MWC Releases Deer Management Recommendations
September - October 2008
The Michigan Wildlife Conservancy has released recommendations for localized deer population control that may help some cities, townships and private landowners cope with deer damage. The non-profit organization based in Bath, near Lansing, 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’s recommendations for controlling deer numbers at unfenced nature centers, parks or other areas with high deer concentrations and habitat damage, along with additional information and the rationale behind the guidelines, can be found on its website – miwildlife.org.
The recommendations include: banning feeding of deer; setting deer reduction goals based on habitat monitoring, not on the number of deer present or deer killed each year; reducing deer numbers through special regulation hunting seasons, rather than hiring costly “sharp-shooters;” targeting antlerless deer primarily; and working with local officials to encourage deer control in all major habitats within three miles of the management area in question.
The Conservancy says that trying to manage deer ‘by the numbers” is a mistake. Although overbrowsing has been documented most often when deer exceed 40 per square mile, populations fluctuate widely, seasonally and weekly, and are extremely difficult to assess. So, the organization suggests that instead of counting deer, focus should be on assessing whether deer-caused damage is decreasing and whether over-browsed plants are re-covering.
The Conservancy also stresses the importance of creating a rapport with local hunters and offers guidelines for controlled hunting. 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.
The Conservancy’s website describes the deer hunting program it utilizes at its 259-acre Bengel Wildlife Center in Clinton County, and cites the program of the Chippewa Nature Center in Midland County as another successful program to control deer damage.
Below is a list of some cities and park systems where deer hunting is taking place, or being considered:
The Michigan Wildlife Conservancy has released recommendations for localized deer population control that may help some cities, townships and private landowners cope with deer damage. The non-profit organization based in Bath, near Lansing, 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’s recommendations for controlling deer numbers at unfenced nature centers, parks or other areas with high deer concentrations and habitat damage, along with additional information and the rationale behind the guidelines, can be found on its website – miwildlife.org.
The recommendations include: banning feeding of deer; setting deer reduction goals based on habitat monitoring, not on the number of deer present or deer killed each year; reducing deer numbers through special regulation hunting seasons, rather than hiring costly “sharp-shooters;” targeting antlerless deer primarily; and working with local officials to encourage deer control in all major habitats within three miles of the management area in question.
The Conservancy says that trying to manage deer ‘by the numbers” is a mistake. Although overbrowsing has been documented most often when deer exceed 40 per square mile, populations fluctuate widely, seasonally and weekly, and are extremely difficult to assess. So, the organization suggests that instead of counting deer, focus should be on assessing whether deer-caused damage is decreasing and whether over-browsed plants are re-covering.
The Conservancy also stresses the importance of creating a rapport with local hunters and offers guidelines for controlled hunting. 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.
The Conservancy’s website describes the deer hunting program it utilizes at its 259-acre Bengel Wildlife Center in Clinton County, and cites the program of the Chippewa Nature Center in Midland County as another successful program to control deer damage.
Below is a list of some cities and park systems where deer hunting is taking place, or being considered:
- Ironwood
- Marshall
- Grand Haven
- Jackson
- Muskegon
- Flint
- Ottawa County Parks
- Huron-Clinton Metro Parks Area (Southeast Michigan)
- Kalamazoo Nature Center
- Rochester Hills
- Chippewa Nature Center (Midland)
- Portage