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By Louie Stout

Prospects Good for Deer HuntersProspects Good for Deer HuntersBow hunters who kicked off the 2016 season earlier this month should see more deer this fall than they’ve seen in recent years.

That’s the report from area biologists who say all indications are that the deer herd has rebounded from the EHD (epizootic hemorrhagic disease) that killed a lot of Michiana animals in recent years.

“I think we’re going into the season with solid numbers,” said Ken Kesson, wildlife manager at Crane Pond Game Area in Jones, Mi. “We’re seeing positive response in areas that were previously impacted by EHD.”

Kesson said he’s had one confirmed report of EHD in Berrien County but other areas have been quiet.

That’s good, because the hot summer could have boded well for another outbreak. EHD is carried by tiny midges that breed and hatch along lake and pond shorelines during hot, low water periods. When midges bite the deer, they can be infected and die.

Northern Indiana experienced similar outbreaks. Tri-County Property Manager (near Syracuse, Ind.) Lance Tresenriter says he’s heard of no reports or seen no signs of the sick on his property this year. In fact, he reports a healthier deer herd than he’s seen in recent years.

“I can’t speak for areas outside my property, but based upon what I see here, I think Indiana hunters will be happy with what they see,” Tresenriter added.

Indiana’s bow season runs through Jan. 1 while Michigan archers can hunt until Nov. 14 and again from Dec. 1-Jan. 16. Indiana’s regular firearm season runs Nov. 12-27 while Michigan’s is Nov. 15-30.

The deer situation in Central Michigan isn’t as promising. As many as eight deer have been confirmed to having Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), far more dreadful than EHD.

CWD is passed along among feeding deer and can get into the soil where it will remain for years and infect other deer. Right now, the CWD area is confined to deer management zone 333 and townships around Lansing, but it could spread.

Michigan officials have special regulations in place and are trying to confine the outbreak before it spreads farther.

In Indiana, Tresenriter says deer numbers on his property are growing.

“We’re seeing more deer and starting to get crop damage reports that we haven’t seen in recent years,” he added.

Of course, that shouldn’t mean we will see similar deer numbers that Michiana hunters enjoyed a decade ago. Wildlife managers are trying to avoid those high numbers of crop damage issues and deer/vehicle collisions.

The early bow season can be tough on hunters as the foliage is still on and most crops are still in the ground. However, some seed corn crops have been picked which should open up hunting opportunities around them and push deer into woodlands.

Kesson says that this year’s mast production seems to be moderate as acorn production seems to be lower than recent years.

“Now, if a hunter can find a good white oak, apple or pear tree, he should have a good place to build his strategy,” he added.

There are no changes to Michigan’s deer hunting regulations for southwest Michigan but Indiana has a major one. Rifles that meet specific requirements will be permitted during the firearms season.

Hunters should check the hunting guides for all seasons and regulations in their respective states or view them online before venturing out.