DNR switching to online deer registration this year

“With the opening of firearms season for deer we will see more than 20,000 licensed hunters from outside of the state come to MI and more than half a million residents traveling to get to deer camp or their ideal spot, providing a boost to local communities along the way”. “I know a lot of guys who are serious bow hunters for trophy deer, but firearm season ends up for them being more about family, fun, friends, and tradition”.

All hunters, archery/crossbow and gun, received a Farmland Zone antlerless deer carcass tag when they purchased their archery and/or gun licenses.

In 2012 an outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease wiped out thousands of animals and had a serious impact on the 2013 firearm hunting season.

The most intense band of deer harvesting occurs in the central part of the state, likely a combination of deer population and easy accessibility to a larger human population.

Middle incisor tooth is the standard for aging deer, says Deer Project Leader Nick Fortin.

Even though we’ve debated and explained e-registration for deer for two years, let’s concede not everyone pays attention to such talk until the day before deer season.

Kelly Donat was one of the successful hunters Sunday during the opener. “Anecdotally, people generally like it. But there are counterpoints to it, as well”. Perhaps the biggest problem is that the direct phone line – (844) 426-3734, (844 GAME REG) and website, gamereg.wi.gov – for e-registrations don’t appear on the license, backtag or deer tags.

“As far as the selling season, it’s been fantastic”, he said. It also coincides with a recent ruling by a federal judge that gives Chippewa American Indians in northern Wisconsin the opportunity to hunt deer at night with rifles and spotlights. That’s because the severe winter two years ago took out so many young deer at the time.

The firearms deer season is No. 15-30. Hunters who kill deer in that area are required to have them tested. These reported totals include the archery season and estimated registrations through the second weekend of the muzzle loader season, which ended Tuesday, November 10.

Wear hunter orange. Go to the 2015 Michigan Hunting and Trapping Guide, www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/hunting_and_trapping_digest_461177_7.pdf, for hunter orange requirements.

Be aware of any antler point restrictions that might be in effect where you are hunting. A list of check stations is available at www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/deercheck_439367_7.html.

Eyes heal amazingly quickly, but I find myself trapped in deer hunting’s version of Catch 22: I’m medically cleared to hunt, to shoot and to field dress a deer, but I’m strictly forbidden to drag one from the kill site to my vehicle.

Because of chronic wasting disease in free-ranging deer in Ingham County, hunters must register deer taken in the following townships in Clinton, Ingham and Shiawasee counties: Alaiedon, Bath, Delhi, DeWitt, Lansing, Meridian, Wheatfield, Williamston and Woodhull.