ESCANABA - Unseasonably warm temperatures and a lack of snow have led to hunters seeing fewer whitetail deer during the first week of the firearm deer season.
Bill Rollo, a wildlife biologist for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, said the warmer weather, while making it easier for hunters to sit out in their blinds longer, is leading to less deer movement.
"This is a completely different deer season from last year," said Rollo. "Hunters are reporting hearing less shooting than in previous years."
Rollo also said while hunters may be hearing less rifle shots in agricultural and forested areas, deer were still being harvested.
The prediction for this season's deer harvest was expected to be down from previous years due to back to back severe winters which took its toll on the spring fawn population.
Adding to the lack of deer being seen by hunters is a harsh winter in 2008-09 leading to a reduction in the buck harvest.
"Combined with the decline of the fawn population for two years, the unseasonable temperatures is resulting in a lack of deer movement, the deer are coming out at night to feed, so hunters are not seeing as many," said Rollo.
The deer being registered, according to Rollo, are average in antler development and size, with most falling between 1 and 2 years in age.
"I think this season we have only heard a report of three deer in the 4-year range being harvested," said Rollo.
During the 2008 firearm season, hunters were harvesting deer. Two major back-to-back storms, combined with cold temperatures, had an impact on the hunting season.
There are eight days remaining in the 2009 firearm season, which ends Nov. 30, and Rollo said deer were being harvested so hunters still have an opportunity to fill their tags.
Any hunters who are unable to fill their tags during the firearm season will also find an opportunity in December, as the muzzle loading or black powder season begins Dec. 4 and runs through Dec. 13.
The archery deer season will reopen Dec. 1 and continues through Dec. 31.