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MDNR Report
The Michigan DNR is reporting Michigan’s first detected cases of epizootic hemorrhagic disease in 2025.
The DNR Wildlife Health Section, Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study confirmed the EHD virus in free-ranging white-tailed deer from Eaton, Jackson, Van Buren and Washtenaw counties. As samples are submitted from additional counties, any further detections will be posted on the DNR's EHD webpage.
EHD is a viral, sometimes fatal disease that periodically affects white-tailed deer in Michigan. It is transmitted through the bite of an infected midge, or biting fly. Deer cannot transmit the disease directly to one another; the virus must pass through the insect.
There is no evidence that humans, household pets or other Michigan wildlife can contract the EHD virus. Venison harvested in areas affected by EHD is safe for consumption. It’s not recommended to consume any animals that are visibly sick, but healthy deer harvested from areas where EHD has been present are still safe to eat.
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IDNR Report
Earlier this month, Indiana DNR’s deer program coordinator, Joe Caudell, Ph.D., explained the recent changes to Indiana’s deer hunting regulations and how they may impact your hunts this coming deer season. View the recording of the webinar on YouTube here.
For questions about equipment, regulations, or which license you need, contact the Deer Information Line at INDeerInfo@dnr.IN.gov or 812-334-3795.
Changes to Indiana’s hunting deer regulations include:
- The statewide bag limit is 6 antlerless deer and 1 antlered deer, except for in Deer Reduction Zones and during youth seasons.
- There is a newly created County Antlerless Bag Limit instead of season antlerless bag limits and the County Bonus Antlerless Quota.
- Hunters cannot harvest an antlerless deer with a firearm during firearms season on Fish & Wildlife-managed properties nor at Salamonie, Mississinewa, and Patoka lakes.
- Only 1 antlered and 2 antlerless deer can be harvested with the bundle license.
- The use of crossbow equipment is now allowed using the archery license.
- The minimum caliber for a muzzleloader was reduced from 0.44 inches to 0.40 inches.
- Portable tree stands and ground blinds can be placed on DNR properties in Deer Reduction Zones between noon Sept. 1 and Feb. 8.
- Drones and/or devices with infrared sensors can be used to locate harvested deer (but they still cannot be used to hunt deer).
- A new change in state law allows hunters to use rifles with a centerfire cartridge that has a minimum bullet diameter of .219 inches (5.56 mm) or larger on both public and private lands.
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IDNR Report
Do you know a kid who loves deer hunting? Mark your calendars for Indiana’s youth deer weekend, Sept. 27-28. Indiana anticipates a high volume of traffic in the license system on Sept. 10, 17, and 26, so don’t wait until the last minute to access your account in DNR’s new license system, the Activity Hub.
If you previously had a child or other person linked to your account, you will need to re-establish that link in the new system. The process functions differently from the previous license system, so please allow ample time to familiarize yourself with it.
- Link a youth under 13 years of age with an existing account to your own account
- Add and link a youth under 13 years of age who doesn’t have an account
- Link an account for someone 13 years or older to your account so that you can purchase on their behalf
In the previous system, youth accounts were for those younger than 18 years old. In the new system, youth accounts are for those under 13 years old. This change will impact how you manage a child’s account.
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MiDNR Report
Deer hunters have the opportunity to apply for two limited-license hunts now through Aug. 15.
Upper Peninsula antlerless deer hunting access permit
The universal antlerless deer license allows hunters to take an antlerless deer on public or private land in any deer management unit open to antlerless deer hunting. These licenses are available for purchase over the counter without an application.
However, in addition to the universal antlerless deer license, some hunters may need to apply for an antlerless deer hunting access permit to pursue antlerless deer. Below is a breakdown of the licenses you'll need to hunt antlerless deer this year, and directions for how to apply for an antlerless deer access permit by Aug. 15.
Upper Peninsula deer hunters
If you are hunting in the Upper Peninsula with a universal antlerless deer license:
- You can hunt antlerless deer in DMU 352 (includes middle DMUs 027, 036, 152 and 252) ONLY if you obtain an antlerless deer hunting access permit to use with your universal antlerless deer license.
- 500 access permits will be available for DMU 352.
- You must have one antlerless deer hunting access permit for DMU 352 plus one universal antlerless deer license for each deer harvested.
- You can hunt antlerless deer in the southernmost DMUs (022, 055, 121, 122, 155 and 255). You do not need an antlerless deer hunting access permit.
In the following areas, you cannot use a universal antlerless deer license because antlerless harvest is closed in the Upper Peninsula
- DMU 351 (includes middle DMUs 017, 021, 117, 149, 249 and 349).
- Northernmost DMUs (includes DMUs 007, 031, 042, 048, 066, 127 and 131).
In DMU 351 and DMU 352, a single deer license or deer combo license can be used to take an antlerless deer during the early archery season and during the late archery season. An antlerless deer hunting access permit is not required.
See the online deer management units map for a map of DMUs.
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Young Erin Yoder, Bristol, Ind., spent many days hunting in the cold and snow waiting for a chance to get her buck. It finally came together Dec. 30 when she shot this heavy eight pointer. She is the daughter of Nate Yoder.