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RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE MICHIGAN WILDLIFE CONSERVANCY
FOR LOCALIZED DEER POPULATION CONTROL
The Michigan Wildlife Conservancy advocates the
direct reduction of deer numbers where overbrowsing of natural habitats,
damage to crops or yards, or deer-car accidents are documented problems.
The Conservancy offers the recommendations below for controlling
deer numbers at unfenced nature centers, parks or other areas with high
deer concentrations and habitat damage.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
- Ban
feeding of deer within the unit of government and park systems
affected by too many deer.
- Avoid
management by the numbers. Although
overbrowsing has been documented most often when deer exceed 40 per
square mile, populations fluctuate widely seasonally and even weekly,
and are extremely difficult to assess.
Set deer reduction goals based on habitat monitoring.
That is, assess whether deer-caused damage is decreasing, and
whether overbrowsed plants are recovering, not on the number of deer
present or deer shot each year.
- Reduce
deer numbers through special regulation sport hunting rather than
hiring costly “sharp-shooters.”
This will create a rapport with the local hunting community,
which can be an important ally in reducing deer numbers.
Normally, use no more than one hunter per 40 acres for multiple
periods within seasons of 90 to 150 days.
Try to obtain permission from the Michigan Department of
Natural Resources to allow hunting in September and/or January as well
as during the statewide October 1 – January 1 season. Allow individual hunters to take up to 10 deer under
special permits. Consider
allowing the use of crossbows where gun hunting would be unsafe or
otherwise objectionable. State
regulations allow the use of crossbows during the firearms (November
15-30) season only, so special permission from the DNR should be
sought for crossbow use in all special seasons.
Consider restricting hunting hours (e.g., early morning only)
if necessary to avoid conflicts with area users.
Do not allow hunters to use bait.
Allow the use of removable tree stands.
Require all hunters to attend a pre-hunt meeting to ensure that
they understand all of the local and state laws and special rules that
must be followed.
For a description of the
deer hunting program utilized by the Michigan Wildlife Conservancy at the
Bengel Wildlife Center click here. An effective program has also been run by the Chippewa Nature
Center, in Midland.
- Target
antlerless deer primarily. Establish
a permit system that strongly encourages the taking of antlerless
deer. Revise the system
annually until antlerless deer make up at least 80% of deer taken.
- Require
that hunters report all deer killed to the managing entity, and keep
records of deer taken, by sex.
- Work
with local officials to encourage deer control in all major habitats
within three miles of the management area in question.
This may require units of government and/or private landowners
joining together to control excessive deer numbers.
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