Washington, DC – Joseph Hosmer, President, Safari Club International Foundation (SCI Foundation), announced that The Michigan Natural Resource Commission adopted a resolution on February 11, 2016, commending years of research supported by SCI Foundation showing that white-tailed deer survival in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (UP) region is dependent on suitable wintering habitat. As a result of these findings, the state is now moving to improve the UP’s winter deer habitat to increase deer survival.
In 2014, Michigan created the Upper Peninsula Habitat Work Group (UPHWG), a collection of wildlife experts, natural resource professionals, private landowners and sportsmen to apply SCI Foundation’s research findings to habitat management. Drawing upon nearly a decade of research, the UPHWG is now tasked with updating forest management plans to ensure high quality winter habitat conditions are available to deer.Michigan’s Natural Resource Commission stated, “The group was charged with developing recommendations to address fundamental habitat enhancement opportunities.” The UPHWG has already mapped, and is developing management recommendations for more than 50 deer wintering complexes.
Harsh winters can have serious impacts on deer populations. Heavy snowfall forces deer to migrate to wintering complexes, or yards, under dense canopy of conifer trees. When winter habitat is inadequate, deer are weakened and more susceptible to predation. Michigan’s UP hosts a complex ecosystem composed of multiple predator species including wolf, black bear, coyote, and bobcat.
“The Michigan Predator-Prey Research Project has been one of SCI Foundation’s flagship North American conservation initiatives since 2008,” said Joseph Hosmer, President of SCI Foundation. Wildlife biologists have been capturing and monitoring fawns, does, and predators to study the area’s predator- prey dynamics. Research concluded that quality and availability of wintering habitat was the limiting factor.
“Now in the project’s ninth year, we are able to apply what we’ve learned from research to on the ground management,” says Hosmer. “We are pleased that our research has led to the formation of the Upper Peninsula Habitat Work Group and improving deer habitat in Michigan. This is what SCI Foundation strives to do, and we hope this successful collaboration can be a model for other states.”
“Winter habitat quality is the most important factor influencing deer population trends,” said Gary Willis, a UP DNR service forester. Willis added, “Improving winter habitat is an action in which all landowners can make a contribution.” The UPHGW and Michigan’s DNR are reaching out to private landowners interested in improving deer habitat and introducing a cost-share program for maintaining deer yards.
SCI Foundation’s goal is to direct wildlife research that leads to successful management recommendations. Results from this collaborative project in Michigan are applicable to similar states, and will ensure that proper scientific management is implemented for white-tailed deer and predator populations.
The project is a partnership between SCI Foundation, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Mississippi State University College of Forest Resources, Wildlife Restoration, SCI Michigan Involvement Committee, and local SCI Chapters.
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Safari Club International Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that funds and directs worldwide programs dedicated to wildlife conservation and outdoor education. Any contribution may be tax deductible under Internal Revenue Code section 170(c) as a charitable contribution to the extent permitted by law. Tax deductible amount of gift is reduced by the “Fair market Value” of any goods, services, or advantages that a sponsor receives for the donation.
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