed, many will never support him and his stance on deer farms.

Minnesota's deer hunting in the northern regions is a shell of what it once was. And it's not all because of wolves or bad winters. Habitat issues and lowering bear tags, along with coyotes all play a significant role. We own hunting land in the ne and when we bought it was an intensive managed deer area where you could shoot 5 deer and there was still plenty of wolves. Now it's rocked back and forth between bucks only and a lottery for the 25 antlerless tags for well over a thousand hunters. Hunter success rates now hover around 10% for a whitetail deer. There's been years we only caught 3 deer on tcams over a full year. Sorry, but Minnesota has far more important things to worry about in regards to managing the deer herd in northern mn than keeping the tradition of deer farms alive and well. Slam that door shut and be done with the catalyst for cwd spread and be done with them all together.

Not sure how lowering bear tags when their population is down possibly plays into it, and in fact tag #s have been increased each year for several years. Otherwise I wish more folks thought like you!