MDNR Report

Michigan Deer

Southern Lower Peninsula 

Deer remain abundant throughout much of the region. The winter of 2022 was relatively mild and didn't negatively impact deer in this region, yet again. In fact, the SLP is a deer herd that rarely experiences any overwinter mortality due to the abundance of summer food and the relatively mild winters. The summer of 2023 started with drought-like conditions throughout much of May and June. The slow growth at the start of the planting season may translate into a later crop harvest, which typically reduces hunter success due to the availability of more standing cover for deer. This is always something worth monitoring as we approach closer to the harvest season. The concern of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD), which is often associated with drought-like conditions, has been a discussion in deer circles for most of the summer. At the time of writing this report, no cases have been identified, though we are entering the peak time when reports are most likely to come in.

One change many in the SLP will notice is the changed regulations in 19 counties where antler point restrictions return on the second tag of the combination license. Data from last year's online harvest showed that the percentage of bucks killed with 4 points per side didn't differ between SLP counties with the 4-point restriction on the second tags (68.1% of bucks harvested had a 4-point-per-side rack) and those counties without the four-point restriction on the second tag (69.4% of bucks harvested had a 4-point-per-side rack). Essentially, we discovered that we had two regulations doing the same thing, so in the interest of simplicity, we placed the four-point restriction back on the second tag in 19 counties (Newaygo, Mecosta, Isabella, Midland, Muskegon, Ottawa, Kent, Montcalm, Gratiot, Ionia, Clinton, Shiawassee, Barry, Eaton, Ingham, Calhoun, Jackson, Hillsdale, and Lenawee). Combination license buyers who hunt throughout the SLP will have their first tag be unrestricted, while their second tag is dedicated towards a buck with 4 points per side. Of course, hunters can still harvest an antlerless deer on either of these tags during the archery, firearms, or muzzleloader season.

Upper Peninsula

The winter of 2022-2023 was once again severe, with several impactful snowfalls occurring late in the season, putting fear into the minds of many across much of the Upper Peninsula. While there was some adult and fawn mortality reported in select areas, major die-offs from the harsh winter were, once again, avoided. Deer numbers remain low in many locations, especially along the Superior shoreline, the western counties, and even some locations in the eastern UP. This will, in turn, temper expectations for the overall harvest in the UP. The southern portions of the UP, including parts of Menominee, Delta, and even Dickinson, seem to have consistent deer numbers, and another good year is anticipated for those areas. However, it is essential to note that there will be places in the UP where deer densities remain low, and hunting efforts in some of these locations will prove extremely challenging. Where oaks are abundant, acorn production looks good for this year, and bowhunters may find added success by emphasizing these areas early in the season.

The big news in the Upper Peninsula this year is that the CWD Surveillance Zone surrounding the lone detection of a deer with CWD has been lifted. After testing nearly 2,100 deer since 2018, no other positive animals were identified. This led our Department to recommend and our Natural Resources Commission to approve the removal of this zone. Of course, hunters who still want to get their deer heads tested can do so. If you're interested, you are encouraged to see what options are available in the area where you are hunting. Hunters in the previously defined CWD Surveillance Zone can resume baiting, which had been prohibited since the establishment of the zone. Also returning will be the "hunters choice" deer regulations, which allow any legal 3-inch buck to be harvested on a deer license, but hunters purchasing a combination license must hunt under an Antler Point Restriction, with a 3-point-per-side buck or greater dedicated towards the regular tag and a 4-point-per-side buck dedicated. The entire area of the CWD Surveillance Zone will have these regulations, consistent with the surrounding units, which should simplify our regulations.

Northern Lower Peninsula

The winter appeared to be mild across much of the NLP, and the deer herd didn't seem to have any negative impacts coming into the spring. This has been a common trend in recent years, with typically little to no winter loss reported across the NLP.

Hard mast seems to be plentiful and widely distributed. It's shaping up to be a good and potentially great year for both red oak and white oak acorns. Preseason scouting can definitely pay off in identifying these areas ahead of time. It's important to note that some areas have been impacted by spongy moth in recent years, and those areas still might be on the lower end of mast production.

Deer numbers can vary depending on where you are in the region, but in many locations, numbers are plentiful, and with time in the field, most hunters should have opportunities to be successful this year. Antler growth seems to be good across the region compared to previous years. So while there are some great bucks to be had, if one doesn't present itself while you are hunting, consider harvesting a doe this year and passing on younger bucks to try and help manage the herd. Your choices will pay off in the future. Don't hesitate to take advantage of the venison donation program through Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger. It's a great program that allows you to donate the meat from your deer at a registered processor so that it will go to those less fortunate.

No regulatory changes for the NLP this year, so what you experienced last year should hold true for this coming year as well. It's worth noting that we will still be requiring online harvest reporting, so make sure to record your deer harvest within 72 hours of tagging your deer to help the Department with its data collection and tracking of the deer harvest. One significant change this year hunters will notice will be the change to the online reporting map. Last year, hunters were asked to identify a location where the deer was harvested. After feedback from this past season, the Department is shifting this map to the township level. The change should give hunters greater confidence in reporting their harvest, knowing that their specific location of the deer will no longer be collected. Record your deer harvest online, or download our mobile app, where you can purchase licenses, track your lottery points, and record your harvest all in one location.

Chronic Wasting Disease is still present in parts of the Lower Peninsula, particularly Montcalm, Kent, Isabella, Gratiot, and Jackson. It has also been identified previously in Ingham, Hillsdale, Clinton, Eaton, and recently in Midland counties. If this is a concern to you and your family and you reside in one of these counties, the Department has made self-service test kits available for testing. These kits can be picked up at locations near you (click on the "Free CWD testing" tab). These kits help teach hunters how to extract retropharyngeal lymph nodes from deer, with all costs for shipping and testing covered by the Department. It's a great new program that we introduced last year and hope to expand in the future.