Mi DNR Trying to Control Deer Population But is it the Right Path?
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources keeps adding more firearm opportunities to control deer and add more hunters, but is it the right path?
Deer Hunting Seasons in Michigan
I was born in Michigan and have hunted most of my life. I remember a time when there were only three seasons for deer hunting: Archery, firearm, and muzzleloader. Technically four seasons if you add the late archery season.
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The number of hunters has declined in Michigan for 20 years. During that time the DNR has added additional hunts, more doe permits, and rule changes to try and control the deer population and get more hunters to participate. I agree these are important but I don't agree with the path.
Here is a list of Michigan's deer hunting seasons:
- Liberty hunt: Two-day firearm deer hunting weekend for youth and hunters with disabilities the second week of September.
- Early antlerless firearm: Two-day firearm deer hunting weekend for any legal hunter with a license the fourth week of September.
- Archery: October 1 - November 14 and December 1 - January 1.
- Extended archery season for Huron, Kent, Lapeer, Macomb, Oakland, Sanilac, St. Clair, Tuscola, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties through January 25.
- Independence hunt: Four-day firearm hunt for antlerless deer for people with disabilities and veterans usually the third week of October.
- Firearm: November 15 through 30.
- Muzzleloading: December 6-15.
- Late antlerless firearm: December 16-January 1 on private and public lands in Lower Peninsula.
- New extended late antlerless firearm season January 2-12 for Allegan, Barry, Bay, Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, Jackson, Kent, Lapeer, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Mecosta, Midland, Monroe, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oakland, Ottawa, Saginaw, st. clair, Shiawassee, Wayne, and Washtenaw counties.
That is a lot more hunting opportunities with some that make sense but others I disagree with the execution of several of these hunts.
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The DNR has finally figured out that there are too many does and created a ton of deer seasons to reduce their numbers since fewer hunters are in the woods each year. Seems like a good plan but I believe poorly executed.
I know many Michigan hunters who travel to Kansas, Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio to deer hunt because these states manage their deer herds way better than Michigan. The balance between doe and buck numbers is better, making the deer healthier, and bucks producing bigger racks. These states do not have those early firearm seasons.
Here is what I think is wrong with the Michigan deer seasons:
- Liberty hunt and early antlerless firearm seasons: I'm all for youth and those with disabilities getting into the woods early but not with a gun before archery season. This season could easily be crossbow only. I'm all for lowering the number of antlerless deer to get a better balance in the herd but not with a gun before archery season. This hunt could easily be with a crossbow. Those shots make bigger bucks nocturnal lowering the quality of the archery season. Lack of quality means fewer hunters.
- Independence hunt: I'm all for people with disabilities and youths getting to hunt but shooting guns just before the rut activity starts lowers the quality of archery season again making bigger bucks fully nocturnal which will lead to a lower-quality regular firearm season. This hunt could also be crossbow-only.
- Extending the archery hunt until January 25 will not increase the number of hunters in the woods because it's so cold. Only diehard hunters who already hunt will take advantage of this. Plus buck's antlers start falling off in January which will lead to bucks getting killed by mistaking them for big does.
- Not having an 8-point or better rule for bucks or something similar is irresponsible by the DNR. I know this is not popular but there should be a one-buck rule. If you are not raising the quality of the hunting in Michigan you will never increase the number of hunters in the woods. Why should someone from another state want to hunt here when it's mostly antlerless deer and tiny bucks?
- Most of these deer hunts and new rules benefit auto insurance companies way more than deer hunters. Until the DNR puts the quality of deer hunting first, the deer numbers will continue to grow and fewer hunters will be in Michigan woods.
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