Deer check stations for hunters in the Eastern Upper Peninsula will be reduced from six last year to just three this year, in Newberry, Shingleton, and Sault Ste. Marie, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced. Stations will only be open during the November 15 to November 30 firearms deer season this year, meaning hunters participating in archery, youth, or muzzleloader seasons will have to take their deer to DNR operation service centers during selected hours.

Deer will be checked at the Newberry Operations Service Center, the Cusino Field Office, and the Sault Ste. Marie field office.

In a cost-cutting move announced July 16, the DNR said it planned to close more than half of its 125 check stations and operate the remaining ones only during firearms season. The move is estimated to save the department more than a half million dollars. The list of stations to remain open was released by the DNR last week.

Stations to be eliminated this year are at the Mackinac Bridge in St. Ignace, the Naubinway Field Office, and in Manistique.

Information about the age, size, and health of each animal is gathered at the check stations during the fall deer harvest to help biologists make recommendations for future deer seasons and management of the herd. Participating in check stations is voluntary for hunters everywhere in the state except the Chronic Wasting Disease surveillance zone in Kent County.