With defined population impacts demonstrated in research projects from the Western U.S. where the disease has been identified for decades, everyone interested in sustainable deer management should be on the same side in preventing the spread of this disease. That year, there were approximately 837,000 deer hunters participating in Michigan’s deer seasons. This is the result of an amendment passed by our Natural Resources Commission. Depending on factors like the time of year, food abundance, proximity to security and the like, deer may choose one food source over the other. Whatever your goal is for deer hunting, whether it’s a trophy rack Though the disease is here to stay, keeping it from spreading into new locations from existing disease locations is likely the new definition of CWD management success.

to trails, topography and more. Finally, muzzleloaders can be used on public lands in Zone 3 in Oceana, Newaygo, Mecosta, Isabella, Midland, Bay, and all remaining southern counties during the late antlerless firearm season to take any deer with a valid tag. You are allowed one antlered deer per deer license you buy. Mi-Hunt is a digital tool that has a ton of information stored in “layers.” Mi-Hunt provides everything from public/private land boundaries, satellite imagery and cover types (upland, lowland, oaks etc.) When combined with an abundant and resilient deer herd that continues to grow, and the added challenge of managing deer diseases, we felt a change that represented this changing dynamic was necessary.

The reasons for hunter decline are likely varied and complex, but there is one certainty—those hunters are not coming back. Season Location Dates Early Antlerless Firearm Statewide Sept. 19 & 20 Over two years with this regulation in place in 19 counties, antlerless harvest during the muzzleloader season increased by about 3,000 deer, far less than one deer per square mile. “The goal is to create rules that are easier to follow and that offer hunters more flexibility in taking deer to help feed their families.”. However, your presence also has an impact. If you have the time to get out ahead of the season, you can both be sure your map interpretations are correct and look to find evidence that areas of interest have visible signs of present or past deer movement. One thing to keep in mind is that time of year can dictate some of that trail use activity. Regardless of what changes have been experienced or what might be on the horizon, the 2020 deer season is shaping up to be another great one here in Michigan. If you see what appears to be a narrow trail in Michigan, and it isn’t a walking trail, it is likely a deer trail. ), particularly acorns, appears to be excellent in those areas with oak trees. Though these trends are beneficial and show that more individuals are participating in these seasons (and being successful) we do not expect negative population level impacts on the deer resource.

Transmissible diseases such as chronic wasting disease (CWD) and bovine tuberculosis (TB) represent immediate threats to Michigan’s deer herd and cattle industry, respectively. A “rub” is simply a tree that has bark rubbed off by antlers of a deer. In 1998, Michigan had a record deer harvest with approximately 598,000 deer taken by hunters. To understand how we arrived at this point, you should understand where we have come from and the challenges on the horizon for deer management in Michigan and other states. Learning to read those features can take time but is worth the effort. The changes in regulations take into consideration these three factors and should translate to rules that are easier to understand, improve flexibility in how your licenses can be used, and provide more value with your licenses than you have experienced before. Understanding deer bedding and feeding will uncover deer travel patterns. Those that have viewed our 2020 Hunting Digest have noticed there are quite a few regulation changes in place this year. Once you have put together more and more pieces of the puzzle, it will be time to find a spot to sit. Habitat edges are areas of habitat that transition from one type to the next. Hunters can anticipate an even better hunting season this year than last year, weather permitting. Deer are adaptable and will bed in a variety of environments if they feel it is secure. Though early efforts to reduce prevalence were successful in the mid-1990’s, prevalence in DMU 452 (the core area) has never dipped below 1% and has been over 2% each of the last 5 years. The 2020 deer season is fast approaching. In that 20 years, Michigan lost nearly 300,000 deer hunters. While soft mast (berries, apples, etc.) A saddle is simply an area between ridges that creates a depression or low point, often between valleys. You may be looking for a place to set up a tree stand for the season or simply just identifying a place to setup the day of your hunt with a ground blind. Some popular terrain features to keep an eye out for are ridges and saddles. It's that time of year again, and if you are like we are, the start of the deer hunting season is a welcome break from the turmoil that has defined 2020, and what is hopefully the near end of a difficult year for most of us. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says the changes will simplify hunting …