LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – One Michigan lawmaker is urging the Legislature to move forward with measures to expand deer hunting seasons and curb deer overpopulation in the Lower Peninsula.
State Rep. Cam Cavitt (R-Cheboygan) introduced a bill last fall that would extend muzzleloader season from 10 to 14 days. Cavitt said it’s a small start in the right direction. In addition, he said recent reporting revealed that in 2023, deer caused more than 58,000 car wrecks that killed 19 people.
“Hunting is the most effective control we have to limit deer populations,” said Cavitt. “Rule changes won’t matter if we can’t encourage more parents and grandparents to wake their kids up early, hand them an orange hat, and hike out into the woods to see what they can call in.”
One problem dealing with deer overpopulation is the number of hunters in Michigan’s woods. State officials have reported annual decreases in Michigan deer hunters. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reports the number of registered hunters in the state has dropped from more than 800,000 in 2000 to 600,000 in recent years.
During a meeting on Thursday, the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) considered proposals from two Deer Management Initiatives (DPI) that represented both the Lower and Upper Peninsulas.
Some measures to address the overpopulation include only allowing antlerless deer to be harvested during certain hunts, expanded antler point restrictions to protect younger bucks, and measures to encourage hunters to shoot does.
“The best way we can address the overpopulation is by expanding access to all sorts of hunting options,” Cavitt said. “We need to work with the DNR, the NRC, and all our partners to find more ways to get people off the couch and back into tree stands.”
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