Daily Press file photo Deer are checked at the Department of Natural Resources field office in Escanaba in this file photo

ESCANABA — The firearm deer season began Sunday and indicators are it will be similar to or better than 2019’s.

One indicator leading the DNR to this conclusion is feedback shared by farmers in Delta and Menominee counties.

Overall, the Upper Peninsula deer herd seemed to fare well last yea winter. This coupled with a good spring and excellent summer growing season resulted in more deer sightings than last year, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Field staff are anticipating a slightly better hunting season this year than last.

While soft mast (berries, apples, etc.) appears spotty across the region likely due to late frost conditions this past spring, the hard mast (nuts, acorns, etc.), particularly acorns, appears to be excellent in those areas with oak trees. Hunters should be on the lookout for oak trees producing acorns and invest time determining if deer have trails near these areas.

According to DNR Wildlife Biologist Karen Sexton farmers were reporting average to above-average numbers of deer seen in the field. Similar reports have been shared by loggers and other people in the forest products industry.

Farmer deer permit numbers have also been up in 2020.

Normally, the DNR conducts a spring adult deer-to-fawn survey each year. This survey helps the department develop its understanding of over-winter survival rates for deer. Due to the stay-at-home orders that were in place during that time, the DNR was not able to conduct that survey,” Sexton said.

Additionally, hunters seeking older bucks may be in luck.

“Hunters doing some early scouting with trail cameras have shared comments about varied antler sizes, potentially indicating a diverse age class in Delta and Menominee counties for 2020,” Sexton said.

Hunters are advised to expect some changes to the deer check process.

The DNR has reduced days and hours of operation at deer check stations.

This decision was made in the interest of lowering risks to hunters and DNR staff members during the COVID-19 pandemic. People should expect slower operations and longer wait times at deer check stations.

“DNR staff will be wearing masks and abiding by social distancing guidelines, and we are hopeful that hunters will practice the same,” Sexton said.

Sexton said there are also changes to the DNR’s efforts to test for chronic wasting disease (CWD) in the U.P.

“We will only be collecting samples from the U.P. core surveillance area for the 2020 season,” she said.

This is due to a number of reasons, including a desire to refine the DNR’s CWD sampling efforts and limitations on discretionary spending and hiring under current restrictions and executive orders in place in the state.

Other options will be available for hunters outside the core area who want to have their deer tested.

Hunters are reminded they can also donate their venison to the Venison Project.

With the Venison Project, hunters who do not want the meat they harvested can donate their deer to feed hungry people. If you wish to donate a deer, you can field dress it and take it to Steve Soderman’s Meat Processing on Days River Road in Brampton or to Viau’s Market in Escanaba. If the deer is skinned, you can take it to Garden Mini Mart. All three places — Steve Soderman’s, Viau’s, and Garden Mini Mart — will process the meat for free, so there is no cost to the hunter. Just be sure to tell them it is for the Memorial Church Venison Project. The meat is given to food pantries in Escanaba and Gladstone. Questions may be directed to Memorial United Methodist Church at 428-9311.