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(Provided by Michigan DNR)
Bucks will be target of hunters in gun opener. Photo courtesy Michigan DNR.As Michigan's firearm deer season quickly approaches, hunters are busy preparing gear, scouting, choosing hunting sites, and making sure everything is in order for the day that some Michiganders revere as a state holiday.
Amidst the flurry of preparations, hunters will also want to take some time to read up on hunting prospects and become familiar with new deer license options for the 2014 season. Read on for the pre-hunt information all deer hunters need to know this year.
Licensing changes
*Those who have already purchased their 2014 deer license will know that with the recent hunting license restructure a change was made to simplify the deer license system by eliminating the separate archery and firearm season deer licenses and creating a single deer license.
The single deer license allows for the harvest of one deer in the archery or firearm seasons (a legal buck or doe during archery, or a legal buck during firearm or muzzleloader). Hunters may choose between the new single deer license or, as in the past, can purchase a combination deer license, which includes one regular and one restricted deer tag.
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(Provided by Michigan DNR)
Q: How did the hunting license structure change for deer hunters this year?
A: The Department of Natural Resources has adopted a license structure that differs from the past, but is similar to those in a number of other states. Under the new structure, all hunters must purchase a base license ñ what other states commonly call a conservation stamp or sportsmenís license ñ in order to purchase additional licenses. The base license costs $11; revenue generated from the sale of base licenses will be used to fund conservation programs, such as habitat improvement as well as DNR law enforcement activities. With the introduction of the base license, the stand-alone small game license was eliminated; all licensed hunters may hunt small game.
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Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry would like to remind all hunters about its deer donation program and encourages hunters to donate a deer this fall to help out another family.
There are no charges for donating. Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry pays all processing fees for large game or livestock donated to one of our participating, inspected butcher shops. The butcher cuts and packages the meat, contacts a local hunger relief agency and the meat will be picked up to be distributed within the community it was donated and where funding is available.
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(Provided by Michigan DNR)
Michigan DNR Conservation officers urgedeer hunters to engage in an ethical hunt and be aware that Michiganís new hunting licenses approved last March carry certain conditions.
Deer hunters should be aware of the two options they have for licenses:
- Single deer license, valid throughout archery, firearm and muzzleloader seasons. This license has replaced the separate archery and firearm licenses. Hunters who buy a single deer license may not buy a second single deer license or the deer combo license.
- Deer combo license, which includes two kill tags, one regular and one restricted. Hunters who want two deer licenses must buy the deer combo license instead of the single deer license. This is required to implement antler point restrictions, which apply based on whether the hunter has purchased two deer licenses. The deer combo license is valid for use during the archery, firearm and muzzleloader seasons. A hunter can use both kill tags in the firearm seasons, both in the archery season or one in each season.
Michigan's new license structure requires hunters to choose at the time of purchase if they want the opportunity to harvest one or two antlered deer, and purchase either a single deer license (one kill tag) or a deer combo license (two kill tags). Because this is the first year of the new structure, some hunters may have bought a single deer license without realizing they couldn't buy another antlered deer license later.
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Western Lower Peninsula of Michigan - 2014 Deer Season Update (11/3)