Hunting Season 2021

Deer numbers up in UP —DNR

I R O N M O U N T A I N Deer population trends seem t o b e o n t h e u p s w i n g t h i s year for the Upper Peninsu l a , a c c o r d i n g t o t h e M i c h i gan Department of Natural Resources

T h e 2 0 2 0 U . P . w i n t e r was far milder than normal, w h i c h w a s a w e l c o m e respite for the deer popula tion. The fast spring green u p m e a n t t h a t m a n y a d u l t d e e r w e r e a b l e t o r e c o v e r q u i c k l y f r o m t h e t o l l s o f winter With abundant mast nuts, seeds and fruits p r o d u c t i o n i n t h e f a l l o f 2020, deer headed into win ter in overall good shape

L a s t y e a r w a s c h a l l e n g i n g f o r U . P . d e e r h u n t e r s ,

w i t h t h e o v e r a l l h a r v e s t down nearly 6% from 2019 a n d b u c k h a r v e s t d o w n nearly 11% Though harvest numbers are not to the lows experienced in 2014 2016, a f t e r t h e s e v e r e w i n t e r s i n 2013 2015, they are down f r o m h a r v e s t n u m b e r s i n 2017 and 2018.

Mast production this year seems very spotty. Look for a r e a s w i t h o a k s p r o d u c i n g a c o r n s , a s t h e y a r e s u r e t o attract deer.

Buck numbers seem to be improving, but there are still a r e a s w h e r e p e r s i s t e n c e i s going to be necessary to be successful Overall fawn pro duction seems to be good

W i t h t h e n e w c h a n g e s

a l l o w i n g a n t l e r l e s s d e e r t o b e t a k e n i n t h e l o w e r t w o t h i r d s o f t h e p e n i n s u l a , h u n t e r s h a v e a n i n c r e a s e d o p p o r t u n i t y t o f i l l t h e i r freezer for what is hopefully another mild winter ahead, wildlife biologists said.

The DNR is still focusing on chronic wasting disease s u r v e i l l a n c e i n s o u t h e r n Dickinson County after the f i r s t c a s e o f C W D w a s detected in the Upper Penin s u l a i n 2 0 1 8 . F o r h u n t e r s i n t e r e s t e d i n g e t t i n g t h e i r d e e r t e s t e d , c h e c k t h e “ F o r H u n t e r s ” t a b a t Michigan.gov/CWD to view the map of the priority area in the Upper Peninsula (Continued on page 3)

BUCK NUMBERS IN the Upper Peninsula seem to be impr oving, as the 2020 winter was far milder than normal.

Hunting

Wisconsin deer biologist sees higher population, encourages scouting

F L O R E N C E , W i s T h e 2 0 2 1 d e e r s e a s o n i n n o r t h e r n W i s c o n s i n l o o k s promising due to an expect ed increase in population for m o s t a r e a s , s a i d C u r t R o l l man, Wisconsin Department o f N a t u r a l R e s o u r c e s d e e r biologist

... Universal antlerless license introduced

(Continued from 2)

A new universal antlerless l i c e n s e i s a v a i l a b l e f o r t h e first time this year in Michi gan. It will be an option for hunters in the southern part o f t h e U . P . w h e r e d e e r a r e essentially considered non m i g r a t o r y T h o u g h t h e s e areas can certainly still expe rience difficult winters, they also have lower hunter num bers than many locations in the Lower Peninsula.

Menominee County and p a r t s o f D i c k i n s o n C o u n t y c o n t i n u e t o h a v e a b u n d a n t deer numbers, according to t h e D N R . O t h e r l o c a t i o n s o p e n t o t h e a n t l e r l e s s l i c e n s e , s u c h a s D M U ’ s 0 2 2 , 1 2 1 , 1 2 2 , 1 5 5 , a n d 255, have smaller deer den s i t i e s t h a n D M U 0 5 5 b u t a l s o f e w e r d e e r h u n t e r s a s well. About 19,000 hunters h u n t t h o s e f i v e u n i t s c o m b i n e d , a c r o s s o v e r 2 , 0 0 0 s q u a r e m i l e s o f l a n d . T h a t

m e a n s t h a t o n a v e r a g e , those units only experience a b o u t n i n e h u n t e r s p e r square mile throughout the hunting season.

T h r o u g h o u t t h e m i d s n o w f a l l z o n e o f t h e U . P . , antlerless opportunities will exist for all archery hunters a n d s o m e f i r e a r m h u n t e r s , who had the opportunity to a p p l y f o r a M i d w e s t a n d M i d e a s t A c c e s s P e r m i t I f successfully drawn, hunters c a n u s e t h e i r u n i v e r s a l a n t l e r l e s s l i c e n s e i n t h e specified region.

T h i s i s a n e w c o n c e p t meant to maintain the flexi bility of the universal antler less license while still limit ing participation in sensitive areas

The DNR acknowledges that some hunters will view a n y a n t l e r l e s s h a r v e s t i n t h e s e a r e a s a s p o t e n t i a l l y damaging, given their current l e v e l o f c o n c e r n f o r d e e r

populations With quotas set a t 1 , 0 0 0 i n e a c h u n i t , a n d a v e r a g e s u c c e s s r a t e s f o r U P hunters being 36%, the D N R a n t i c i p a t e s n o m o r e t h a n 3 5 0 t o 3 6 0 a n t l e r l e s s deer being taken in each unit.

W i t h n e a r l y 3 , 0 0 0 square miles in the west and 3 , 7 0 0 s q u a r e m i l e s i n t h e east, this roughly translates t o o n e a n t l e r l e s s d e e r f o r every 10 square miles

M i c h i g a n a l s o i s t e s t i n g an online harvest reporting system this year The DNR i s e n c o u r a g i n g s u c c e s s f u l hunters to record the infor mation about the harvest of their deer and provide feed b a c k T h e o n l i n e r e p o r t i n g will expedite the information a v a i l a b l e a n d a l l o w D N R s t a f f t o g i v e n e a r r e a l t i m e reports on how the season is progressing.

For more information, go t o h t t p s : / / w w w m d n r e l i cense.com/harvestreport.

“Every deer management unit in the north will provide s o m e a n t l e r l e s s h a r v e s t opportunity for hunters, but some unit permits sold very q u i c k l y ” R o l l m a n s a i d “Also, the 2021 gun season, while still not as close as it can be, will be another day c l o s e r t o p e a k r u t w h e n bucks are most active ”

The 2019 20 winter was s e v e r e i n a r e a s a n d s t a r t e d d u r i n g t h e g u n s e a s o n f o r most of the north. This meant the 2019 20 winter not only impacted deer, it also affect e d h u n t e r s a n d t h e o v e r a l l 2019 gun season harvest

Comparatively, the 2020 gun season had more favor a b l e w e a t h e r , w h i c h c o n tributed to an increased har vest. A majority of the north ern deer management units e x p e r i e n c e d a n i n c r e a s e i n buck harvest last year.

I t w i l l b e i m p o r t a n t f o r hunters to get out and scout T h e a r e a s o f t h e s e v e r e w i n d s t o r m s o f 2 0 1 9 c a n s t i l l h a v e h a z a r d t r e e s t h a t c a n b e a d a n g e r e v e n y e a r s a f t e r t h e s t o r m , R o l l m a n said

T h e s e a r e a s w i l l a l s o have altered deer movement d u e t o t h e l a r g e a r e a s o f open tree canopy leading to thicker regrowth The thick areas may be difficult to see through but can provide an excellent place to set stands around to catch deer moving t o a n d f r o m t h e t h i c k b e d ding cover.

This same idea applies to any area of new timber har v e s t s f o u n d c o m m o n l y a c r o s s W i s c o n s i n I t i s i m p o r t a n t t o c o n t i n u e t o adapt to deer movements as t h e h a b i t a t c h a n g e s , R o l l man said

Another variable habitat f e a t u r e i s t h e a c o r n c r o p , w h i c h i s a l w a y s i m p o r t a n t t o c o n s i d e r w h e n h u n t i n g t h e f o r e s t e d a r e a s o f t h e north.

L a s t y e a r h a d s p o t t y r e p o r t s o f g o o d a c o r n p r o duction, which is typical of

the three to five year cycle

t h a t m o s t o f t h e r e g i o n e x p e r i e n c e s . T h i s y e a r i s expected to be another spot ty year of production, which a g a i n l e n d s i t s e l f t o t h e importance of scouting.

“ N o t a l l o a k s t a n d s w i l l be equal, as deer will leave low producing areas to find a r e a s t h a t h a v e a b e t t e r acorn crop,” Rollman said.

“ B r i n g s o m e b i n o c u l a r s w h e n s c o u t i n g o a k s t a n d s to get an idea of the acorns t h a t w i l l b e f a l l i n g T h i s can give you a great idea if d e e r w i l l o r w i l l n o t b e u s i n g t h e a r e a c o m e h u n t ing season ”

A l s o , t h e D N R o f f e r s Hunt Wild Wisconsin, a free mobile app with habitat lay e r s t o h e l p h u n t e r s f i n d y o u n g e r f o r e s t s c r e a t e d b y recent timber sales on hunt able public land

A l l d e e r h a r v e s t e d i n Wisconsin during any deer season must be registered by 5 p.m. the day after harvest. For more information, go to t h e e l e c t r o n i c r e g i s t r a t i o n page on the DNR website at https://dnr wisconsin gov/to pic/Hunt/ereg.html.

G E N E R A L LY, A U N I V E R S A L a n t l e r l e s s l i c e n s e i s v a l i d o n p u b l i c a n d p r i v a t e lands during all Michigan deer seasons. It can be used if a deer management unit is open to antlerless hunting.

Full-body harness recommended if hunting from a tree stand

s t a n d . Y o u c a n a l s o u s e a separate haul line for other t h i n g s , l i k e a h e a v y b a c k pack

U s e a l i f e l i n e w h e n c l i m b i n g u p a n d d o w n T h e l i f e l i n e k e e p s y o u c o n n e c t e d f r o m t h e t i m e y o u l e a v e t h e g r o u n d t o when you get back down

a n d H o w e v e r , l e s s t h a n h a l f o f W i s c o n s i n d e e r h u n t e r s u s e a s a f e t y h a r ness every time they climb.

H u n t e r s s h o u l d i n c l u d e h a r n e s s e s i n t h e i r r o u t i n e i f t h e y p l a n t o h u n t a b o v e t h e g r o u n d r e g a r d l e s s o f h u n t i n g w i t h a l a d d e r s t a n d , a t o w e r s t a n d o r a h a n g o n s t a n d P u b l i s h e d r e s e a r c h i n d i c a t e s r i s k y c l i m b i n g b e h a v i o r c a n c a t c h u p w i t h h u n t e r s t h e longer they hunt

H u n t e r s s h o u l d a l w a y s u s e a f u l l b o d y h a r n e s s , a l s o k n o w n a s a f a l l a r r e s t s y s t e m H u n t e r s s h o u l d a l s o f o l l o w t h e b a s i c r u l e s of tree stand safety:

C o n n e c t y o u r h a r ness to your tether line and keep your tether line short.

A l w a y s h a v e t h r e e p o i n t s o f c o n t a c t w h i l e c l i m b i n g i n t o a n d o u t o f t h e t r e e s t a n d : T w o h a n d s a n d o n e f o o t o r t w o f e e t and one hand at all times

A l w a y s u s e a h a u l l i n e t o r a i s e a n d l o w e r y o u r u n l o a d e d f i r e a r m o r b o w i n t o a n d o u t o f t h e

B e s u r e t o l e t s o m e o n e k n o w w h e r e y o u ’ l l b e h u n t i n g a n d w h e n y o u expect to return

C a r r y a c e l l p h o n e t o c a l l f o r h e l p i f y o u a r e injured after a fall.

Hunters should use situ a t i o n a l a w a r e n e s s i n a d d i t i o n t o f o l l o w i n g t h e b a s i c r u l e s o f t r e e s t a n d s a f e t y . Always select a tree that is s u b s t a n t i a l e n o u g h t o s u p port your weight

C h e c k y o u r e q u i p m e n t b e f o r e u s e , m a k i n g c e r t a i n l i n e s a r e i n t a c t , y o u r h a r n e s s f i t s a n d i s a b s e n t o f s n a g s a n d t e a r s t h a t c o u l d j e o p a r d i z e t h e f u n c t i o n a l i ty. Also, be sure to inspect y o u r s t a n d t o e n s u r e i t d o e s n o t h a v e a n y m i s s i n g components or broken fea tures.

T h e T r e e s t a n d M a n u facturers Association Safe t y C o u r s e , a f r e e i n t e r a c tive course, takes about 15 minutes to complete

H u n t e r s a r e a l s o r e m i n d e d t o r e f r a i n f r o m u s i n g s c r e w i n s t e p s o n tree stands that are located on public land

H U N T E R S S H O U L D A LWAY S u s e a f u l l - b o d y h a r n e s s , a l s o k n o w n a s a f a l l - a r r e s t s y s t e m , w h e n h u n t i n g

fr om a tr ee stand, safety exper ts say.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources photo

Firearm season is a busy period for Michigan COs

A s a m p l i n g o f f i e l d r e p o r t s f r o m M i c h i g a n D e p a r t m e n t o f N a t u r a l Resources conservation offi c e r s d u r i n g t h e 2 0 2 0 f i r e a r m d e e r s e a s o n i n t h e Upper Peninsula:

DISTRICT 1

C o n s e r v a t i o n O f f i c e r E t h e n M a p e s r e s p o n d e d t o a n O R V t r e s p a s s i n g c o m plaint near Bruce Crossing

U p o n i n v e s t i g a t i n g O R V t r a c k s o n t o t h e c o m p l a i n a n t ’ s p r o p e r t y , a g u t pile was found. CO Mapes followed the ORV tracks to t h e n e i g h b o r ’ s p r o p e r t y w h e r e a l a r g e b a i t p i l e w a s f o u n d a s w e l l a s a n u n t a g g e d d e e r T h e o w n e r of the deer admitted that he d i d n o t w a n t t o s p e n d t h e m o n e y o n a n o u t o f s t a t e deer license. Citations were written for over limit of bait a s w e l l a s p o s s e s s i o n o f a n untagged deer

C O S h a n n o n K r i t z received a Report all Poach ing complaint about a prop erty owner who was block ing access to state land with f e n c e p o s t s a n d f a k e D e p a r t m e n t o f N a t u r a l R e s o u r c e s s i g n a g e . T h e roadblock was removed but o n t h e s e c o n d d a y o f g u n s e a s o n , C O K r i t z w a s patrolling the area when two h u n t e r s t o l d h e r t h a t t h e roadway was blocked again T h i s t i m e , t h e s u s p e c t h a d cut down multiple trees and u s e d a t r a c t o r t o b l o c k o f f the roadway. CO Kritz was able to follow the tractor tire p r i n t s b a c k t o a c a m p C O K r i t z i n t e r v i e w e d t h e landowners and one person c o n f e s s e d t o b l o c k i n g o f f t h e a c c e s s r o a d t o t h e s t a t e l a n d , s o t h e i r h u n t w a s n o t i n t e r r u p t e d , s i n c e h i s s o n w a s c o m i n g u p t o h u n t o n o p e n i n g d a y C O K r i t z issued a citation to the indi v i d u a l f o r c u t t i n g t r e e s o n

state land

C O S h a n n o n K r i t z r e s p o n d e d t o a r e p o r t o f a l o s t h u n t e r w i t h t h e Menominee County Sher iff’s Department. The hunter s u f f e r e d f r o m a m e d i c a l condition which caused him to become disoriented in the w o o d s T h e h u n t e r w a s q u i c k l y l o c a t e d a l o n g a r o a d w a y b y t h e f i r s t responding deputy and was t r a n s p o r t e d t o t h e h o s p i t a l for treatment

C O s S h a n n o n K r i t z a n d J e f f D e l l a s s i s t e d t h e Ha nn a h v i l l e P o l i c e D e p a r t m e n t a f t e r a n o f f i c e r w a s p h y s i c a l l y a s s a u l t e d b y a s u s p e c t w h o f l e d b a c k i n t o his house Deputies from the M e n o m i n e e C o u n t y S h e r iff’s Department, along with t h e M i c h i g a n S t a t e P o l i c e , a l s o a r r i v e d o n s c e n e t o a s s i s t O f f i c e r s s e t u p a perimeter around the house a n d t h e s u s p e c t e v e n t u a l l y surrendered without incident and was taken into custody

b y t h e H a n n a h v i l l e P o l i c e Department.

E a r l i e r i n t h e f a l l , C O Jared Ferguson found ORV tracks going around a DNR Grouse Enhanced Manage m e n t S i t e g a t e i n n o r t h e r n D i c k i n s o n C o u n t y C O Ferguson recruited the help o f C p l B r e t t D e L o n g e t o help him with the complaint. While waiting for the ORVs t o c o m e o u t , C O D e L o n g e stopped another ORV in the a r e a f o r n o O R V r e g i s t r a tion. DeLonge, while talking with the operator, was able to find out his hunting part n e r w a s b e h i n d t h e G E M S g a t e w i t h a h a r v e s t e d 8 p o i n t d e e r . C O F e r g u s o n and Cpl DeLonge were able t o l o c a t e t h e h u n t e r , w h o a l s o h a d a n u n r e g i s t e r e d ORV. Citations were issued f o r u n r e g i s t e r e d O R V a n d o p e r a t e O R V i n a c l o s e d area on state land.

C O J a r e d F e r g u s o n w a s p a t r o l l i n g a c o u n t y r o a d i n northern Iron County when

h e o b s e r v e d a s i d e b y s i d e o p e r a t o r c o m i n g a t h i m without his seatbelt on CO Ferguson made a traffic stop o n t h e O R V a n d f o u n d t h e individual in possession of a loaded rifle in the front seat T h e h u n t e r s t a t e d h e w a s h u n t i n g o n h i s w a y b a c k t o c a m p a n d w h e n C O F e r g u s o n a s k e d f o r h i s d e e r l i c e n s e , h e s t a t e d h e l e f t them at home. He was cited f o r a l o a d e d f i r e a r m i n a motor vehicle and no license in possession. While filling out the citation, CO Fergu son observed a set of lights coming at him which turned out to be the man’s hunting p a r t n e r , w h o a l s o h a d a l o a d e d f i r e a r m o n a m o t o r v e h i c l e , n o h e l m e t a n d a n u n r e g i s t e r e d O R V H e w a s cited for loaded firearm and given warnings for the ORV infractions.

COs Josh Boudreaux and J o h n K a m p s w r a p p e d u p a m u l t i w e e k i n v e s t i g a t i o n regarding an individual who had been sabotaging another person’s tree stand on public land, which stemmed from a dispute over a hunting area The suspect was cutting the s t r a p s i n s u c h a w a y t h a t when the individual went to s t e p o n t o t h e h a n g o n s t a n d ’ s p l a t f o r m i t w o u l d give way, potentially caus i n g t h e m t o f a l l 1 5 t o 2 0 feet Fortunately, the victim was able to prevent himself

from falling and quickly left the area where he then con tacted the local COs Cam e r a s w e r e p l a c e d w a t c h i n g t h e s t a n d o n c e i t w a s r e s e t an d p ictu r es w er e cap tu r ed o f t h e s u s p e c t o n c e a g a i n c u t t i n g t h e s t r a p s A f t e r m u l t i p l e s e a r c h w a r r a n t s w e r e e x e c u t e d w i t h a s s i s tance of the DNR’s Special Investigations Unit, an inter v i e w w a s c o n d u c t e d , a n d the COs received a full con f e s s i o n f r o m t h e s u s p e c t C h a r g e s a r e b e i n g s o u g h t t h r o u g h t h e M a r q u e t t e County Prosecutor’s Office for multiple misdemeanors i n c l u d i n g h u n t e r h a r a s s ment, malicious destruction o f p r o p e r t y , a n d f e l o n y counts of assault with intent t o c a u s e g r e a t b o d i l y h a r m less than murder

CO Josh Boudreaux and S g t M a r k L e a d m a n r e s p o n d e d t o a r e p o r t o f a convicted felon hunting with a f i r e a r m i n I s h p e m i n g Township. The subject had j u s t r e c e n t l y b e e n r e l e a s e d f r o m j a i l . T h e C O s l o c a t e d the vehicle and using infor m a t i o n o b t a i n e d f r o m C O J o h n K a m p s , l o c a t e d t h e blind containing the hunter

U p o n c o n t a c t , t h e i n d i v i d u a l , w h o w a s d r e s s e d f r o m h e a d t o t o e i n c a m o u f l a g e , s t e p p e d o u t a n d i n f o r m e d the COs that he wasn’t hunt i n g , h e w a s j u s t o u t w a t c h i n g f o r t h i s , “ m a s s i v e 1 0 p o i n t b u c k ” s o t h a t h i s brother, who wasn’t current l y o u t h u n t i n g , c o u l d s h o o t it. The individual claimed he d i d n ’ t h a v e a n y w e a p o n s with him until CO Boudreaux a s k e d t o c h e c k h i s b l i n d The man finally admitted he had a firearm but thought he w a s O K t o h u n t b e c a u s e a f r i e n d t o l d h i m h e w a s a non violent felon The indi vidual’s firearm was seized, a n d a r e p o r t w a s g e n e r a t e d f o r s u b m i s s i o n t o t h e M a r quette County Prosecutor’s Office

DISTRICT 2

CO Cole VanOosten was o n p a t r o l i n S c h o o l c r a f t County when he observed a t r u c k s l o w l y d r i v i n g t o w a r d s h i m . C o n t a c t w a s made and it was determined t h a t t h e d r i v e r w a s t r a n s porting an uncased shotgun, had already harvested a deer t h e d a y b e f o r e , a n d d i d n o t h a v e a n u n u s e d d e e r t a g . (Continued on page 7)

Deer harvest violations uncovered during traffic stops

(Continued from 6)

When questioned about the shotgun, the hunter stated that it was for partridge hunting.

CO VanOosten informed the individual that grouse season was closed and that the gun must be enclosed in a case to t r a n s p o r t A c i t a t i o n w a s i s s u e d f o r t r a n s p o r t i n g a n uncased gun.

CO Cole VanOosten was o n p a t r o l i n S c h o o l c r a f t C o u n t y w h e n h e e n c o u n tered an individual returning t o h i s h u n t i n g c a m p . U p o n c o n t a c t i t w a s d e t e r m i n e d t h a t t h e d r i v e r h a d a n o p e n beer in the center console as w e l l a s a l o a d e d a n d u n c a s e d 2 2 m a g r i f l e T h e driver was from out of state a n d d i d n o t h a v e a d e e r l i c e n s e . A c i t a t i o n w a s i s s u e d f o r t r a n s p o r t i n g a loaded and uncased firearm in a motor vehicle.

CO Cole VanOosten was patrolling Mackinac County when he observed a traffic v i o l a t i o n i n w h i c h a t r a f f i c stop was conducted It was

determined there were three deer in the back of the truck

T w o o f t h e d e e r w e r e i m p r o p e r l y t a g g e d w i t h a combination license and one of the deer, a 4 point, did not m e e t t h e r e q u i r e m e n t s f o r e i t h e r o f t h e c o m b i n a t i o n tags held by the hunter The deer was seized, and a report was generated for review by the Mackinac County prose cutor

CO Cole VanOosten was patrolling Mackinac Coun ty when he observed a traffic violation A traffic stop was conducted and upon contact i t w a s d e t e r m i n e d t h a t t h e d r i v e r w a s t r a n s p o r t i n g a recently killed deer that was a s p i k e h o r n T h e d r i v e r admitted to killing the deer a n d i t w a s d e t e r m i n e d t h a t t h e d e e r w a s t a g g e d w i t h a c o m b i n a t i o n l i c e n s e m e a n t f o r d e e r w i t h a t l e a s t 3 points on one side The deer was seized and a ticket was issued for possessing a deer without a valid license.

C O s J u s t i n V i n s o n a n d

Cole VanOosten responded t o a c o m p l a i n t o f a n o v e r limit of bait in northern Luce County. Upon contact with a s u b j e c t , i t w a s d e t e r m i n e d that there was a large amount o f b a i t a t t h e s i t e a s w e l l a s a n a r t i f i c i a l l i g h t p l a c e d a b o v e t h e b a i t . T h e C O s observed drag marks exiting t h e w o o d s a s w e l l a s s o m e blood on a nearby all terrain v e h i c l e . A n u n t a g g e d d o e was discovered hanging in a tree and the subject stated the deer had been shot the night b e f o r e w i t h a r i f l e I t w a s determined that the deer had been shot over an hour after s h o o t i n g h o u r s a n d t h e hunter had used the light at the bait pile to aid in shooting the deer with a rifle. Another deer carcass was located in a n e a r b y g a r b a g e p i l e . T h e

individual stated that he had shot the deer during bow sea s o n w i t h a r i f l e a n d h e d i d not have a license to take the deer The subject had not had a hunting license for over six years Interviews were con ducted and it was determined that there had been four deer illegally taken from the site in the last year. Property was seized and a report was sub m i t t e d t o t h e L u c e C o u n t y P r o s e c u t o r s O f f i c e f o r review

CO Andrea Dani was on p a t r o l i n A l g e r C o u n t y when she observed a pickup truck parked at the entrance to a path that CO Dani knew l e d t o a n i l l e g a l p e r m a n e n t b l i n d w i t h n o i d e n t i f y i n g information on Commercial F o r e s t L a n d C O D a n i h a d been to the blind previously,

w h e r e s h e n o t e d d o z e n s o f t r e e s c u t a p p r o x i m a t e l y 1 foot off the ground to create shooting lanes. CO Dani then r e c o g n i z e d t h e p i c k u p a s b e l o n g i n g t o a s u b j e c t s h e m e t e a r l i e r t h a t y e a r w h e n C O M a r k Z i t n i k c i t e d h i m for baiting deer too early at two different locations near b y . C O D a n i c o n t a c t e d t h e hunter in the blind, who was n o t w e a r i n g p r o p e r h u n t e r o r a n g e C O D a n i a s k e d t o c h e c k t h e h u n t e r ’ s l i c e n s e and the hunter stated he had just texted his son to tell him he forgot his wallet at camp.

C O D a n i a s k e d t o s e e t h e text at which point the hunter a d m i t t e d t h a t h e h a d n e v e r t e x t e d h i s s o n C O D a n i i s s u e d t h e h u n t e r a c i t a t i o n f o r h u n t i n g w i t h o u t a d e e r license in his possession and

for a hunter orange violation

C O C h r i s L y n c h f o l lowed up on a complaint of someone blocking access to s t a t e l a n d C O L y n c h c o n t a c t e d t h e r e s p o n s i b l e h u n t e r s a f t e r w a i t i n g f o r them to arrive back at camp

C O L y n c h a d d r e s s e d t h e following violations: block i n g a c c e s s t o s t a t e l a n d , h u n t i n g d e e r w i t h o u t k i l l t a g , a n d a l l o w i n g m i n o r t o hunt unsupervised Conservation officers are fully licensed peace officers who enforce laws related to fish and wildlife, state parks, t r a i l s a n d f o r e s t s , a n d o u t d o o r r e c r e a t i o n a c t i v i t i e s such as off road vehicle use, snowmobiling and boating T h e y a l s o a r e f i r s t r e s p o n d e r s t o a v a r i e t y o f n a t u r a l disasters and emergencies.

UP company manufactures Mighty Deer Lick products

P O W E R S T e d a n d S t e v e J a n k e o f P o w e r s , founders of the Mighty Deer Lick, have paired with Mark a n d C o d y W h i t e n s t o f o r m NutriFeed LLC

The company is devoted t o m a n u f a c t u r i n g p r e m i e r animal feed products with a f o c u s o n t h e M i g h t y D e e r Lick line.

After transitioning away f r o m t h e i r p r e v i o u s m a n u f a c t u r e r , M o r t o n S a l t , M i g h t y D e e r L i c k i s r e a d y t o s u p p l y t h e i r c u s t o m e r s w i t h t h e i r a w a r d w i n n i n g products once again

For more than 40 years, t h e J a n k e s h a v e p r o d u c e d the Mighty Deer Lick sweet corn blocks, which continue to be a successful product in t h e d e e r f e e d i n d u s t r y around the world.

“Mighty Deer Lick strives t o u s e t h e h i g h e s t q u a l i t y ingredients; unique ingredi e n t s t h a t d i f f e r e n t i a t e s Mighty Deer Lick from the c o m p e t i t i o n , ” s a i d C o d y

W h i t e n s , N u t r i F e e d v i c e p r e s i d e n t o f m a r k e t i n g “Made with high food grade quality pure golden jubilee sweet corn, these blocks are m o r e a t t r a c t i v e t h a n e v e r before.”

T h e M i g h t y D e e r L i c k s w e e t c o r n b l o c k s n o t o n l y have a delicious taste, but a n a t u r a l s w e e t c o r n f r a grance, Whitens said

Mighty Deer Lick compa ny has emphasized high qual ity ingredients since its first d e e r l i c k s w e r e c r e a t e d i n 1974. The blocks are formu lated with natural sweet corn, s a l t a n d a 1 t o 1 c a l c i u m phosphorous ratio combined w i t h v i t a m i n s A a n d D t h a t support optimal antler devel opment and herd health. Their a w a r d w i n n i n g r e c i p e h a s b e e n c r a v e d b y d e e r a n d wildlife across the globe

“N utriF eed is excited to focus primarily on manufac turing the Mighty Deer Lick brand of products Our cus tomers are our number one

priority and they have been waiting a long time for these p r o d u c t s . W e a r e w o r k i n g d a y a n d n i g h t t o g e t t h e m b a c k i n t o s t o r e s n o w , ” Whitens said

T h e h i g h l y p a l a t a b l e M i g h t y D e e r L i c k b l o c k s n o t o n l y p r o v i d e h o u r s o f e n t e r t a i n m e n t f o r w i l d l i f e lovers and deer hunters but r e c e n t s t u d i e s s u g g e s t t h e y can even save lives.

During icy winters, defi c i e n t i n s a l t a n d m i n e r a l s , d e e r a n d w i l d l i f e s e e k s a l t o n r o a d w a y s . T h i s c o n tributes to more than a mil l i o n c a r a c c i d e n t s a y e a r n a t i o n w i d e a n d o v e r a b i l l i o n d o l l a r s i n d a m a g e s . F e e d i n g M i g h t y D e e r L i c k y e a r r o u n d p r o v i d e s i d e a l nourishment while encour a g i n g d e e r t o s t a y i n t h e w o o d s a n d o f f r o a d w a y s , Whitens said Mighty Deer Lick prod u c t s a r e n o w a v a i l a b l e a t s t o r e s a c r o s s t h e U p p e r Peninsula and Wisconsin

T H E M I G H T Y D E E R L i c k l i n e o f p r o d u c t s i s f o r m u l a t e d t o s u p p o r t o p t i m a l a n t l e r d e v e l o p m e n t a n d h e r d h e a l t h , a c c o r d i n g t o N u t r i F e e d L L C o f P o w e r s , a company devoted to manufacturing the deer blocks.

Michigan shifts approach to monitor spread of deer disease

L A N S I N G T h e M i c h i g a n D e p a r t m e n t o f N a t u r a l R e s o u r c e s i s b e g i n n i n g a f i v e y e a r p r o c e s s o f s t r a t e g i c , f o c u s e d c h r o n i c w a s t i n g disease surveillance around the state.

I n 2 0 2 1 , s u r v e i l l a n c e will be occurring mainly in t h e s o u t h e r n m o s t t h r e e t i e r s o f c o u n t i e s O v e r t h e n e x t f o u r y e a r s , t h e r e m a i n d e r o f t h e s t a t e w i l l b e s y s t e m a t i c a l l y s a m p l e d t o d e t e r m i n e i f C W D i s present in other parts of the s t a t e w h e r e i t h a s n o t y e t been identified

I n 2 0 2 1 , t h e D N R n e e d s d e e r h e a d s f r o m A l l e g a n , B a r r y , B r a n c h , C a l h o u n , E a t o n , G r a t i o t , s o u t h e r n I s a b e l l a , H i l l s d a l e , J a c k s o n , K a l a m a z o o , L e n a w e e , L i v i n g s t o n , M a c o m b , M o n r o e , O a k l a n d , S t J o s e p h , W a s h t e n a w a n d W a y n e c o u n t i e s , a n d a l s o f r o m t h e c o r e C W D s u r v e i l l a n c e a r e a i n t h e U p p e r P e n i n s u l a ( p o r t i o n s o f D i c k i n s o n , M e n o m i n e e a n d D e l t a c o u n t i e s )

D e e r h e a d s f r o m t h e s e c o u n t i e s c a n b e s u b m i t t e d at any open deer check sta t i o n f r o m O c t o b e r t h r o u g h J an u ar y D eer h ar v es ted in C l i n t o n , D i c k i n s o n , I n g h a m , I o n i a , K e n t a n d

M o n t c a l m c o u n t i e s c a n b e t e s t e d f o r C W D t h r o u g h t h e D N R f r o m N o v 1 5 1 8 only.

P l a c e s t o b r i n g a d e e r h e a d f o r t e s t i n g i n c l u d e D N R d e e r c h e c k s t a t i o n s , or a DNR drop box.

T h i s f a l l , h u n t e r s c o m i n g i n f o r d i s e a s e t e s t i n g a r e a s k e d t o b r i n g o n l y d e e r h e a d s t o c h e c k s t a t i o n s , r e m o v i n g t h e m a h e a d o f t i m e , i f p o s s i b l e . T h o s e w h o w o u l d l i k e t o k e e p t h e a n t l e r s a r e a s k e d t o p l e a s e r e m o v e t h o s e f r o m t h e h e a d b u t b r i n g t h e a n t l e r s s o t h a t a n t l e r m e a s u r e m e n t s c a n b e t a k e n A l s o , i f s u b m i t t i n g a d e e r h e a d f o r t e s t i n g , b e r e a d y t o g i v e D N R s t a f f t h e l o c a t i o n w h e r e y o u r d e e r w a s h a r v e s t e d i n c l u d i n g t h e c o u n t y , t o w n s h i p , r a n g e a n d s e c t i o n

If you harvest your deer o u t s i d e o f t h e s e a r e a s o r t i m e f r a m e b u t w o u l d s t i l l l i k e i t t e s t e d f o r C W D ( f o r a f e e ) , t h e M i c h i g a n D N R has confirmed two USDA approved laboratories will i n g t o a c c e p t d e e r s a m p l e s d i r e c t l y f r o m h u n t e r s T o s u b m i t s a m p l e s t o t h e M i c h i g a n S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y D i a g n o s t i c L a b o r a t o r y o r t h e W i s c o n s i n V e t e r i n a r y Diagnostic Laboratory, fol

low the instructions posted on the DNR web site

H u n t e r s i n D M U 4 8 7 w h o w o u l d l i k e a C W D t e s t c a n c o n t a c t a s t a f f e d D N R c h e c k s t a t i o n . F o r a l i s t o f s t a t i o n s , d a t e s a n d t i m e s g o t o Michigan gov/DeerCheck

Please be aware that test r e s u l t s m a y r e q u i r e a d d i t i o n a l p r o c e s s i n g t i m e t h i s year. Available results will b e p o s t e d a t Michigan.gov/DNRLab. If CWD is found in a submit ted deer, the hunter will be notified by phone. If CWD i s n o t f o u n d , t h e t e s t r e s u l t will be posted online.

There are regulations in p l a c e t h a t l i m i t t h e t r a n s portation of deer carcasses t h r o u g h o u t t h e L o w e r P e n i n s u l a . C a r c a s s e s f r o m a r e a s w i t h C W D s h o u l d n e v e r b e d i s p o s e d o f o n t h e l a n d s c a p e i n C W D areas.

D e e r b a i t i n g a n d f e e d i n g i s p r o h i b i t e d i n t h e c o r e C W D s u r v e i l l a n c e a r e a i n t h e U p p e r P e n i n s u l a . T h e c o r e C W D s u r v e i l l a n c e a r e a i n c l u d e s p o r t i o n s o f M e n o m i n e e , D i c k i n s o n a n d D e l t a c o u n t i e s T h i s z o n e s u r r o u n d s t h e f a r m w h e r e a d e e r t e s t e d p o s i t i v e f o r t h e d e a d l y d i s e a s e i n October 2018

THE UPPER PENINSULA cor e CWD sur veillance ar ea in the Upper Peninsula includes por tions of Menominee, Dickinson and Delta counties.

Deer hunters asked to help slow spread of CWD

asking deer hunters and the p u b l i c t o h e l p s l o w t h e s p r e a d o f c h r o n i c w a s t i n g d i s e a s e b y f o l l o w i n g b a i t i n g a n d f e e d i n g b a n s a n d p r o p e r l y d i s p o s i n g o f d e e r c a r c a s s w a s t e t h i s h u n t i n g season.

Baiting And feeding

Placing bait to hunt deer o r f e e d d e e r f o r v i e w i n g i s b a n n e d b y s t a t e l a w i n m a n y c o u n t i e s d u e t o t h e presence of CWD In coun t i e s w h e r e C W D h a s n o t b e e n f o u n d , h u n t e r s a n d o t h e r w i l d l i f e e n t h u s i a s t s c a n s t i l l c h o o s e n o t t o b a i t a n d h e l p r e d u c e t h e r i s k o f C W D t r a n s m i s s i o n . Y o u c a n e a s i l y c h e c k c o u n t y baiting and feeding bans on the DNR website.

B a i t i s a n y m a t e r i a l t h a t i s p l a c e d o r u s e d t o a t t r a c t w i l d a n i m a l s f o r h u n t i n g p u r p o s e s , i n c l u d i n g s c e n t m a t e r i a l s , s a l t , m i n e r a l s a n d g r a i n s F e e d i s a n y m a t e r i a l u s e d t o f e e d o r a t t r a c t w i l d a n i m a l s f o r n o n h u n t i n g p u r p o s e s , i n c l u d i n g r e c r e a t i o n a l a n d s u p p l e m e n t a l f e e d i n g , except as allowed for birds a n d s m a l l m a m m a l s B a i t a n d f e e d p l a c e d o n t h e l a n d s c a p e , e v e n i n l i m i t e d q u a n t i t i e s , o f t e n a t t r a c t s unnatural numbers of deer

C o u n t i e s f a l l u n d e r a

three year baiting and feed ing ban when wild or farm raised deer have tested pos i t i v e f o r C W D . I f t h e C W D p o s i t i v e d e e r i s f o u n d w i t h i n 1 0 m i l e s o f a c o u n t y l i n e , t h e a d j o i n i n g c o u n t y w i l l f a l l u n d e r a t w o y e a r b a n . I f a d d i t i o n a l C W D c a s e s a r e f o u n d d u r ing the lifetime of a baiting a n d f e e d i n g b a n , t h e b a n w i l l r e s e t f o r a n a d d i t i o n a l two to three years.

In counties where baiting a n d f e e d i n g i s a l l o w e d , t h e following precautions should be taken when feeding birds and small mammals

F e e d i n g d e v i c e s a n d structures are at a sufficient height or design to prevent access by deer;

M a k e s u r e f e e d i n g s t r u c t u r e s a n d d e v i c e s a r e n o f u r t h e r t h a n 5 0 y a r d s from a dwelling devoted to human occupancy;

I f d e e r , b e a r , o r e l k a r e u s i n g b i r d f e e d i n g d e v i c e s o r s t r u c t u r e s , t h e d e v i c e s o r s t r u c t u r e s s h a l l b e e n c l o s e d o r e l e v a t e d higher to prevent access Deer carcass disposal

W i t h a s u c c e s s f u l h a r v e s t c o m e s d e e r c a r c a s s w a s t e P r o p e r c a r c a s s d i s posal helps slow the spread o f C W D s p r e a d b y r e m o v i n g p o t e n t i a l l y i n f e c t e d d e e r c a r c a s s e s f r o m t h e landscape To properly dis pose of deer carcass waste,

l o c a t e a d e s i g n a t e d d u m p s t e r , t r a n s f e r s t a t i o n o r l a n d f i l l l o c a t i o n a c c e p t i n g d e e r c a r c a s s w a s t e n e a r you on the DNR website

The department does not r e c o m m e n d t r a n s p o r t i n g w h o l e d e e r c a r c a s s e s t o areas outside the county or a d j a c e n t c o u n t y w h e r e t h e animal was harvested

C h r o n i c W a s t i n g D i s e a s e

C W D i s a f a t a l d i s e a s e t h a t a f f e c t s t h e n e r v o u s s y s t e m o f d e e r , e l k , m o o s e a n d c a r i b o u T h e d i s e a s e s p r e a d s t h r o u g h c o n t a c t w i t h a n i n f e c t e d a n i m a l ’ s saliva, urine, feces and nat u r a l d e c o m p o s i t i o n a f t e r d e a t h T h e k n o w n C W D i n f e c t i o u s a g e n t , o r p r i o n , is very resistant to destruc

t i o n , m a k i n g i t v e r y d i f f i c u l t t o c o n t a i n . B e c a u s e o f t h i s , b a i t i n g , f e e d i n g a n d i m p r o p e r c a r c a s s d i s p o s a l i n c r e a s e t h e r i s k o f t r a n s mission.

W h i l e t h e r e h a s n o t been a documented case of C W D i n h u m a n s , t h e W i s c o n s i n D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h S e r v i c e s , t h e C e n t e r s f o r D i s e a s e C o n t r o l a n d W o r l d H e a l t h O r g a n i z a t i o n r e c o m m e n d a g a i n s t c o n s u m i n g m e a t f r o m CWD infected deer. Infect e d d e e r c a n l o o k h e a l t h y ; h o w e v e r , t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h S e r v i c e s e n c o u r ages testing for the disease

regardless of your harvest e d d e e r ’ s p h y s i c a l c o n d i tion. The DHS also recom mends the public only con s u m e v e n i s o n f r o m d e e r that is CWD negative

T o f i n d a C W D s a m

p l i n g l o c a t i o n n e a r y o u where you can submit sam p l e s f r o m W i s c o n s i n h a r v e s t e d d e e r f r e e o f c h a r g e , g o t o t h e D N R ’ s “ S a m pling For Chronic Wasting D i s e a s e ” w e b p a g e . T e s t

results are usually available f r o m t h e D N R w i t h i n t w o weeks.

More information about C W D a n d h o w t o p r e v e n t i t s s p r e a d i s a v a i l a b l e o n the DNR website.

Wednesday - BBQ Ribs

Wednesday - BBQ Ribs

Thursday - Steak, Pasta & Prime Rib

Thursday - Steak, Pasta & Prime Rib

Friday - Fish Fry noon-9pm

Friday - Fish Fry noon-9pm

Saturday - Steaks & Pasta

Saturday - Steaks & Pasta

Sunday - Italian Baked or Fried Chicken & Spaghetti

Sunday - Italian Baked or Fried Chicken & Spaghetti

Steaks,

Steaks, Pizzas, Burgers, Chicken & Much More!

Chicken

Much More!

Hunting 10 The Daily News, Iron Mountain Kingsford, Michigan Friday, October 22, 2021 555 S. Carpenter Ave., Kingsford, Michigan (906) 776-6000 • acehardware.com Check us out on facebook! HUNTING FOR A GREAT DEAL? Welcome Hunters! Open Tues-Sat: 3pm-Close Live Entertainment Nov. 13 & 20 Friday Night Fish Fry Saturday Night Steaks & Prime Rib Full Menu Also Available 906-295-2048 W3707 US 2 & 41, Spalding, MI Happy Hour Mon. - Thurs. Noon 6 p.m Sunday All Day Full Menu Available DEER BAITING AND feeding is pr ohibited in 57 counties in W isconsin, including Flor ence, For est, Vilas and Marinette.

By ERIC HILLIARD Michigan Department of Natural Resources

I f y o u ’ r e a M i c h i g a n h u n t e r , y o u ’ v e l i k e l y noticed a couple of changes t o t h e h u n t i n g d i g e s t s t h e a n n u a l b o o k l e t s a b o u t rules and regulations this year

T h e m o s t n o t i c e a b l e change from the outside was t h e i l l u s t r a t e d c o v e r s , a n d o n e v i n t a g e p h o t o g r a p h o n the cover of the main Hunt i n g D i g e s t . T h e o t h e r n o t e worthy change on the inside w a s t h e q u e s t i o n a n d answer format for the regula tions.

W i t h 2 0 2 1 m a r k i n g t h e 1 0 0 t h a n n i v e r s a r y o f t h e M i c h i g a n D e p a r t m e n t o f N a t u r a l R e s o u r c e s , t h e D N R W i l d l i f e D i v i s i o n w a n t e d t o d o s o m e t h i n g s p e c i a l t o c e l e b r a t e t h e milestone

“Magazine and book cov e r s p r i n t e d d u r i n g t h e 1 9 1 0 s t o 1 9 2 0 s o f t e n f e a tured illustrations or photo g r a p h s , ” s a i d S h e n n e l l e A n t h o n y , g r a p h i c d e s i g n e r f o r t h e W i l d l i f e D i v i s i o n “ H o w e v e r , I q u i c k l y r e a l ized that taking modern pic tures and adding filters and effects were not as visually interesting as I thought they would be. That’s why I took o n t h e c h a l l e n g e o f t r y i n g m y h a n d a t i l l u s t r a t i o n

u s i n g a n i P a d a n d A p p l e P e n c i l a 2 1 s t c e n t u r y technology used to capture an early 20th century feel ”

B e f o r e s t a r t i n g a n i l l u s tration, Anthony would col l e c t p h o t o s o f t h e w i l d l i f e species featured on the cov e r , a l o n g w i t h p o t e n t i a l scenery for the background. These images served as ref erences to visually guide the process

N e x t , s h e w o u l d s k e t c h o u t a s e r i e s o f t h u m b n a i l s i z e d c o n c e p t d r a w i n g s o n paper to build out the possi b l e s c e n e s T h u m b n a i l s k e t c h e s a r e s m a l l d r a w i n g s , q u i c k l y d o n e , t h a t s e r v e a s a f o r m o f b r a i n s t o r m i n g f o r A n t h o n y ’ s process

O n c e s h e s e l e c t e d a t h u m b n a i l i m a g e , s h e moved onto the digital cre a t i o n p r o c e s s o n t h e i P a d S h e u s e d A d o b e ’ s F r e s c o a p p l i c a t i o n o n t h e i P a d t o create the final illustrations

“ I s t a r t e d m y d i g i t a l d r a w i n g s w i t h a l i g h t sketch and then I gradually b u i l t m y c o l o r s F i r s t , I filled the major shapes and o b j e c t s w i t h a n u n d e r t o n e , and then I added layers and l a y e r s o f v a r y i n g h u e s , ” A n t h o n y s a i d “ I a l s o u s e d d i f f e r e n t b r u s h e s t o c r e a t e v a r i o u s t e x t u r e s T o w a r d s t h e l a t t e r p a r t o f t h e p r o c e s s , I a d d e d d e t a i l s , such as highlights ”

I n t o t a l , A n t h o n y worked on five illustrations: wild turkey, red fox, hooded m e r g a n s e r , b l a c k b e a r a n d elk.

“ I l e a r n e d t h a t f u r i s extremely difficult to draw, a n d w a t e r c a n a l s o b e a c h a l l e n g e , ” s h e s a i d “ I e x p e r i m e n t e d , a n d e v e n d e v e l o p e d m y o w n t e c h n i q u e s , t o b e m o r e e f f i c i e n t M y p r o c e s s w a s largely about problem solv ing and thinking outside of t h e b o x t o g e t t h e r e s u l t s that I wanted.”

B e y o n d t h e c o v e r s o f t h e b o o k l e t s , r e a d e r s c a n find a significant change in the format of the regulations this year The question and a n s w e r f o r m a t w a s n o t i n s p i r e d b y t h e 1 0 0 t h anniversary like the illustra t i o n s , b u t r a t h e r o u t o f t h e d e s i r e t o c l a r i f y t h e r u l e s , especially for new hunters.

T h e f o r m a t p r o v i d e s a few advantages over the old w a y o f d o i n g t h i n g s . T h e f i r s t i s t h a t p e o p l e o f t e n a r e s e a r c h i n g t h e d i g e s t t o f i n d t h e a n s w e r t o a q u e s t i o n : “ C a n I d o X Y Z w h i l e I’m hunting?”

W h e n t h e q u e s t i o n s p o s e d i n t h e b o o k a r e a l m o s t i d e n t i c a l t o o n e s i n t h e r e a d e r ’ s m i n d , i t c a n m a k e f i n d i n g t

(Continued from 11)

A h u n t e r s u r v e y w i t h o v e r 2 , 5 0 0 r e s p o n d e n t s i n d i c a t e d a N e t P r o m o t e r Score a measure of cus t o m e r s a t i s f a c t i o n w i t h a p r o d u c t o r s e r v i c e , w i t h a s c a l e o f 1 0 0 t o 1 0 0 o f 45 when it came to finding information in the old digest f o r m a t , v e r s u s a N e t P r o m o t e r S c o r e o f 1 w h e n i t came to finding information with the new format.

This represents a signifi c a n t i m p r o v e m e n t i n t h e ease of finding information.

The Q and A format also paves the way to the future, where digital assistants such a s A l e x a , G o o g l e a n d S i r i c a n f i n d i n f o r m a t i o n a n d r e l a y i t t o t h o s e t a l k i n g t o the devices or even potential D N R c h a t b o t s y e t t o b e developed.

Additionally, the nebu l o u s “ h u n t e r s c a n , ” o r “ a h u n t e r c a n ” w a s r e p l a c e d with “you can.”

Over the years, the DNR h a s f o u n d t h a t e v e n c l e a r regulations will still gener a t e c a l l s f o r c l a r i f i c a t i o n because people are unsure if they meet the criteria for the h u n t e r d e s c r i b e d i n t h e digest scenario.

By clearly stating, “Yes, y o u c a n d o X Y Z , ” o r “ N o , y o u c a n n o t d o X Y Z , ” p e o ple are more confident that t h e s c e n a r i o i n t h e r e g u l a tions applies to them

O n e D N R c u s t o m e r

service representative noted a 3 3 % r e d u c t i o n i n s p r i n g t u r k e y h u n t i n g r e g u l a t i o n s c a l l s c o m p a r e d w i t h t h e previous year Anecdotally, others said that the types of q u e s t i o n s t h e y r e c e i v e d w e r e d i f f e r e n t t h a n i n t h e past

They indicated fewer reg u l a t i o n s c l a r i f i c a t i o n s , b u t questions concerning issues such as selecting the correct hunting unit for the license drawing persisted.

Whether it was the illus t r a t e d c o v e r s o f f e r i n g a b i t o f n o s t a l g i a a s t h e D N R celebrates its centennial, or the new Q and A format of t h e r e g u l a t i o n s t o m a k e things easier for hunters to u n d e r s t a n d , t h e D N R Wildlife Division hopes this y e a r ’ s d i g e s t e x p e r i e n c e i s the best yet

W h i l e 2 0 2 2 w i l l m a r k the return to photographs on t h e c o v e r s , t h e q u e s t i o n and answer format appears t o b e h e r e t o s t a y , w i t h a n a i m t o c o n t i n u e t o r e f i n e and improve the regulations t o m a k e t h e m a s c l e a r , a n d user friendly, as possible

H u n t e r s c a n f i n d d i g i t a l v e r s i o n s o f a l l t h e h u n t i n g d i g e s t s a t Michigan gov/DNRDigests

Michigan Department of Natural Resources photo