Plan to tweak deer baiting ban

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - A state lawmaker says he's introducing legislation aimed at protecting people from prosecution if they inadvertently violate Michigan's ban on deer baiting.

The ban put in place in 2008 prohibits people from feeding or baiting free-ranging deer and elk in an effort to prevent the spread of disease among the animals.

Democratic Rep. Mark Meadows of East Lansing said in a statement Thursday he'll introduce legislation that would prevent the prosecution of people who unintentionally feed deer or elk.

The exclusion from prosecution would include people whose primary purpose is to feed birds or other animals rather than deer or elk.