ESCANABA - The 15-day firearm deer season shaped up as expected, according to Department of Natural Resources officials. This year's deer harvest may be down.
DNR Wildlife Biologist Craig Albright, who is stationed in the Escanaba office, said 700 deer had been checked at the DNR check station. An additional 500 deer were checked at the Stephenson check station during the same period of time.
"We are not certain how many deer were checked in at the Rusty Rail in Cornell, but all accounts show a 15-percent decline in the number of deer checked this season compared to the 2007 firearm deer season," said Albright.
Albright also said, over a 10-year average, the long-term percentage of deer checked was down approximately 10 percent.
Another problem faced by DNR personnel checking the overall health and age of the deer was several of the deer were frozen. The teeth of deer are examined to determine age and health.
"We saw a large percentage of deer brought in to the check station with frozen jaws. However, the cold weather was good for hunters because their deer could hang on the buck pole longer," he said.
The weather for the 2008 firearm deer season could not have been more perfect, according to officials. Calm winds and light snow cover in some areas made tracking and seeing deer easier. Temperatures in the mid-20s to 30-degree range provided deer with ample opportunities to forage - bringing them into the hunter's sights.
Albright said DNR officials also noticed a dramatic drop in the number of year-and-a-half-old bucks being taken, with comments from hunters indicating they decided to pass up the younger bucks, providing an opportunity for them to grow more.
"Historically, year-and-a-half-old bucks made up the majority of the buck kill, however, there appears to be a growing philosophy among hunters to pass up these young bucks in favor of more mature ones," said Albright.
He also said this season saw the lowest percentage of young bucks taken ever.
Every deer season, according to Albright, 50 deer heads are collected from each county to check for the presence of chronic wasting disease.
Statewide, 7,500 deer were checked for chronic wasting disease, with the report coming back negative - including the 1,300 deer checked in downstate Kent County, where one captive deer was found to have CWD.
Although the 15-day firearm deer season may have ended, archery season has officially re-opened and will continue through Jan. 1. Friday is also the opening of the 10-day black powder (muzzleloading) season.
"Hunters shooting black powder should have some major opportunities to bag their buck" said Albright. With the snow cover, it is possible hunters will see more deer as they begin their migration to winter deer yards."
Most deer migrate between five and 10 miles with the potential of 20 to 30 deer being seen at any one time. According to Albright, it is just a matter of being in the right place at the right time for hunters to take advantage of the migration.