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By Justin Kent
https://www.wilx.com/2024/06/27/michigan-dnr-vote-possible-new-hunting-regulations/
Published: Jun. 27, 2024 at 3:13 PM PDT|Updated: 3 hours ago
LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – A new list of proposed hunting regulations looks to aim at the growing deer population in the southern part of the state.
The newly formed Deer Management Initiative examined all of the deer data and created proposals for new regulations.
Among those listed proposals include the following:
- The ability to use Drones to help aid in deer recovery
- Expanded early and Late antlerless seasons to public land
- Reinstating baiting in counties that have no evidence of Chronic Wasting Disease or Bovine Tuberculosis
- Expanded Hunter Access Program
Chad Stewart, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR)‘s deer, elk, and moose management specialist, said the number of hunters is down, which is one of the main reasons why deer populations are soaring in some areas of the state.
Stewart said, “Last year, we estimated just over 520,000 hunters participated. Looking back, we had well over 900,000 deer hunters just a little over 20 years ago.”
Justin Tomei with the Michigan United Conservation Clubs said fewer hunters are a problem, but he also believes the culture of hunting needs to change.
“Hunters seemingly don’t want to harvest doe at the rate that they need to in certain parts of the state,” said Tomei.
The deer population is a problem for those who are not hunters, as well.
Tomei said, “There are car accidents that are happening at an increased rate in portions of the state. Farmers are not able to keep up with crop damage.”
Stewart said, “Really, deer can impact everyone. The way we historically manage whitetail deer has been through hunting.”
The DNR will vote on the proposed changes to hunting regulations on July 11.
Hunters will want to pay attention to the outcome of that vote because many of the changes will affect this fall hunting season.
Visit the DNR’s website to see the current list of rules and regulations.
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