Hunters are from across the Midwest are preparing for the start of deer season in the Upper Peninsula. White-tail deer like the one shown above are expected to be in larger supply this season, but the Michigan DNR does not feel as though the success rate for hunters will see a significant increase. (Photo courtesy of MetroCreative)

The 2024 Firearm Deer season approaches this Friday as hunters from all over the Midwest eye the Upper Peninsula for a chance at the country’s most coveted game animal, the whitetail deer. Over the years many hunters have shown concern for the deer population with some recent seasons having hunters gathering around the bar in remorse of ending the season with an empty freezer.

However, with one of the most mild winters occurring last year, many have come to hope that the deer population has seen an increase, and in turn an increase in chances for the hunters to come home with hauls of venison. Michigan DNR Deputy Public Information Officer John Pepin said that last winter allowed the deer population to rise to a robust condition with a heavier fawn production. While legally harvestable deer are much larger this upcoming season, the expected increase in successful hunts is not at a significant rate.

“We had the one mild winter, which was good, but that isn’t going to be enough to make the deer rebound that quickly to have huge numbers of deer on the landscape,” Pepin said. “If the weather continues to be mild over the next couple of winters, our historical data shows that the deer numbers tend to arise with that.”

Though the deer population has not exploded, this will not hinder hunters from looking forward to the slight increase in their chances and the better overall condition of deer Pepin pointed out, which includes larger antler growth. The previous mild winter is not the only reason for better condition of deer this year, but also the better health of certain flora. Pepin explained that vegetation like apples and acorns have had a very good season for growth, which has given the deer population more intake for their diet leading up to the hunting season. That vegetation will be accessible to deer on Opening Day since snow is not expected in the forecast, and this might make tracking deer a bit more difficult for the beginning of the regular firearm deer season.

Until Friday arrives Pepin wants to remind hunters that Michigan is currently in its Quiet Period, which means unless a hunter is hunting small game or waterfowl, or fur harvesting, that an individual cannot have a loaded firearm in areas frequented by deer. This period is in place in order to increase the chances of successful hunts by keeping the disturbances in parts of the woods to a minimum. Pepin said that any further clarification on the quiet period or any other sort of hunting regulation can be found by downloading the hunting guide from the Michigan DNR website and that any changes to regulation will be typed in red.

Once the Quiet Period ends, hunters should remember to practice safety and inform as many individuals as possible of where and when they will be hunting so they can reach out to the authorities if a hunter has not returned. Hunters do not need to have their cell phones on during a hunt, but should still take them along in the case of an emergency. Hunter orange is required to wear in Michigan while hunting and hunting on private land without permission of the property owner is illegal.

Pepin also brought up that it is vital for each hunter to know his or her own physical limitations, and to not overly exert oneself and increase the chances of injury.

“It’s this time of year when sometimes folks can have heart attacks out there trying to drag a deer,” he explained. “Especially if it’s warm out so that’s something we just like to remind folks of.”

Successful hunters should pay attention to their deer when processing it and search for any unusual growths. If there is any discovered or anything else unusual about the interior of the kill that is peculiar, he or she should contact local DNR offices and speak to wildlife biologists to determine if the deer is safe for consumption. While there has been no cases of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in the U.P. since 2018 in Dickinson County, it is still recommended for deer hunters to provide samples to locations which are testing deer for CWD. However most deer harvested tend to be in healthy and consumable conditions, and Michiganders will have another hunting season in the U.P. to look forward to.

“It’s a great time to be out in the woods and experiencing Michigan’s hunting heritage,” Pepin said. “Even if you don’t get any deer, it’s still great to be out there and out at the deer camps and out in the blinds. We’re wishing everybody a healthy and successful hunt.”