By Glen Wunderlich

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula can sure provide a level of solitude many deer hunters seek.  It was always known for its big bucks and, although the herd contained fewer deer per square mile than land downstate, deer hunters were drawn to the North country, nonetheless.  I became one of them.

Over 30 years have passed since my first deer hunt in Iron County and much has changed.  Deer numbers are down substantially, as well as the number of hunters pursuing them.  In fact, conditions had worsened to the point that some officials were talking about closing the season completely in the recent past. 

The multi-faceted decline can be attributed to many factors, but the dominant determination as to the herd’s size and health is driven by the winter weather.  When harsh conditions extend well into the spring of a given year, whitetail die-offs can be staggering.  And, when such weather persists for a number of seasons, the results can be even more devastating to the general deer population.  That’s what has happened, but there’s reason for hope.

The past two winters in the U.P. have been relatively mild, and according to wildlife biologist, Brian Roell, of Marquette, hunters – and, especially locals – are very pleased with the state of the herd this year and with the prospects for the future.  The reason is simple:  They’re seeing and taking more deer this year.

Biologist Roell credits Mother Nature first of all, but adds that a rule prohibiting taking of antlerless deer during archery season has helped the herd, as well.  If you are wondering just how much difference a few good years have made, consider that the Marquette deer check station reports a whopping 70-percent increase of deer checked compared to last year!  If we are to look at buck-only figures, they’re up 67 percent and compared to the 10-year average it’s up 13 percent.  And, although final tallies are yet to come, Roell indicates the deer kill in the entire U.P. may be as much as 30 percent higher, but again, this is only a preliminary estimate.

I had to ask Mr. Roell about the effect of depredation by wolves on the herd, since the ban on hunting the predators was put into place a few years ago and remains a battle for the courts.  He indicated that an outbreak of distemper has hit the canine community, but at the same time it has not been population limiting relative to wolves.  Wolf counts have been stable over the past four years and the DNR will update population counts this winter.

In any event, Mother Nature holds the cards for the promise of the future of the U.P. deer herd and the continuance of good news for our Yooper friends.

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GW:  This may seem like no big deal; however, after hosting a senior citizens group on a bus tour of the island years ago, it was a total disgrace.  Graffiti all over the place so badly vandalized, it was just a shadow of its former attractiveness.  Now, since the Michigan DNR has taken the island over and renovated it, new rules apply for entry, and the once adored island has returned to respectability.  Hats off to the DNR staff that has made it happen.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources invites wildlife watchers to join a guided caravan birding tour of Belle Isle Park Thursday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m. to approximately 2 p.m.

The Detroit River, in which Belle Isle is situated, is part of a major waterfowl stopover and winter location for tens of thousands of birds, including up to 10 percent of the world’s canvasbacks each fall, as well as thousands of tundra swans, redheads and other ducks.

The tour will circumnavigate the island in a caravan, with stops at key viewing points. Many species of waterfowl, bald eagles and a very rare king eider have been seen in recent weeks, and an attempt will be made to view whichever species are present that day.

Michigan bird conservation coordinator Caleb Putnam (Audubon Great Lakes and Michigan DNR) and Michigan DNR staff members will be on hand to answer questions about wildlife management and recreation opportunities. Read more