DNR Forecast
U.P. Hunters May See More Deer Than in Previous 2 Years

With this year's deer population slightly higher than last year's, the number of deer expected to be harvested in Michigan this hunting season will be similar to last year's harvest of 450,000 deer, the Department of Natural Resources reported. Upper Peninsula hunters are expected to see more deer than in the past two years.

The deer herd is dynamic and not evenly distributed across the state, with most of the population found on private land. The whitetails' reproductive capability and their ability to adapt to the variety of habitats across the state have resulted in a Michigan deer herd estimated by biologists to be more than 1.6 million animals.

In the last decade, the southern half of the Lower Peninsula has contained an increasing proportion of the statewide deer population. For the last two years, 60% of all deer taken were harvested in southern Michigan. This trend is expected to continue in 2007.

In the Upper Peninsula, hunters are advised to avoid the area of this summer's Sleeper Lakes Fire north of Newberry, as conditions may not be suitable for hunting this year. Among the safety concerns is the large number of standing trees with weakened root systems that are likely to topple without warning in windy conditions. Riding off-road vehicles is prohibited in the fire area, and the DNR will be strongly enforcing this throughout the fall as ongoing restoration work in the forest continues.

UPPER PENINSULA

The unusually mild winter meant most U.P. deer survived winter in excellent condition. Fawn production and survival appears to be above normal. These two factors should result in hunters seeing more deer in the U.P. than in the last couple of years, the DNR reported.

Deer are not evenly distributed across the U.P., with fewer deer in the northern areas and the highest deer numbers anticipated in the south-central area of Menominee, Delta, Dickinson, Iron, and southern Marquette counties. The yearling buck population is expected to be slightly above normal, which should produce a good buck harvest.

Some U.P. counties still have more deer than desired by the DNR. Antlerless deer hunting opportunities on private farm lands this year may help to reduce the population.

Only public land antlerless licenses are valid on Commercial Forest Land, the DNR reminds hunters.

EASTERN UPPER

PENINSULA

For the second consecutive year, the winter was relatively mild, resulting in higher than average survival of yearlings and good fawn production this spring. It is estimated that the Eastern Upper Peninsula (EUP) will experience a fall deer population slightly above that of 2006. Distribution of deer will not be uniform, with agricultural areas having higher deer densities, and public land and heavily forested areas containing fewer deer than the average for these areas.

The southern portion of the EUP will have higher deer numbers, with deer densities decreasing farther north.

Although older bucks will be few due to poor fawn survival during the harsh winter of 2004- 05, one- and two-year-old bucks should be present in good numbers, with good antler development. A high proportion of yearling bucks are expected in the harvest this year.

The availability of antlerless licenses has been increased in most areas of the EUP, with a corresponding increase in antlerless harvest anticipated. Hunters are encouraged to scout private agricultural lands and check with farmers who may desire fewer deer on their lands.

For the third straight year, fruit and nut production has been variable across the EUP. Drought conditions have been severe over most of the growing season, with good production observed in only lowland and moist areas. This situation may influence where deer can be found. Late summer rains have not been sufficient to mitigate the drought impacts.

Hunters on Drummond Island in Chippewa County (DMU 117), are reminded that they are permitted to take an antlered deer only if it has at least one antler with two or more antler points, each one more than one inch long (no spikes).

WESTERN UPPER

PENINSULA

Deer numbers across the Western Upper Peninsula Management Unit will be higher compared to last year. The winter of 2006-2007 was one of the mildest on record for the western U.P. since record keeping began in the early 1960s.

The severity of winter weather is a major factor determining the number, physical development, and productivity of deer in the area.

Deer densities are highest in the agricultural areas, compared to forested areas. Normal fawn production in spring 2006 and excellent over-winter survival should combine to produce good numbers of yearling bucks in 2007. Yearling males generally represent the majority of bucks in the buck segment of the herd, and in the buck harvest.

Antler development and body size will be above average in the western U.P. this fall, especially in the two-and-one-half-year-old bucks. As yearlings a year ago, this age group of bucks was impressive in both characteristics. The largest bucks (with heaviest weight and best antlers) typically come from agricultural areas, but some nice bucks are also taken from forested country where access is limited and they have an opportunity to grow older.

Deer Check Stations

The DNR provides about 90 deer check stations around the state to help evaluate and monitor Michigan's deer herd.

"We'd like to once again encourage our hunters to stop in at one of our deer check stations to have their deer checked, and we'll provide them with a deer management cooperator patch as our thank you," said Penney Melchoir, wildlife field operations supervisor. "We have some slight changes to deer check station schedules this year, so please make sure you check the posted schedules or call ahead to ensure that your preferred station will be open when you arrive."

The following stations will be open in the Eastern Upper Peninsula:

• St. Ignace: Southbound lane of I-75 just north of the Mackinac Bridge, Saturday, November 17, and Sunday, November 18, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. No phone.

• Naubinway: EUP DNR Field Office on US-2, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday during season. Closed Thursday, November 22, and Friday, November 23. Phone (906) 477- 6048.

• Newberry Operations Service Center on South M-124 by M-28, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday during season. Closed Thursday, November 22, and Friday, November 23. Phone (906) 293-5131.

• Shingleton (Cusino) Field Office on M-28 West, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday during season. Closed Thursday, November 22, and Friday, November 23. Phone (906) 452- 6236.

• Sault Ste. Marie Field Office at 2001 Ashmun Street, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday during season. Closed Thursday, November 22, and Friday, November 23. Phone (906) 635- 6161.

Harvest Keeps Deer

Herd in Balance

The deer population is problematic to the habitat and the overall ecosystem of the state, the DNR reported. Deer in most parts of Michigan have a higher birth rate than death rate each year. The number of deer in an area impacts the quality and quantity of habitat, deer productivity, and deer/human conflicts.

Harvesting deer through hunting helps keep the deer herd in balance with its needs. A regulated harvest of both sexes is necessary to maintain a healthy and thriving deer population. Antlerless deer license quotas are established for each deer management unit to achieve a desired harvest for that unit. Where an increased deer population is desired, no antlerless deer licenses are offered.

This year's statewide harvest is expected to be approximately an equal number of antlered and antlerless deer. In southern Michigan, the DNR would like to see the antlerless harvest exceed the antlered harvest.

An expected 735,000 individuals will purchase at least one deer license in 2007.

Deer hunters will contribute more than $500 million to the Michigan economy through the purchase of such items as food, lodging, transportation, and equipment, the DNR reported.