Michigan Hunters Harvest Fewer Deer, Report Higher Satisfaction in 2010
Michigan deer hunters harvested 6 percent fewer whitetails in 2010 than in 2009, but they said they found the season more enjoyable than the previous year, according to the Department of Natural Resources annual mail survey.
An estimated 656,500 hunters spent 9.6 million days afield, taking nearly 418,000 deer. Overall, 44 percent of hunters harvested at least one deer.
The survey was sent to more than 50,000 deer-license buyers.
The survey showed a 4 percent decrease from 2009 in the number of individuals buying deer licenses in 2010 and a 4 percent decrease in the number of licenses sold.
Hunters killed 1 percent fewer antlered bucks and 10 percent fewer antlerless deer than in 2009. However, hunters reported increased satisfaction with the season in terms of number of deer seen, deer harvested and overall hunting experience.
