Information gathered at deer check stations is used in population models that help biologists make recommendations for future deer seasons. Biologists age each animal, measure antler beams, and examine for disease, all important to monitoring the overall health of the deer herd. Hunters do not need to bring the entire animal to a check station. Many hunters bring the head only to be checked, which provides biologists with the information they are seeking.

Checking deer is voluntary except in the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) surveillance zone. The CWD zone includes nine townships in Kent County: Tyrone, Solon, Nelson, Sparta, Algoma, Courtland, Alpine, Plainfield, and Cannon. Hunters are required by law to bring a deer that was harvested in this zone to a check station within 72 hours.

Here is a list of deer check stations in the Eastern Upper Peninsula:

Newberry Operations Service Center

South M-123 by M-28 906-293-5131

8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday

Also open November 16, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Closed November 27 and 28 (Thursday and Friday)

Shingleton (Cusino) Field Office

M-28 West 906-452-6236

8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday

Closed November 27 and 28 (Thursday and Friday)

Naubinway Field Office W 11569 US 2 East 906-477-6048

8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday

Closed November 27 and 28 (Thursday and Friday)

Lake Shore Drive Shell Station

1028 W. Lake Shore Drive (US 2)

No telephone

6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday November 19

Manistique

Sault Ste. Marie Field Office 2001 Ashmun 906-635-6161

8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday

Closed November 27 and 28 (Thursday and Friday)

Mackinac Bridge, St. Ignace

9 a.m. to 6 p.m. November 16, 17, and 18

No telephone Southbound lane just north of bridge