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Root of poor deer hunting season could be weather

With just a few days left to the 2015 firearm deer hunting season, we are seeing the predictions from the last couple of years coming true. Both current and retired biologists have stated that we are on the ebb of the lowest deer population they’ve seen across most of the Upper Peninsula and some wonder if it will ever recover.

Having the opportunity to interview hunters throughout the first week of season, I listen to the stories, successes and the impressions of those less fortunate. Even those taking a buck report the obvious changes since last season, concerned that the numbers will continue to plummet.

While there are no definitive explanations, the pattern this season seems to play out with weather being a partial factor on initial registration. It was warmer and deer harvested were heading in for processing.

The Rusty Rail Check Station, one of three non-MDNR based deer check points in the Upper Peninsula, showed an actual climb in the first two days of deer registration compared to 2014. When weather turned colder, the deer coming in dropped significantly. As has been the case in other locations, age class has shifted to older deer, far less 1.5 year old bucks, more 2.5 to 4.5 year old and angling down to the later. Many of the successful hunters have found their bucks either chasing a doe and/or the only buck they’ve seen. It could also be more of an educated hunter exercising the “let-em go and let-em grow” philosophy supported by UP Whitetails Association.

Retired research biologist John Ozoga studied fawn mortality for years. According to his findings, about 10% of fawn deer die each year due to birth defects, accidents or abandonment. Abandonment occurs when there is a failure to thrive by the fawn which most often is caused by low birth-weight, a reflection on poor winter nutrition of the doe.

Severe winters can impact upwards to 70% of fawn mortality. In the areas of the UP hit hardest by recent heavy winters that number has been a constant. Add to that the high average impact of predation and 25% of the fawns are potentially lost in a given year. That means an overall negative balance which will carry forward for the next two years provided those respective winters are mild. Additionally, the remaining better than average deer populations are part of the food chain and their concentrations are followed by predators, also concentrating them and increasing the long term impacts.

It paints an outline to the big picture we see today.

There is also lot of positive work being done to support natural sustainability with habitat improvements. Summer range food plots and managed cover have been high on the list of priorities. UP Whitetails Association is also taking steps to address nutritional needs, those immediately following winter break-up, in the creation of strategically placed food source (plot) programs that will be accessed during and along the spring migration trails. However these are long term projects and do not address immediate needs. Many conservationists understand this.

What is disheartening is that there will still be a lot of disgruntled hunters who will speculate and quickly affix blame on probable causes for their dismal season.

My immediate response to them is perhaps they should remain attuned to the issues more than two weeks a year.

We’ll hear: The MDNR should do something about the wolves!

Why is it we aren’t empathetic to the fact that now for seven times, the opportunity to manage wolf predators has been in the federal courts by tax exempt anti-conservation factions and tied the hands of resource managers? Shouldn’t we be going after and make accountable entities like those responsible for the losses of resources, manager’s time and fish and game fund costs?

We’ll hear: There’s no disease in the UP, we shouldn’t have to worry about restrictions because of the Lower Peninsulas (LP) problems!

There are now four confirmed free ranging deer found to have contracted Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a concentrated area of the LP. The highest potential for spread up here will come from Wisconsin. CWD has leap-frogged states in heading our way and mostly believed to be spread from infected deer being transported into places like Michigan. Most recently, a mule deer carcass (foreign to Michigan) was found dumped along a rural road in the LP’s Eaton County.

Why then aren’t we worried it is already here just waiting to be discovered? Wouldn’t you want to know what current accepted measures are in place and comply with them to reduce the chances of spread?

We’re hearing: Feral swine are now a local problem, causing disruption to habitat and predation on fawns and potential spread of disease. The MDNR should allow any means to eliminate them!

Like everyone else, the MDNR and US Department of Agriculture Fish & Wildlife Service has to work within the law and are restricted as to what can be allowed outside of regulations set by statute. It has pretty much been determined that free ranging feral swine were released into the wild. There is not a good determinant to find a genetic point of origin.

Why do resource managers have to spend their time and fish and game fund money, which we pay, to now work on the swine issue while it sits in court, stalling broad interventions?

Until more time to staying attuned to issues like these and focus in getting properly involved in full resolution is seen, like an un-sighted gun, our aim will be off target.

Tim Kobasic is the outdoors editor for KMB Broadcasting and host/producer for Tails & Trails Outdoor Radio, aired on six radio stations over three networks, Charter Communications cable and the Internet on Saturday mornings.

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