By Louie Stout

Whitetail Deer

The 2021 archery season that open today in both Indiana and Michigan is lining up to be pretty darn good.

Wildlife biologists from both states say there are a lot of healthy deer out there and that conditions are setting up to make it a fun fall hunt.

Indiana deer biologist Joe Caudell said he expects a season similar to last year, which by the way, saw the harvest up over the previous year.

“The harvest numbers also were up during the youth season this year which could be an indication that this year’s harvest could be a little better than last year,” he said.

In Michigan, southwest Michigan biologist Ken Kesson said the deer population is good and mast production has been excellent.

“I’ve also noticed farmers are starting to pull their crops, which is ahead of schedule,” Kesson said. “If that continues, it should change things and put deer in later season movement patterns.”

He went on to say he’s seen a fair amount of rubbing activity and that all the bucks he’s seen have solid antlers and have shed their velvet.

Deer in both states have avoided EHD outbreaks although there have been some deaths reported in small isolated areas. But nothing like what devastated the herd a few years ago.

You can follow Indiana’s harvest easily as the state has revved up its deer statistical data in recent years. You can go online and see how the harvest is progressing statewide and county-by-county. You can find that at www.in.gov/dnr/fish-and-wildlife/wildlife-resources/animals/white-tailed-deer/deer-harvest-data/.

In addition, archery hunters are urged to participate in the state’s Archer’s Index, where hunters report their observations and help biologists assess fawn-to-doe and buck-to-doe ratios. You can find the reporting form at www.on.in.gov/archersindex.

“Last year (2020) our fawn/doe ratio was way up from the previous year,” said Caudell. “That bodes well for the future.”