By Glen Wunderlich

Deer hunting season is upon us and it’s time to prepare by thinking ahead. Let’s get to it with this list of 10 suggestions.

Make a list: However you choose to do it, make a list of things that need to be done before you spend time afield. Be prepared to develop the list as thoughts come to mind, by keeping your list handy. By getting stuff out of your head, worry is replaced with action.

Be totally familiar with your gun’s operational features: In a hunting situation, you don’t want to be fumbling around with your safety. Sighting in ahead of time makes sense, because if something goes wrong, you’ll have time to correct it. Understand that this time of year is particularly hectic for gunsmiths and you’ll have little chance for repairs as each day passes.

Have enough ammo: When shopping for ammunition, locate the lot numbers printed somewhere on the boxes and make sure they all match, because different lot numbers could equal different results. The idea is to have enough matching ammo for practice, sighting in and hunting. Also, chamber each round in advance of hunting to ensure compatibility to avoid malfunctions afield.

Sight in properly: Diamond shaped targets are best for scopes with typical crosshair reticles, while black circles work well with iron sights and red dots. For whitetail deer you must be able to put 9 out of 10 shots into an intentionally conservative 6-inch circle from any distance, with any firearm, from any chosen position. If you are honest with yourself and have respect for your quarry, you’ll get close enough to pass this test.

Know your limitations: Making a perfect, ethical shot is always the goal. If you’ve never shot at a moving deer, it’s no time to break the 9 out of 10 rule. Use some type of rest afield whether a tree, shooting sticks, or even sand bags from box blinds.

Keep your distance: If you find another hunter legally hunting near your favorite spot, move on. Stepping on each other benefits nobody.

Be prepared for tracking: In Michigan, it is legal to use dogs to track mortally wounded deer. Be familiar with the laws in advance. If you don’t have access to a tracking dog, there are professionals available to help at www.Michigantracknhounds.com.

Don’t be a showoff: While it’s fun to share photos and to have others view your trophy, not everyone will appreciate your kill. Since hunters make up only about 7 percent of the general population, it’s wise to show discretion.

Tell others of your plans. For those traveling to remote locations, let other people know where you’ll be and when to expect your return. Long-range two-way radios are quite affordable and can save lives when cell phone signals are not available. Pack extra batteries.

Reporting Hunter Harassment: Hunters and anglers in Michigan have the right to enjoy their sport free from deliberate interference. Individuals whose hunting is being obstructed should promptly report the violation to a local conservation officer, by calling the Report All Poaching (RAP) Hotline, 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, at: 800-292-7800.

By practicing some common-sense rules, may we all be better sportsmen and women for having done so. Happy hunting!

With pheasant hunting just under way, the Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters that there are a growing number of opportunities to take part in this treasured Michigan tradition.

Pheasant hunting season runs Oct. 10-31 in the Upper Peninsula in Menominee County and portions of Iron, Marquette, Dickinson and Delta counties; Oct. 20-Nov. 14 in the Lower Peninsula; and Dec. 1-Jan. 1 in selected areas of Zone 3 in the southern Lower Peninsula. The bag limit is two male pheasants daily, with four in possession. A base license is required to hunt pheasants.

“A few years ago Outdoor Life magazine rated Michigan’s Thumb among the top 10 places in the country to go pheasant hunting, which points to the fact that pheasant hunting is still alive and well in our state,” said Al Stewart, DNR upland game bird specialist. “The DNR and our partners are making progress toward creating more quality pheasant hunting opportunities with the Michigan Pheasant Restoration Initiative, a collaborative effort to revitalize Michigan pheasants.”  Read more

Michigan’s early elk season is now over, leaving many happy hunters with full freezers and memories for a lifetime.

“It was perfect! The hunt was above and beyond my expectations, very thorough and very professional,” said Dale Grelewicz of Twin Lakes. Grelewicz harvested his once-in-a-lifetime bull elk, with his wife Jeanne at his side, on Aug. 26.

The early elk season was made up of three, four-day hunts starting Aug. 25. Fifty state hunters had 12 days to harvest their elk, and 43 of them were successful in doing so. The early elk season is unique because it takes place during the rut, when calling can be effective, increasing the potential for some exciting interactions. Read more

With archery deer season just under way, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources would like to share the annual deer season forecast and remind hunters of important changes to the deer regulations for the 2015 deer seasons.

DNR deer program biologists predict that, overall, hunters this season will see similar or slightly increased success rates to last year. The forecast is designed to give hunters a better idea of what to expect in the woods this season and includes regional information breakdowns for the Upper Peninsula, the northern Lower Peninsula and the southern Lower Peninsula. Also included in the forecast are overviews of important changes for this license year, considerations for this season, and updates on wildlife health and diseases.

The annual deer season forecast can be found online at:www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/Deer_Hunting_Prospects_470587_7.pdf. Read more

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources said a 45-year-old Ohio man died after falling from his tree stand this morning in Huron County. The name of the man is being withheld, pending notification of family members. Read more

Archery season opens October 1 in Michigan, and the DNR wants you to be ready to hit the field. In this informational video, DNR Deer Biologist, Chad Stewart explains what Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is, and how it affects hunters in the CWD zone. Additional information about CWD, including answers to Frequently Asked Questions, is available at mi.gov/cwd.