http://www.realtree.com/brow-tines-and-backstrap/michigan-considers-closing-2015-deer-season I have my thoughts....what do you guys (and gals) think?
I believe before cancelling a season entirely you drastically limit the harvest totals (do a draw if needed and eliminate any non-resident tags) unless undeniable evidence states a closed season is the only alternative.
They can shut the season down but unless they do something about the wolves the recovery will be minimal.
They just need to regulate what can be harvested, I am willing to bet that the typical state land 5 point is the number 1 deer harvested in the U.P. every year. I personally have never hunted the U.P. for deer but have for bear and the whole 2 weeks I was there I saw one Doe and fawn. It doesn't help that the wolves are looked at like wolverines in MI.
I think they have to do something. I just don't think what imo would be most beneficial will be popular. #1. Decrease bag limits to one deer (buck only). Eliminate antlerless tags for the time being #2. Open opportunities for wolf hunting #3 ...wait for it...Eliminate use of rifles during firearm season.
I find it odd that they would consider shutting down deer hunting without considering eliminating antlerless tags first.
Assuming all hunters are successful that is correct. Statistically speaking if rifles aren't allowed, a lower percentage of hunters will be successful (in theory).....resulting in a lower number of deer taken.
I would be interested to see the difference between the number of deer harvested in the shotgun zone compared to rifle zone in MI.
Hard to believe that the 3000 wolves in MI,WI,and MN can raise so much havoc with the moose and deer population.
You would have to do some math to get an apples to apples comparison. Deer density in the southern counties is way higher than in the up
I would guess there is not as much logging going on in the UP anymore, less turn over of the forest, less prime deer habitat.
I think that's a huge part of it. The carrying capacity of the land has been severely reduced. If habitat were improved the impact from hunting & wolves would not be an issue....but as the article says, much of the land is national forest..so logging isn't likely to happen
They do try to log National forests, but are typically sued by environmental groups to prevent the logging. That and there is not money like there used to be in logging.
Maybe someone should show the environmental groups the condition of the deer herd......I agree the lumber industry isn't what it used to be.....prices on hardwoods are up though...furniture and cabinet sales are booming.
If the logging numbers are down I would hate to see the U.P. a decade ago, it seemed every road had logging trucks on it when I was there last.
Too much hardwoods. I think the DNR definitely needs to do some logging and create open areas for the vegetation to grow, then the deer will be able to browse on that. The DNR has been doing some logging in the U.P. but not a ton. The wolves I think are factor in why the deer numbers are down too.
1 buck tag only. Make a legal deer have at least 2 points on one side. Put the gun season out of peak rut times. Also gonna have to do something about the habitat. No habitat no deer.
