Is it legal to shoot a piebald deer in Michigan?
It has been legal in Michigan since 2008 legal to hunt albino and piebald, or spotted, deer, whose unusual coloring and markings are a result of a genetic mutation.
What states is it illegal to shoot a piebald deer?
Some biologists claim only 1 in 100,000 deer is born albino. They are illegal to kill in several states, including Illinois; Iowa; portions of Montana; Tennessee; and Wisconsin, except in areas where chronic wasting disease is a problem.
Are albino deer protected in MI?
In some states, it is illegal to kill white deer. In 2008, Michigan changed the law to allow the hunting of albino deer. However, in many communities local residents become attached to the rare game and seek to protect them.
What happens if you shoot a piebald deer?
Piebald deer are certainly rare and beautiful, and there is no doubt that there is intrinsic value in being able to see and appreciate these animals. In some circles it is bad luck to shoot a piebald or albino deer; and the unfortunate hunter is cursed to go a long time without killing another trophy.
Is it illegal to shoot an albino buck in Michigan?
Albino and exotic, all-white deer have been legal to hunt in Michigan since 2008, when the state lifted protection of the creatures, Rudolph said. “There is no biological reason to protect the genetic trait that causes a deer to be all-white or albino.”
Is it illegal to shoot an albino deer in Michigan?
It is LEGAL to harvest albino, all-white or piebald deer in Michigan (piebald deer are white with some brown markings). Part of the confusion about the legality may stem from the fact that until 2008 albino and all-white deer were protected in Michigan and could not be harvested by hunters.
Can you shoot piebald deer?
The legal harvest of albino and piebald deer is indeed controversial. Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Tennessee and Wisconsin prohibit killing albino deer and Iowa goes so far as to protect deer that are 50 percent or more white. A so-called “Palomino” piebald from Texas.
What is a piebald deer?
Often confused with an albino, a piebald deer is slightly more common and is also a genetic mutation. Piebald deer can have varying amounts of white hair. Some piebald deer can be almost pure white except small patches of regular brown hair, while others carry just patches of white hair with otherwise normal markings.
How much is a piebald deer worth?
It’s fair to say that the deer could easily be sold for $13,000, but to public knowledge, the buck is still owned by the hunter. Piebald deer are rare and amazing looking with the rare pigmentations. Calico or piebald deer occur form a genetic defect.
Why is it called piebald?
Etymology. The word “piebald” originates from a combination of “pie,” from “magpie”, and “bald”, meaning “white patch” or spot. The reference is to the distinctive black-and-white plumage of the magpie.
Is a piebald deer rare?
Often confused with an albino, a piebald deer is slightly more common and is also a genetic mutation. Piebald deer can have varying amounts of white hair. Studies show less than 2% of whitetails are piebald and are pretty rare to come across but a true albino is even less likely.