FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 6 DEC 00
CONTACT: John Urbain, 517-373-1263

2000 FIREARM DEER SEASON HARVEST ESTIMATES

        LANSING--Preliminary harvest estimates for the 2000
Michigan firearm deer season show there were 334,000 deer
taken, of which 194,000 were antlered and 140,000
antlerless. These harvest figures rank this year's firearm
season as the second highest on record. The record harvest
occurred in 1998 when 351,475 deer (187,632 antlered,
163,843 antlerless) were taken.
        The harvest during the firearm deer season generally
comprises about 60 percent of the total annual harvest of
deer. The archery seasons contribute about 25 percent,
muzzleloading about 5 percent and special antlerless seasons
about 10 percent. The total deer harvest from all seasons is
expected to be about 505,000 for 2000. 
        The Michigan Department of Natural Resources uses a
combination of several sampling methods to prepare its
preliminary firearm season harvest estimate. Data for the
estimated harvest for the Upper Peninsula and the northern
Lower Peninsula is obtained from a survey of southbound
traffic during the 16-day firearm deer season. DNR Wildlife
personnel, located at strategic locations on the state's
major highways, record the number of vehicles with harvested
deer seen during each counting period. The DNR-operated
highway deer check stations also provide additional
information on the ratio of visible/not visible deer coming
through these stations. This data is incorporated into
mathematical models and, along with qualitative information
from DNR wildlife biologists, the estimate of the total
harvest for the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula
is made.
        Estimates for the southern Lower Peninsula harvests
are obtained from wildlife management unit supervisors, who
rely on an extensive network of employee/hunter contacts
during the firearm season.
        Final estimated deer harvest figures, which will be
available next July, are based on a mail survey of about
45,000 deer hunters who participated in this year's hunt.
Historically, the preliminary highway count usually is
within five percent of the final harvest survey estimate.
        An estimated 722,000 hunters took to the field during
the November 15-30 hunt. "We anticipated the statewide
harvest to be a little lower this year because the deer
population was smaller but that didn't happen. The excellent
hunting conditions throughout the season increased the
harvest of deer," said Rebecca Humphries, Chief of the
Wildlife Division. "As expected, the statewide harvest of
140,000 antlerless deer was slightly down from last year,
reflecting our focus on achieving a good antlerless harvest
in areas with high deer numbers."
        Humphries said the antlerless harvest to date, along
with the archery and late firearm seasons, will "keep the
DNR on target with our management objectives for a smaller
but healthier deer population." The buck harvest was up
slightly because of the recent mild winters and excellent
hunting conditions.
        There was a small decrease in the northern Lower
Peninsula antlerless harvest (-4%) over 1999 while the buck
harvest was about the same as last year.
        "Last winter's mild weather had a positive effect on
the condition of the deer in the northern deer herd. Antler
development has been very good with only a few small racks
and spikes," said John Urbain, DNR big-game specialist.
"Measurements of many one-and-a-half-year-old bucks showed
both beam diameters and numbers of antler points are up." 
        Urbain said there may have been fewer firearm deer
hunters afield this year in the northern Lower Peninsula
based on early reports of lower deer numbers, but favorable
hunting conditions and deer sign throughout the season kept
hunters afield longer.
        Upper Peninsula hunters took an estimated 58,000 bucks
and 21,000 antlerless deer this fall, a total 44 percent
more deer than the 39,564 bucks and 15,120 antlerless deer
taken during the 1999 firearm deer season.
        "The continued recovery of the deer population in the
U.P. from the impacts of two severe winters was obvious to
hunters this year," said Humphries. "People were seeing
deer, deer sign and enjoying life in camp."
        The condition of deer being checked is excellent again
this year in the Upper Peninsula, with impressive yearling
antler development. Bridge counts of vehicles with deer
throughout the deer season were up more than 47 percent from
last year.
        Deer season is far from over, and hunters have
additional opportunities for deer hunting this winter. 
About 20 percent more deer are expected to be taken during
the remaining deer seasons, especially antlerless deer on
private land. Archery deer hunting season continues through
January 1 statewide. Muzzleloading deer hunting season runs
through December 10 in the Upper Peninsula and December 17
in the Lower Peninsula. There also is a late firearm
antlerless deer season (December 16 through January 1) on
private land for antlerless deer in select deer management
units.
        The department still needs additional deer head
samples for bovine tuberculosis surveillance in some areas
of the state. Hunters taking deer in Emmet, Charlevoix and
Cheboygan counties are urged to contact a local DNR office
for check station locations and hours. For a table of the
2000 Firearm Deer Harvest Traffic Survey Estimate, please
contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-373-1263.