By Louie Stout

Biologists Predict Better Season for Gun Hunters in Both States

If archery season is an indicator as to hunting prospects for this week’s firearms season, the 2018 deer season could be a very good one.

Michigan’s firearms season opens Thursday while Indiana’s kicks off Saturday.

The bow harvest has been up in Indiana and Michigan which suggests the deer herd is up. Of course, conditions have been pretty good for a fall hunt and crops have been coming out of the fields, both factors that improve hunters’ chances of getting a deer.

Indiana deer biologist Joe Caudell said official harvest numbers for St. Joseph, Elkhart, Marshall, LaPorte and Kosciusko counties show more deer killed (1,491) by this year’s bow hunters through last week than last year (1,312) or in 2016 (1,204) during the same period.

“I noticed the antlered harvest is up from the last couple years as well,” Caudell said.

In 2016, 390 antlered bucks were taken by archers followed by 450 in 2017. During that same period this year, 503 bucks were killed by hunters.

Caudell attributes the increase to more hunters getting in the field during this archery season.

“And maybe more hunters are looking to get their deer earlier this year,” he added. “Last year, opening weekend weather for gun season was just horrible for deer hunting.”

Michigan wildlife biologist Ken Kesson said southwest Michigan harvest numbers also are up based on voluntary hunter check-ins at Crane Pond in Jones, Mich.

“We’ve checked more deer this year, but that could be hunters are more aware of the deer disease issues and more vigilant about getting their deer tested,” said Kesson. “In addition, the deer population appears to be up a little since we’ve had a couple of years of reproduction and have recovered from the EHD (Epizootic hemorrhagic disease) that hit us a few years back.”

Rut begins: Kesson said conversations with hunters and his own time spent in the field indicates that bucks are in the pre-rut phase.

“They’re getting active and looking for does,” he said. “It should be just right when the season opens.”

Regulations are pretty much the same on both sides of the state line. However, Kesson advises hunters who are going to different parts of Michigan to review kill tag regulations thoroughly, as they do differ in some areas.

Hoosier hunters are required to check in each deer they kill through the online check-in system. In Michigan, it’s voluntary, but given the state’s issues with chronic wasting disease (CWD), the Michigan DNR urges hunters to have their deer physically checked when they can.

Crane Pond Game Area in Jones will check deer daily (except holidays) during gun season from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Although CWD hasn’t been reported in Indiana, the DNR has established special check-in stations in parts of northern Indiana through Dec. 21. Those nearby include Kingsbury Fish and Wildlife Area in LaPorte, Kankakee Fish and Wildlife Area in North Judson, Ind. and Winamac Fish and Wildlife Area near Winamac, Ind. Ken Kemble Processing in Knox, Ind. also is participating. You can find additional check in locations on the DNR website, www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild.