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By Glen Wunderlich

The ever-evolving status of Michigan’s deer herd is showing some very positive results, based on information provided by our DNR. At the same time, concern over the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has materialized into a greater threat to our cherished hunting tradition. While conscientious hunters are the first line of defense against this dreaded disease, ignorant hunters can also be the worst enemy of sportsmen and women, if they fail to heed the warnings and laws meant to combat this curse.

Overall, biologists have indicated approximately a 17 percent increase in deer kill in the Lower Peninsula, so far this year compared to last year. Although exceptionally mild weather has meant that deer are not as active in search of food as they would be in severe weather conditions, it also has encouraged hunters to spend more time afield. As much as we enjoy seeing more deer, the fact of the matter is that we have less and less habitat, as humans continue to build houses, shopping malls, and generally inhabit more available land; simply stated, something has to give.

No doubt the lowered cost of antlerless deer licenses in the CWD management zone has prompted hunters to take more antlerless deer. “Deer hunters in DMU 333 have been a great help by bringing in their deer to be tested. We couldn’t be more thankful or impressed with their dedication to the resource,” said Chad Stewart, DNR deer specialist.

During the firearm deer season, a hunter from Dewitt Township (Clinton County) in the Core CWD Area brought a 1 1/2-year-old buck into the DNR’s Rose Lake deer check station. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, confirmed the deer as CWD positive making it the fourth deer found with the disease.

“We continue to need their help and are also asking Eaton County hunters to join our efforts. In addition, we have begun conversations with DeWitt Township, and they, too, are becoming great partners in this fight against CWD.”

Because the deer was harvested within 10 miles of the Eaton County border, the DNR strongly encourages all hunters within Eaton County to voluntarily stop baiting and feeding, continue hunting and, most importantly, bring harvested deer into a DNR check station.

There will be no mandatory regulation changes from now through the end of the deer season, as the DNR conducts CWD surveillance and decides what additional steps might be needed for the 2016 season.

As part of the surveillance effort, Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers in southwest Michigan recently conducted enforcement operations targeting illegal importation of harvested deer into Michigan from states with chronic wasting disease (CWD) in their free-ranging deer herds.

Conservation officers conducted operations near the I-94 corridor of the Michigan/Indiana border, resulting in the seizure of six harvested deer. Five deer were transported into Michigan from Illinois, and one was transported from Wisconsin. Michigan law prohibits importing deer from CWD-positive states and provinces.

Five Michigan residents have been charged with the illegal transportation of deer into the state. They will be arraigned in the 5th District Court in Berrien County. Violation of Michigan’s wildlife importation laws may result in fines of up to $500 and up to 90 days in jail.

As predicted, in the Upper Peninsula, the deer kill is down some 19 percent as a result of mortality from severe winter weather over recent years. DNR Wildlife Division Chief Russ Mason has announced that a Wisconsin captive cervid facility within 25 miles of the Upper Peninsula border has tested positive for CWD and emphasizes that it is critical that hunters comply with the ban on importing any live or dead deer from CWD states like Wisconsin.

If ever we are going to contain this disease, we’ve got to listen to the experts. We simply cannot afford to look the other way.

Each year, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources generates preliminary estimates of the firearm deer harvest shortly after the season closes. The 2015 firearm deer season wrapped up Nov. 30, with indications of mixed results throughout the state.

The harvest appears to have decreased in the Upper Peninsula and increased in the Lower Peninsula.

“We anticipated a poor harvest in the U.P. due to the drastically low deer population throughout much of the U.P. over the past couple of years,” said Ashley Autenrieth, DNR deer program biologist. “However, we’ve seen uncharacteristically high temperatures and low snowfall levels so far this fall, and if this continues, we hope the herd will begin rebounding.”

Although reports differ widely across and within regions, DNR biologists estimate the harvest, compared to 2014, was up perhaps as much as 17 percent in the Lower Peninsula, and declined approximately 19 percent in the U.P.

“Fortunately, the Lower Peninsula hasn’t had a drastic drop in deer numbers over the last few years,” said Chad Stewart, DNR deer management specialist.

“That, coupled with good wild apple and acorn production over the last two years, has made for good conditions for the deer herds in these areas,” Stewart said.

Warmer than average temperatures made for a more challenging hunt in the beginning of the season since deer don’t tend to be as active in warmer temperatures. Biologists noted, however, that many hunters stayed out longer to enjoy the weather, which may have helped the harvest.

Biologists saw excellent body condition and antler development on many of the bucks that were registered at check stations.

Although the U.P. saw lower harvest numbers, the bucks that were registered tended to be either 3 1/2 or 4 1/2 years old. This reflects the low numbers of younger age classes from winter effects and the continuing impact of predators.

Regardless of preliminary impressions, Stewart stressed the importance of Michigan’s hunter harvest survey, which he called “a vital tool for Michigan’s deer program, and an important way in which data provided by hunters contributes to our information base.”

A rigorous assessment of harvest and participation over all deer seasons will occur using the annual hunter mail survey. The survey is mailed in early January to randomly selected hunters.

Hunters who do not receive a survey in the mail but wish to provide their hunting and harvest information may visit www.michigan.gov/deer and select the “Complete A Harvest Survey Online” link. Hunters should provide information only once they have completed all of their 2015 hunting activities, including seasons that are open as late as Jan. 1, 2016.

For more information about hunting opportunities or deer management in Michigan, visit www.michigan.gov/hunting or www.michigan.gov/deer.