FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, 06 DEC 02
CONTACT:        Rodney Clute, 517-373-1263

2002 firearm deer season harvest estimates

The Department of Natural Resources today announced its preliminary
estimates of the 2002 Michigan firearm deer season harvest. The DNR
estimate shows there were approximately 288,000 deer taken, of which
158,000 were antlered and 130,000 were antlerless. This estimate is 15
percent below the previous five-year average, which includes 5 of the
top 7 harvest years on record. The state's 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 deer harvest. 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 below the previously issued 506,000 pre-season estimate
for 2002.
The firearm season harvest is estimated from a survey of southbound
traffic during the 16-day firearm 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 provide additional
information on the ratio of visible/not visible deer on vehicles
coming
through these stations. These data are incorporated into mathematical
models that provide estimates of the firearm harvest for the Upper
Peninsula and the northern Lower Peninsula. The southern Lower
Peninsula
harvest estimate is obtained from wildlife management unit
supervisors,
who rely on an extensive network of employee/hunter/processor contacts
during the firearm season. Final deer harvest figures, which will be
available in July, are based on a mail survey of approximately 50,000
of
this year's deer hunters.
An estimated 725,000 hunters took to the field during the Nov. 15-30
hunt. Total license sales through the firearm season were slightly up
compared to last year's sales (1,761,958 compared to 1,737,772). The
hunting conditions throughout the firearm season were cold but very
good, much better than last year.
There was a slight increase in the Lower Peninsula deer harvest over
2001. The antlerless harvest is estimated at 110,000 animals compared
to
last year's 107,000. The buck harvest is estimated at 125,000 animals
compared to last year's 123,000.
Upper Peninsula hunters took an estimated 33,000 bucks and 20,000
antlerless deer this fall. Last year, hunters took 34,003 bucks and
16,625 antlerless deer. Most Upper Peninsula hunters noticed fewer
deer
this year. Bridge counts of vehicles with deer throughout the firearm
deer season were up 17 percent from last year.
Wildlife Chief Rebecca Humphries reminds hunters, "Deer season is far
from over, and hunters have additional opportunities for successful
hunting this winter. Since firearm hunters took fewer deer than
expected, December hunters should find higher deer numbers." About 20
percent of the total 2002 deer harvest is expected to be taken during
the remaining deer seasons, especially antlerless deer on private land
in agricultural areas. Archery deer hunting season continues through
Jan. 1. There also is a Late Firearm Antlerless Deer Season (Dec. 23
through Jan. 1) on private land for antlerless deer in select deer
management units in the Lower Peninsula. Muzzleloading deer hunting
season runs Dec. 6-15 in the Upper Peninsula and Dec. 13-22 in the
Lower
Peninsula.
For a copy of the 2002 firearm deer harvest traffic survey estimate
please call the contact listed above.