DNR seeks input on updated Michigan Deer Management Plan

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources invites those interested in the management of Michigan’s white-tailed deer population to review and provide input on its draft updated Deer Management Plan.

The plan was created in 2010 through a process that involved substantial stakeholder input and incorporated the best scientific information possible.  A similar process was undertaken in 2015 to update the plan, ensuring that it remains current and reflects the current status of the deer program in Michigan.

“The updated plan will continue to provide strategic guidance to DNR staff for the management of white-tailed deer in Michigan,” said Chad Stewart, DNR deer, elk and moose program specialist.  

The plan supports the mission of the deer program by maintaining a healthy white-tailed deer population, using sound scientific management, maximizing recreational opportunities while minimizing negative effects on ecosystems and other wildlife species and without creating undue hardship to private interests.

The draft plan focuses on goals and objectives that are desirable, with defined actions outlined to achieve these goals and objectives. With this structure, the DNR has the ability to adopt an adaptive approach to deer management, accounting for differences between regions and incorporating changes in management techniques or technology to achieve a desired result.

“We’d like to thank all of the individuals, stakeholders and partners who have assisted in this process over the last year and a half,” Stewart said.

The draft updated plan is available on the DNR’s website at www.michigan.gov/deer. The plan will be available for review through July 8. Comments may be submitted to dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov or sent to DNR Wildlife Division, 525 West Allegan St., Lansing, MI 48909.

Related articles

• Michigan confirms additional CWD-positive free-ranging, white-tailed deer, bringing the total to seven
• Keep Michigan's wildlife wild
• Bear spotted near Cascade Township businesses

Hunting Access Program and Mi-HUNT application are invaluable tools for hunters

As hunters prepare for their upcoming deer-hunting trips, the Department of Natural

Resources reminds them to consider two helpful tools for finding hunting land in Michigan – the Hunting Access Program, which provides private-land hunting opportunities in southern Michigan; and the Mi-HUNT Web application, which creates custom maps for Michigan’s public hunting lands.

Michigan's Hunting Access Program was created in 1977 to increase public hunting opportunities in southern Michigan, where 97 percent of the land base is privately owned. In this program, private landowners receive financial incentives for allowing hunters access to their lands. HAP is one of the oldest dedicated private-lands public access programs in the nation, providing access to quality hunting lands close to urban properties.

According to DNR wildlife biologist Mike Parker, “Providing access to hunting lands that are close to home is critical for supporting Michigan’s strong hunting heritage. Our commitment to providing access has more than tripled the number of farms enrolled in HAP the past three years. We now have over 140 farms and nearly 16,000 acres available for public hunting.”

Using funds from the recent license restructuring and a new federal grant, the DNR plans to continue expanding the program over the next three years.

Visit www.michigan.gov/hap to learn more and to see a current list of private lands available for hunting in Michigan. The HAP webpage includes details about enrolled properties, including types of hunting allowed and aerial photos of the properties.

  

To find public hunting land in Michigan, the DNR also encourages hunters to try Mi-HUNT, a cutting-edge, Web-based application that helps hunters to plan their next hunting trip. Mi-HUNT allows users to navigate through a variety of map layers to create their own custom maps or download premade maps to meet their specific hunt-planning needs.

  

The interactive layers of Mi-HUNT allow hunters to view select private land open to the public for hunting; all state game and wildlife areas; 7 million acres of vegetation cover types; aerial imagery in a variety of formats covering the entire state; recreational facilities such as forest campgrounds, trails and boat ramps; and street maps and directions to hunting areas.

To experience Mi-HUNT, visit www.michigan.gov/mihunt.

Related articles

• State offers help in finding deer hunting spots (themorningsun.com)
• Program gives hunters opportunity to hunt on private land during deer hunting season (upnorthlive.com)
• Down firearm deer hunting season expected for Southwest Michigan as herd recovers from EHD (mlive.com)