Deer Harvest Down; Meeting Monday in Midland to Eye Deer Population
About 243,000 Deer Harvested by Firearms This Year, DNR Estimates
December 18, 2005
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By: Dave Rogers
An estimated 700,000 hunters took to the field in the Michigan 2005 firearms hunt, the DNR said
This year's firearm deer harvest estimated at 243,000 appears to be down nearly nine percent from last year's 265,000 and more than 30 percent less than the record of 351,000 set in 1998.
Reasons for the lower firearm harvest are attributed tobad weather during the season and a reduction in the number of licenses issued. An estimated 700,000 hunters took to the field in the Nov. 15-30 firearms hunt, the DNR said.
The total harvest from all seasons is expected to be more than 400,000 deer, according to the DNR. The breakdown is as follows: firearms, 60 percent; archery season, 25 percent; muzzleloading, 10 percent; and special antlerless season, 5 percent.
The archery season continues through Jan. 1. Muzzleloading season ends today in the lower peninsula. A late firearm antlerless season starts Monday and runs through Jan. 1 on private land in 24 deer management units in the lower peninsula. (Check the DNR hunting and trapping guide for open units.)
Hunters and the public are invited to attend a series of meetings sponsored by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to discuss deer population goals.
The first such meeting in the tri-county area will be 6-9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19 at theMidland Center for the Arts, 1801 W. St. Andrews.
Other area meetings will be 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21 at the Cass City Middle School cafeteria, 4805 Ale St.; and at the Gladwin High School cafeteria. Information is available by calling theBay City DNR Operations Service Center, 684-9141.
These meetings cover residents of Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Huron, Isabella, Midland, Saginaw, Sanilac and Tuscola counties.
Meanwhile, the DNR has announced preliminary estimatesof the 2005 firearm deer harvest indicating approximately 243,000 deer were taken. The survey shows that about 56 percent were antlered and 44 percent anterless.
Final deer harvest figures, to be available in July, are based on a mail survey of more than 50,000 deer hunters.
The DNR has taken action to reduced the statewide deer population from an estimated 2.1 million deer in 1995. Regulations for obtaining an antlerless license have been modified and special "antlerless-only" seasons have been established.
Deer population goals aim at managing sustainability over the long term, yielding healthy fawns, does and bucks without over-stressing habitat or other wildlife or causing hardship to agricultural or recreational interests.###
Dave Rogers
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Dave Rogers is a former editorial writer for the Bay City Times and a widely read, respected journalist/writer in and around Bay City. (Contact Dave Via Email at carraroe@aol.com)
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