Post by ridge on Jun 30, 2020 19:36:56 GMT -5
GOVERNOR
DANIEL EICHINGER DIRECTOR
SUBMITTED: April 20, 2020 RESUBMITTED: May 19, 2020 RESUBMITTED: June 18, 2020
MEMORANDUM TO THE NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
Subject: Deer Regulations Wildlife Conservation Order Amendment No. 6 of 2020
Authority:
The Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, authorizes the Director and the Commission to issue orders to manage wild animals in this state.
Discussion and Background:
The Natural Resources Commission (NRC) reviewed and discussed the proposed deer regulations during their June 11, 2020, regularly scheduled meeting. The NRC requested that the Department bring back a revised Wildlife Conservation Order (WCO) amendment that removes the hunter orange requirement on occupied ground blinds in sections 2.9 (7) and 2.10 (3). The Department has removed the recommendation from this memorandum and WCO amendment.
Deer regulations are on a three-year regulatory cycle and were set for 2017-2019. However, due to the finding of chronic wasting disease (CWD), the Department and the NRC made regulatory changes outside of the three-year cycle for CWD management in 2018 and 2019. In preparation for the 2020-2022 deer regulatory cycle, deer regulations, such as open/closed deer management units (DMUs), license quotas, antler point restrictions (APRs), season dates, disease, and other various regulations were reviewed or developed with internal staff, stakeholder groups, and the public earlier this year as part of the three-year regulatory cycle process. The Department’s recommendations, as explained in this memorandum, are intended to simplify and reduce confusing regulations, slow the spread of disease, and increase deer harvest opportunities for hunters.
The Department will continue to review deer regulations as data continues to show a decline in hunters and a decline in revenue from hunting license sales as the deer population continues to grow. The Department will also continue to review deer regulations for disease and population management goals.
Statewide Recommendations:
A P P R O V E D ______________________,20____ MICHIGAN NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION _____________________________ (ASSISTANT TO THE COMMISSION)
Deer Regulations Wildlife Conservation Order Amendment No. 6 of 2020 Page 2 June 18, 2020
Liberty and Independence Hunts The Accessibility Advisory Council (AAC) requested to add a qualification for the Liberty and Independence Hunts to include deaf individuals as defined by section 2 of 1937 PA 72, MCL 408.202. “Deaf person” means a person who is not able to process information aurally, with or without amplification, and whose primary means of communication is visual or by receiving spoken language through other sensory input, including, but not limited to, lipreading, sign language, finger spelling, or reading. The Department recommends this proposal at the request of the AAC. Allowing a relatively small number of additional hunters with disabilities to participate in these hunts will provide additional recreational opportunities and another weekend of public and private land hunting for these newly qualified individuals.
Issues Pros and Cons The AAC provides guidance to help the Department develop, manage and plan opportunities for those of all abilities to enjoy Michigan’s natural resources. The AAC also strives to educate citizens on the importance of accessibility and to involve citizens in the planning and development of facilities and programs that are accessible to all users.
These hunts give hunters with disabilities the opportunity to hunt deer on public or private land without competition from other hunters and allow Michigan’s deer resources to be more accessible to hunters with disabilities.
There may be some pushback from hunters who do not agree with these special hunts and allowing additional opportunities for a specific group of hunters.
Biological In 2018, approximately 474 deer were harvested during the Independence Hunt and approximately 10,062 deer were harvested during the Liberty Hunt, though it’s presumed most of this harvest in this season is by eligible youth hunters. The Department does not expect a biological impact.
Social Allowing a relatively small number of additional hunters with disabilities to participate in these hunts is unlikely to create any issues with current hunters.
The Independence Hunt has limited participation statewide; there were approximately 2,154 hunters in 2018. The Liberty Hunt (both hunters with disabilities and youth hunters) has higher participation statewide, with approximately 30,000 hunters participating in 2018; most of these hunters are believed to be youth hunters.
Economic The Department does not expect an economic impact.
APR Applicability for New and Young Hunters
Under current regulations, APRs do not apply to youth hunters licensed under the mentored youth hunting program and juniors (ages 10-16) hunting during the Liberty Hunt. During all other deer seasons, APRs are enforced for all junior hunters as well as all apprentice hunters. Apprentice hunters are typically new hunters who have not yet completed hunter’s safety but are interested in trying hunting, and therefore, purchase the apprentice license. In order to simplify communication, provide an increase in recreational opportunities and provide a way to introduce new hunters to Michigan’s rich outdoor heritage, the Department recommends removing APRs for all youth hunters (16 years of age and younger) and apprentice hunters. In addition, the Department recommends that these individuals be exempt from APRs during all deer seasons. This includes the four-point APR on the restricted tag of the deer combination license. The Department expects this change to simplify regulations and offer an opportunity for novice hunters.
Issues Pros and Cons Removing APRs for all youth hunters (16 years of age and younger) and apprentice hunters is another avenue to introduce new hunters to the sport of hunting. In addition, eliminating APRs on deer that may be harvested may help increase hunter success rates and satisfaction during all deer seasons. Expanding the APR exemption to all deer seasons for these individuals will simplify regulations and provide additional recreational opportunities.
Removing APRs for these individuals during all deer seasons may result in some social conflict.
Biological The Department does not expect a biological impact. Even if success rates increase, the Department does not anticipate the level of harvest to have a negative biological impact by impacting the age structure of male deer on the landscape.
Social This recommendation was supported by all but one member of the APR workgroup.
Economic The Department does not expect a significant increase or decrease in participation, and therefore, does not expect an economic impact.
Season Purchase Limits for Private Land Antlerless Deer Licenses
Current regulations allow hunters to purchase a season limit of up to 10 private land antlerless deer licenses in disease areas, including DMUs 452, 487, the Core CWD Area, and the CWD Management Zone. In the rest of the state, the season purchase limit is up to 5 private land antlerless deer licenses. In order to eliminate confusion and simplify regulations, the Department recommends a statewide season purchase limit of up to 10 private land antlerless deer licenses.
Issues Pros and Cons
Implementing a statewide season purchase limit of up to 10 private land antlerless deer licenses will create consistency and simplify regulations across the state. The Department expects this recommendation to impact a minimal number of hunters.
Some deer management units that have a season purchase limit of 5 private land antlerless deer licenses also have a very low private land antlerless quota. Increasing the season purchase limit from 5 to 10 private land antlerless licenses may result in the quota selling out faster, as hunters may purchase all 10 licenses, limiting the ability for other hunters to purchase licenses. This issue can potentially be addressed in future regulation cycles by increasing antlerless quotas, if necessary.
Biological The Department encourages additional harvest of antlerless deer, especially on private lands, in order to lower deer population levels in some areas. Given that the 2018 Deer Harvest Survey showed that only one percent of hunters purchase four or more antlerless licenses, the Department does not expect a biological impact.
Social There may be a perception that a purchase limit of 10 private land antlerless deer licenses will result in an overharvest of deer. However, data show that approximately 60 percent of hunters don’t purchase an antlerless license and approximately 30 percent purchase one.
Economic This recommendation may result in less staff time issuing DMAPS in those areas that currently have a season purchase limit of 5 private land antlerless deer licenses.
Baiting Exception for Hunters with Disabilities
The NRC approved regulations that grant a baiting exception for hunters with disabilities who meet specific requirements during the Liberty and Independence Hunts. In Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency, and Oscoda Counties, and within the UP Core CWD Surveillance Area, CWD Management Zone, and Core CWD Area, hunters with disabilities may bait provided they use not more than two gallons at a time of single-bite baits, which include shelled corn, nuts, beet pulp, deer feed or pellets, or wheat or other grain. Hunters with disabilities in all other areas can use any type bait during the Liberty and Independence Hunts (regular baiting restrictions apply). There is currently no evidence that shows changing the type of bait being used can mitigate risk in transmission of CWD and continuing a regulation that promotes that difference promotes an idea not yet determined by research. In order to reduce confusion, provide statewide consistency, and simplify regulations, the Department recommends removing the single bite bait regulation and allowing hunters with disabilities to use any legal type of bait during the Liberty and Independence Hunts provided that all other baiting regulations are followed.
Issues Pros and Cons
Even though granting a baiting exception during these two hunts for individuals with qualifying disabilities will offer a service to some of our constituents, baiting causes unnatural concentrations of deer and this activity increases the risk of disease infection and spread, and repeated use of baiting areas poses a long-term risk of disease transmission.
Biological The relationship between baiting, feeding, and CWD transmission is in the risks associated with congregating wildlife. While natural food sources also congregate wildlife, human activities such as baiting do so at rates above natural sources and therefore increase the risks of transmitting disease. That is, disease transmission due to human activities is additive—over and above transmission due to natural sources of congregation. The risks of congregating animals around bait are manifold: it increases the probability of direct contact between infected and noninfected animals, and it also increases the risk of contaminating the food source itself or the surrounding environment. There are no available data that indicates single-bite baits generate less additiverisk that other baits.
Social The Department does not have any data on the success rate for hunters with disabilities when hunting over bait vs. not hunting over bait. Allowing baiting to occur in known disease areas, even for hunters with disabilities is generally not consistent with sound disease management ideals.
Economic The Department does not expect an economic impact.
Upper Peninsula Recommendations:
Open/Closed DMUs and Antlerless Quotas
Since the harsh winters of 2013 and 2014 which had an impact on the Upper Peninsula (UP) deer herd, the Department has seen recovery in the deer herd as evidenced by increasing harvest and hunter success rates. In the southern UP, the Department is observing the highest densities of deer with the highest harvest levels anywhere on the Peninsula. In 2019, the Department recommended additional opportunities for hunters to manage the local deer herd, in addition to the detection of CWD and recovering deer numbers in that area. Compared to 2019 quotas, the proposed antlerless deer license quotas would result in an increase of 120 public land antlerless licenses and no change in the private land antlerless licenses in the UP.
For the 2020 deer hunting season, the Department recommends additional antlerless harvest opportunity on public land. This includes: • Increasing antlerless license quotas, as shown below, for public land licenses in each of the following DMUs: o Increasing antlerless licenses available in DMU 121 to 500 public land. o Increasing antlerless licenses available in DMU 122 to 300 public land. o Increasing antlerless licenses available in DMU 155 to 400 public land.
2019 UP Antlerless Deer License Quota
DMU Public Private Total 121 480 800 1,280, 122 240 1,000 1,240, 155 360 1,800 2,160 Totals 1,080 3,600 4,680
2020 UP Antlerless Deer License Quota Recommendation
DMU Public Private Total 121 500 800 1,300, 122 300 1,000 1,300, 155 400 1,800 2,200 Totals 1,200 3,600 4,800
,Biological The UP region varies significantly in capability of habitat to support deer, winter impacts on deer, predator populations, and other factors that influence deer numbers. Antlerless harvest was highly restricted in the UP during the 2014-16 regulation cycle due to a 3-year span of harsh winters. Only three DMUs were open to antlerless license issuance, and quotas were conservative. Deer numbers in the UP began to rebound by spring 2017 following two consecutive mild winters. In 2019, antlerless harvest opportunity was expanded to five DMUs, and antlerless license quotas were increased. A few units located in the south-central UP where deer numbers tend to be higher and winter conditions are far less severe were proposed to have an increase in private land antlerless licenses and additional public land open for antlerless hunting opportunities.
Social Units in which only one to two bucks are harvested per square mile tend to produce low deer sighting rates and hunter satisfaction, and antlerless harvest is generally highly restricted or unavailable in these areas. Deer management units in the south-central UP typically provide outstanding deer hunting with buck kills exceeding five per square mile. In these units, antlerless licenses may be issued to manage the population and to provide additional recreational opportunity.
Economic The number of deer harvested by farmers this past summer on deer damage shooting permits to protect their crops from damage in the south-central UP reached a 5-year high. Antlerless harvest opportunities will continue to be important in DMUs in the south-central UP to address agricultural crop damage and forest regeneration concerns.
Reinstate the Antlerless Option During Archery Deer Season for Hunters Hunting on the Deer License or Deer Combination License in the Entire UP
In 2015, the NRC approved regulations that eliminated the antlerless option during archery deer season for hunters hunting on a deer license or deer combination license in the entire UP in response to declining deer numbers. Then in 2019, the NRC approved regulations that reinstated the antlerless option during archery season for hunters hunting on the deer license or deer combination license in DMUs open to antlerless licenses. That included DMUs located in the south-central UP, where deer numbers tend to be higher and winter conditions are less severe. In order to provide additional antlerless harvest opportunities and provide consistency in regulations across the UP, the Department recommends reinstating the antlerless option during archery season for hunters hunting on the deer license or deer combination license in the entire UP.
Issues Pros and Cons Reinstating the antlerless option during archery season for hunters hunting on the deer license or deer combination license in the entire UP will provide hunters with more flexibility and opportunity to hunt across the UP. In addition, this will also provide for simplified and consistent regulations across the UP.
There may be some confusion regarding the option to take antlerless deer with a deer license or deer combination license; however, the Department will continue effective communications and customer service related to the regulatory changes.
Biological The UP region varies significantly in capability of habitat to support deer, with winter impacts on deer, predator populations, and other factors that influence deer numbers. The severe winters of 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 resulted in high snow depths and harsh winter conditions. These conditions left many areas of the UP with low deer numbers. Since that time, the deer herd has begun to grow due to conservative regulations and the relatively mild to average winter conditions over the last couple of years. Allowing antlerless harvest on a deer license or deer combination license during archery deer season will increase antlerless hunting opportunities and support continued management of the population.
In addition, prior to the removal of this regulation, it was estimated that less than 6,000 antlerless deer were estimated to have been harvested on average each year under this option across the entire UP. This equates to less than .4 deer per square mile. While this may have some localized population impacts, it will provide additional opportunity to hunters, especially those who are subsistence participants.
Social Providing the option to take an antlerless deer during archery season on a deer license or a deer combination license will provide additional recreational opportunity. Providing additional antlerless harvest in the UP may result in some social conflict.
Economic Antlerless harvest opportunities will continue to be important in DMUs to address agricultural crop damage and forest regeneration concerns.
Remove APRs on the Deer License in the Remainder of DMU 122
Current regulations in DMU 122 are split because the UP Core CWD Surveillance Area encompasses majority of the DMU, except for the northern portion. In the UP Core CWD Surveillance Area, there are no APRs on the deer license or deer combination license. In the rest of DMU 122, there is a 3-point APR on the deer license and deer combination regular license, and a 4-point APR on the deer combination restricted license. This causes confusion and enforcement issues for hunters and staff. In order to simplify and create consistent regulations, the Department recommends removing the APRs in the northern portion of DMU 122 on the deer license. This will align the deer license and deer combination license with the rest of the UP, except for the UP Core CWD Surveillance Area.
Issues Pros and Cons This change will provide consistent and simplified regulations. At first, this may result in some pushback by hunters who are already familiar with APRs in DMU 122, but the Department will provide clear communication to the hunting community.
Biological Removing the APRs is not likely to impact overall harvest. Changes to male age structure harvest would have been most affected last year when deer regulations were changed in the UP Core CWD Surveillance Area.
Social Removing the APRs in the northern portion of DMU 122 on the deer license will provide additional recreational opportunity that includes antlered deer less than three points per side.
Economic The Department does not expect an economic impact.
Lower Peninsula Recommendations:
Open/Closed DMUs and Antlerless Quotas
The Department recommends a change in public land antlerless deer license quotas and private land antlerless deer license quotas in the Lower Peninsula (LP). Compared to 2019 quotas, the proposed antlerless deer license quotas would result in an increase in both public and private
land antlerless licenses in the Northern Lower Peninsula (NLP) and the Southwest Lower Peninsula (SWLP). In the Southeast Lower Peninsula (SELP), no change is proposed for both public and private land antlerless licenses.
It is proposed that 46,300 public land antlerless licenses (up from 39,300 in 2019), and that a total of 129,100 private land antlerless licenses be available (up from 123,000 in 2019) in the NLP.
It is proposed that 18,150 public land antlerless licenses (up from 15,560 in 2019), and that a total of 66,000 private land antlerless licenses be available (up from 48,500 in 2019) in the SWLP. Because of the presence of CWD in many counties in the SWLP, private land quotas are not issued, which allows hunters to pursue antlerless deer without the risk of licenses being sold out.
It is proposed that 17,100 public land antlerless licenses be available (no change from 17,100 in 2019), and that a total of 146,000 private land antlerless licenses be available (no change from 146,000 in 2019) in the SELP.
Overall, these proposals would result in 9,590 more public land antlerless licenses and 23,600 more private land antlerless licenses available in the LP.
The proposed increases in the NLP and the SWLP, as well as the consistency in the SELP, reflect a recognition from Department staff that deer hunters are decreasing at a rate of two to four percent per year statewide and do not have the ability to manage deer populations at the level they once did. With this knowledge, Department staff would like to maximize hunter opportunity and success across the LP. Therefore, many areas are attempting to allow for quotas to meet hunter demand in each DMU.
Preliminary harvest estimates from the 2019 season were not yet available prior to submission of antlerless license quota proposals. However, to accompany 2020 regulations proposals, field staff has prepared narrative documents reporting and analyzing multiple-year trends in data and deer management issues in each DMU. These documents are available separately for review to the NRC and will be available to the public. Summaries of conditions by management region are provided below.
Northern Lower Peninsula Region
For several years prior and in the years following the harsh winter of 2013-2014, the northern LP experienced relatively mild winters and staff observed deer populations steadily increasing. All DMUs within the region are recommended to be open for antlerless licenses on both private and public land, with the exception of private land licenses for DMU 145 (North Manitou Island), as no private land is contained within that DMU.
Biological Winter is a major factor of deer populations in many areas of the NLP. The impacts of winter tend to lessen when moving north to south in the NLP. In addition, the deer numbers are driven more by resource availability. Over the last three years, the NLP has seen relatively mild winter
conditions. This has led to increases in deer numbers across majority of the region. For this reason, the NLP is proposing an increase in many DMUs on both public and private land.
Social Currently, there is a 3-point APR in 13 DMUs in the northwest LP. As part of these APRs, biologists are aiming to have at least a 1:1 harvest of bucks to does in order to achieve a more balanced buck to doe ratio in addition to keeping deer numbers low for impact management. Adequate antlerless quotas are necessary to achieve this goal, which may have a biological impact but has also been driven by hunter preference for implementing regulations to achieve a more satisfying deer hunting experience.
Economic Issues with agricultural crop damage can be highly variable in the NLP, even within given DMUs. Distinct private and public land antlerless quotas and the availability of early and late antlerless seasons on private land provide the opportunity to make tools available to private landowners experiencing damage as a result of concentrations of deer where their numbers are not excessive overall. Economic impacts also result from the presence of bovine tuberculosis in the eastern NLP, and disease eradication efforts require continued availability of antlerless licenses in these DMUs.
Southwest and Southeast Lower Peninsula Region
It is recommended that all DMUs in the southern LP be open for antlerless deer licenses. The sole exception is to leave DMU 025 (Genesee County) closed for public land antlerless deer licenses, as no public land is contained within that DMU.
Biological For approximately the past decade, deer population estimates and indices (including deer/vehicle collisions, crop damage complaints, and observations of deer by the hunting community and field staff) in the southern LP have stabilized. Department management efforts are intended to reduce deer densities throughout most of the region. The Department recommends more opportunities for hunters to manage the local deer herd, in addition to the detection of CWD and recovering deer numbers in the SWLP.
Social Based on previous drawing histories, most proposed private land antlerless quotas are expected to exceed hunter demand for the recreational opportunity offered through antlerless harvest. Economic Where local deer abundance continues to contribute to incidence of agricultural damage, additional antlerless harvest within DMUs otherwise constrained by antlerless quotas will be possible through field staff efforts to work with property owners to provide DMAPs. An increasing number of suburban communities in which hunting is still feasible have taken advantage of this opportunity, and the Department is working statewide to more efficiently address these needs that are often driven by community concerns regarding economic impacts from deer browsing and deer-vehicle collisions.
Allow Antlerless Deer to Be Taken on Deer License and Deer Combination License During Firearm and Muzzleloader Seasons in the Entire Lower Peninsula
Current regulations in the LP are confusing due to the lack of consistent regulations. During the archery deer season, a hunter choosing to harvest a deer on a deer license or deer combination license has the option of shooting an antlerless or antlered deer (APRs may apply). However, during the firearm and muzzleloader season, antlerless deer can only be taken in the CWD Management Zone and Bovine Tuberculosis (TB) Zone. In order to simplify and create consistent regulations across all seasons in the LP, the Department recommends allowing antlerless deer to be taken on the deer license or deer combination license during the firearm and muzzleloader season.
Issues Pros and Cons Allowing antlerless deer to be taken on a deer license or deer combination license during firearm and muzzleloader season in the entire LP will eliminate confusion and provide consistent regulations across the LP.
This change will provide consistency and some familiarity between the CWD Management Zone, TB Area, and the rest of the state. At first, this may result in some pushback by hunters who are already familiar with not taking antlerless deer during the firearm or muzzleloader seasons. However, this regulation is already implemented in the CWD Management Zone and TB Area, so providing this additional recreational opportunity will allow more flexibility for hunters hunting in various locations across the LP.
Biological This change first occurred in six counties in the northeast, known as DMU 487. The change was made in 2010. While this did not increase antlerless harvest in comparison to prior years, it was able to show a slower decrease in harvest levels in comparison to adjacent counites that did not have this regulation in place.
Deer Harvest Levels During Firearm Deer Season in DMU 487 and Adjacent Counites
Firearm Season DMU 487
Adjacent Counties Average Antlerless Harvest (2001 – 2009) 8,004.0 3919.1
Average Antlerless Harvest (2010 – 2018) 7,579.4 2747,.8 % Change -5.3% -29.9%
Average Antlered Harvest (2001 – 2009) 12,152.9 7,831.0 Average Antlered Harvest (2010 – 2018) 10,803.9 6,929.7 % Change -11.1% -11.5%
The percentage of change observed in antlerless harvest was 5.3% decrease in DMU 487, whereas over the same time frame, a 29.9% decrease was observed in antlerless harvest in the adjacent counties that do not have this regulation. Looking at antlered harvest, the decrease in harvest observed is nearly the same with an 11.1% decrease in DMU 487 and an 11.5% in the adjacent counties. While the Department cannot say that harvest will increase due to this regulation change, it can be inferred that this will help to slow the harvest loss that may be seen over time as Michigan loses more hunters.
Social Some hunters may not accept this regulation and may result in a perception of overharvest that this may reduce the deer population. Likewise, there will be hunters who support this regulation as it provides flexibility in their harvest options and may save them money by purchasing fewer licenses.
However, this is a population regulation in DMU 487 where it has been in place for ten years. While it did not greatly impact hunter behavior or decisions, hunters have voiced that they appreciate the options that accompany this regulation.
Economic This regulation may result in a decrease in antlerless license sales because of the opportunity to shoot an antlerless deer on the deer license or deer combination license. However, this may be offset by the number of hunters that choose to purchase a deer combination license rather than a single deer license.
Expansion of Early/Late Antlerless Firearm Deer Seasons
The Department is recommending expansion of areas open to both the early and late antlerless firearm seasons in the NLP. Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Lake, Missaukee, Kalkaska, Ogemaw, Otsego, Roscommon, and Wexford counties are recommended to be open for these seasons. The Department is also recommending expansion of areas open to the early antlerless firearm season in the SWLP. Allegan, Van Buren, Cass, Berrien, St. Joseph, Kalamazoo, and Branch counties are recommended to be open for the early antlerless season. Opening these counties to the early and late antlerless firearm season will open the entire LP for these seasons, except for the island DMUs 145, 245, 115, and 149. This will simplify and create consistent regulations across the LP.
Issues Pros and Cons The Department encourages additional harvest of antlerless deer, especially on private lands, in order to maintain or lower deer population levels in some areas.
Opening all counties in the LP for both the early and late antlerless season will provide additional opportunities to harvest antlerless deer and will support CWD management along a broader area. In addition, opening these areas will provide additional means of addressing the occurrence of deer damage within localized areas of these counties.
Biological In 2018, approximately 3 percent of the antlerless deer harvest occurred during the early antlerless firearm season and approximately 11 percent of the antlerless harvest occurred during the late antlerless firearm season.
Social Among 240,871 NLP hunters and 278,922 Southern Lower Peninsula (SLP) hunters, approximately 13,057 have participated in the early antlerless firearm season and approximately 57,973 in the late antlerless firearm season according to the 2018 Deer Harvest Survey Report. Participation is less in the early antlerless firearm season, however providing additional opportunities may increase participation efforts.
Economic This may result in an increase of antlerless deer licenses.
Deer License and Deer Combination License Valid for the Early/Late Antlerless Firearm Deer Seasons
The Department recommends that a valid deer license or deer combination license may be used on private lands to take an antlerless deer during the early and late antlerless firearm seasons. Currently, these licenses are only valid for the take of antlerless deer during these seasons on private lands in the Core CWD Area, CWD Management Zone, DMU 452, and DMU 487. This recommended change will simplify and create consistent regulations across the LP these seasons.
Issues Pros and Cons Expanding the use of the deer license and deer combination license during the early and late antlerless firearm deer season will provide additional recreational opportunities and will support continued TB and CWD management along a broader area.
Biological The Department does not expect a biological impact.
Social This regulation will provide additional opportunities for hunters who have been unsuccessful in taking a deer during other deer seasons.
Economic The Department does not expect an economic impact.
Muzzleloader and Late Antlerless Firearm Season Dates
Currently, muzzleloader season dates for zone 2 (NLP) and zone 3 (SLP) are different from one another, however the season dates for zone 1 (UP) and zone 2 (NLP) are the same. In order to create statewide consistency, the Department recommends aligning the SLP muzzleloader season dates with the UP and NLP. In addition, the Department recommends beginning the late antlerless firearm season the Monday after the muzzleloader season concludes. This will also create statewide consistency.
Issues Pros and Cons The muzzleloader season statewide starts the first Friday after the firearm season concludes, however in the UP and NLP the season lasts for 10 days and in the SLP, the season lasts 17 days. The late antlerless firearm season starts the day after the SLP muzzleloader season. Aligning the muzzleloader season dates across the state and starting the late antlerless firearm season the Monday after the muzzleloader season concludes simplifies and creates consistent regulations.
Aligning the muzzleloader seasons between the NLP and the SLP will shorten the current muzzleloader season in the SLP, however will expand late antlerless firearm season in all regions. This regulation will provide for additional recreational opportunity in the late antlerless firearm season and will allow for more flexibility for hunters.
Biological This regulation will focus on antlerless harvest efforts for a longer period. The Department does not expect a significant biological impact but does except the regulation to better align management goals of a balanced harvest between antlered and antlerless deer.
Social This regulation will provide more opportunity for private land antlerless harvest in both the NLP and SLP; however, it may provide less opportunity for public land muzzleloader hunters in the SLP. Additionally, this will be a loss of seven days of opportunity in the SLP to pursue antlered deer. There may be a perception that this may increase antlerless harvest dramatically, resulting in deer populations too low for hunters to be satisfied.
Economic The Department does not expect an economic impact.
Open Muzzleloader Season to All Firearms in Zone 3
Current regulations allow the use of firearms during the muzzleloader season in the CWD Management Zone. To expand hunting opportunities in the existing muzzleloader season, the Department recommends opening opportunities to more hunters in the muzzleloader season in zone 3 (including the full counties of Oceana, Newaygo, Mecosta, Isabella, Midland, and Bay counties) by allowing firearms. All firearms that are legal during the firearms season for that respective zone will be legal during the muzzleloader season. This will simplify and allow for consistent regulations across the zone 3.
Issues Pros and Cons
Expanding the opportunity to allow firearms during muzzleloader season across all of zone 3 (including the full counties in which the zone 3 lines runs through) will increase participation and provide more opportunities for hunters. In addition, it simplifies and creates consistent regulations across most of the region. This will also provide for better enforcement.
Muzzleloader season maintains a small, yet vocal following and losing the exclusivity of that season would likely upset that segment of hunters greatly.
Biological Though it was only one year of data, for the 19 counties that had this option in 2018, a total of 10,081 deer were taken, representing an increase from 2017 where 8,146 deer were taken during the muzzleloader season. An increase of just under 1,000 hunters was observed during this season in 2018. When compared with adjacent counties (Oceana, Allegan, Kalamazoo, Branch, Monroe, Washtenaw, Livingston, Genesee, Saginaw, and Bay), this represented a different trend, where harvest decreased in 2018 to 3,256, down from 4,278 during this season. A decline in hunter participation was also observed in these counties during this season. These differences require further vetting as many other changes occurred in these counties during this time, but the initial response seemed to align with management direction.
Social Hunters who prefer the tradition of an exclusive muzzleloader season will be opposed to this change. Hunters who desire more opportunity or are limited to only owning one shotgun or rifle will be afforded more opportunities to participate in an additional firearms season.
Economic The Department does not expect an economic impact.
Resume 4-point APR on Restricted Tag of Deer Combination License in CWD Management Zone (Not Including Newaygo and Kent Counties)
Since the identification of CWD in 2015, the Department removed the 4-point APR from the restricted tag of the deer combination license. Though the DMUs for the CWD areas have changed each year, making between year comparisons is challenging, the Department has not had any evidence that removing APRs from the restricted tag of the deer combination license has changed either the yearling buck harvest percentage or increased the harvest of total antlered deer. The Department recommends resuming the 4-point APR on the restricted tag of the deer combination license in the CWD Management Zone. This recommendation does not include Newaygo and Kent counties since they are the control area of the APR Field Study.
Issues Pros and Cons This change will provide consistency and familiarity between the CWD Management Zone and the rest of Zone 3. At first, this may result in some pushback by hunters who are already familiar with no APRs in the Core CWD Areas, but the Department will provide clear communication to the hunting community.
Biological Resuming the 4-point APR on the restricted tag of the deer combination license is not likely to impact overall harvest.
Social There are some who are likely to be opposed to this regulation, believing that any deer within a Core CWD Area should be able to be harvested on a deer or deer combination license. Likewise, there are others who will desire additional APRs on the deer license or deer combination license. The information to date does not support the addition of APRs to all tags within a Core CWD Area for managing CWD. Additionally, there has seemingly been no impact on antlered harvest with the removal of the restricted tag on the deer combination license in the previous three years but adding back the original APR will create continuity and consistency for hunters.
Economic The Department does not expect an economic impact.
CWD Management Zone and Zone 3 Regulatory Alignment
The CWD Management Zone was created according to the Michigan’s Surveillance and Response Plan for Chronic Wasting Disease of Free-Ranging and Privately-Owned Cervids (Plan). One of the control measures outlined in the Plan is to establish a CWD Management Zone that includes, at a minimum, any county with a boundary that is intersected by a 10-mile radius around each of the documented cases where the infected animals were located. In addition, the Plan states that if results of a local population survey or credible scientific evidence suggests that cervids from within the radius are likely to move beyond these Management Zone boundaries, those boundaries should be expanded. In 2018, the Department created a 16-county CWD Management Zone and added additional counties in 2019. Since May of 2015, the Department has tested over 80,300 free-ranging deer for CWD and has a much better understanding of the distribution of CWD in SW Michigan because of these efforts. The Department recommends aligning the regulations in the CWD Management Zone with the proposed regulations throughout zone 3. It is recommended that there be no difference in regulations between counties in the CWD Management Zone and counties outside the CWD Management Zone.
Issues Pros and Cons Aligning the regulations in the CWD Management Zone with the rest of zone 3 will certainly provide confusion with hunters accustomed to the approach developed over the previous five years, but will also standardized and simplify regulations that leads to reduced confusion while allowing the Department and the NRC to continue to offer maximum opportunities for deer harvest and potentially CWD management across the SLP. The Department will commit to increasing awareness to those areas that are at high risk of being impacted by CWD. In addition, it allows for continued management and surveillance as the current state of the science continues to develop related to CWD management. The Department continues to support an adaptive management strategy. The Department will need continued support from the hunters and the public related to CWD management. The Department will continue effective communications and customer service related to the regulatory changes.
Biological The Department has tested approximately 80,300 free-ranging deer for CWD since May of 2015. Chronic wasting disease has been found in a total of 185 free-ranging deer in Michigan. Of those 185 free-ranging deer, 152 have been found with CWD in Kent and Montcalm counties. With expanded surveillance efforts in most of the current 19 county CWD Management Zone, the Department has a much better understanding of the current distribution of CWD in Southwest Michigan where that surveillance has occurred. Standardizing the regulations across zone 3 not only simplifies regulations which should limit confusion amongst hunters, but it also helps position Michigan to define a response for potential additional discoveries in currently undetected counties.
Social There has been expressed support for the Department to continue CWD surveillance and management. The Department is committed to CWD surveillance, regardless of the definition of a Management Zone.
Economic The Department does not expect an economic impact.
Carcass Transportation
In August of 2018, the Department and the NRC approved intrastate carcass transportation restrictions for the Core CWD Area and the CWD Management Zone as a precautionary effort to reduce the transmission and geographic spread of CWD. Chronic wasting disease has been found in a total of 185 free-ranging deer in Michigan. Of those 185 free-ranging deer, 152 have been found with CWD in Kent and Montcalm counties. Since May of 2015, the Department has tested over 80,300 free-ranging deer for CWD. With the majority of CWD positive deer in Montcalm and Kent counties, the Department recommends only restricting deer carcass movement outside of Montcalm county, Northeast Kent county, and Northern Ionia County. To reduce confusion, simplify regulations, and reduce the spread of CWD, the Department recommends: • A harvested deer cannot be possessed or transported outside of Montcalm County in its entirety, Otisco, Orleans, Ronald, and North Plains Townships in Ionia County and Nelson, Spencer, Courtland, Oakfield, Grattan and Cannon Townships in Kent County unless: o It’s deboned meat, quarters or other parts of a cervid that do not have any part of the spinal column or head attached, antlers, antlers attached to a skull cap cleaned of all brain and muscle tissue, hides, upper canine, or finished taxidermy mount; or o The deer carcass is taken directly to a registered processor; and/ or
The intact deer head detached from carcass is taken directly to a licensed taxidermist.
Issues Pros and Cons The carcass movement regulation was first developed in 2018 using an abundance of caution and not having a clear understanding regarding the scope of CWD in Southwest Michigan. Since that time, after sampling over 80,000 deer in the state, the Department has a better understanding of the current distribution of CWD on the landscape in 19 counties where CWD has been under intensive surveillance. There has been a lot of confusion on the current carcass transportation regulations. The current regulations restrict carcass transportation outside of the Core CWD Area and the CWD Management Zone unless the hunter “presents” the head at a designated drop off location within 24 hours of harvest. The intent of the regulation is to give hunters the option to transport a full deer carcass to a processor, taxidermist, or their home without spoiling the meat while also providing the hunter to option to submit the head for CWD testing. In addition, the regulation is confusing for processors and taxidermists because they are not allowed to accept a deer carcass outside of these areas without proof of the hunter “presenting” the head at a designated drop off location. This regulation makes it difficult for Law Enforcement Officers to enforce and for hunters, processors, and taxidermist to comply.
Limiting carcass movement best aligns the restriction to where the disease is currently being identified across a widespread area. Restricting deer carcass movement outside of Montcalm county, northeast Kent county, and north Ionia county will simplify regulations and provide for more effective enforcement. In addition, this recommendation provides flexibility for hunters to choose to take the carcass directly to a processor, or the head directly to a taxidermist where disposal is likely to align with CWD Best Management Practices.
This recommendation may reduce confidence in disease management because additional areas in the state have been found with CWD, however restricting carcass transportation movement within Montcalm, Northeast Kent, and Northern Ionia county aligns better with known disease areas of highest risk. The existing CWD Management Zone and subsequent carcass movement restriction includes counties where CWD has not been detected or is not widespread where it has been identified. Furthermore, the size of the CWD Management Zone is large, and allows for long distance transport of deer within the zone with no restriction, limiting the impact of any potential ban.
Biological Though additional counties in the Core CWD Area and CWD Management Zone have been identified with CWD, the Department has also sampled over 40,000 deer in these areas during the past two years. Prevalence throughout much of the CWD Management Zone is at very low levels. The Department will continue to conduct surveillance and management in these areas locally where CWD positive deer have been found.
Hunter harvested deer carcasses are often moved across geographic barriers. Human-assisted movement of deer carcasses is an important route of transmission and geographic spread for CWD, as it may potentially spread the disease beyond what is expected to occur naturally. Though the primary cause of spread is likely due to improper burial of infectious carcass materials, rather than simply transporting that same material, restricting the movement of carcasses harvested within the area where majority of the CWD positive deer have been found is also a safeguard to keep infectious material contained to a small geographic area. Even with a carcass movement restriction, the expectation is for processors and taxidermist to dispose of the carcasses properly.
Social According to the 2018 CWD Survey, about 59% of hunters indicated that prohibiting the transport of intact deer carcasses outside CWD-infected areas was acceptable.
Restricting deer carcass movement from Montcalm and parts of Kent and Ionia counties will eliminate the current confusion on the regulations for hunters, processors, taxidermists, and Department staff. Department staff anticipate that there will be difficulty in enforcing this regulation and it will be a challenge to communicate.
Economic Processors and taxidermists may see a small economic benefit.
Extend the Urban Deer Management Zone for Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne Counties
In 2017, the NRC and Department established an Urban Deer Management Zone for Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne Counties that allowed for an extension of the archery season until January 31. The Urban Deer Management Zone and expansion of the archery season was approved for three years with a 2020 sunset clause. The Department is recommending extending the archery season in the Urban Deer Management Zone for one more year of evaluation with a 2021 sunset clause. This will allow for inclusion of 2019 data, as well as further discussion with staff and stakeholders leading into the next regulation package to be presented to the NRC.
The Department recommends one more year worth of data in order to see whether this hunt effectively helps reduce human-deer conflicts in these urbanized areas.
Issues Pros and Cons Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne are three of the most urbanized counties in Michigan and are experiencing human-deer conflicts at a high level of intensity. This includes high rates of deervehicle collisions and destruction of landscaping and natural areas on private and community owned properties. While the Department attempts to minimize deer-human conflicts by managing deer at appropriate levels through hunting, it is often difficult to recruit additional hunters to public areas within existing hunting seasons as many already have established hunting locations. Additionally, many public areas are designed for multi-use recreation, and the establishment of an active archery program in October and November often conflicts with the high volume of visitors experiencing other recreational pastimes in these urbanized areas during this time.
Biological
This season has provided an additive source of harvest to areas that are actively trying to reduce their deer population and limit deer conflicts.
In 2017, approximately 3,252 deer hunters participated in this hunt and approximately 530 deer were harvested. In 2018, approximately 2,895 deer hunters participated in this hunt and approximately 322 deer harvested.
Social Public hunting, either with selected or state licensed hunters is the most preferred, economical and practical method of removing deer, even in urban areas. Even if firearms cannot be used, or are not feasible, archery and crossbow hunting can typically be safely used to remove deer in urban areas. Economic Damage to agricultural and horticultural crops, suppressed forest regeneration, deer-vehicle collisions, and destruction of landscaping and other property by deer in urban and suburban areas can result in significant costs to the landowner or automobile owner. There are no added costs to the Department.
Administrative Changes:
There have been many administrative changes made throughout the order that provide consistency and clarification.
Relevant Divisions have contributed to the preparation of this order. This order was submitted for information on May 14, 2020 and action on June 11, 2020, at the Natural Resources Commission meeting. This item appeared on the Department’s April calendar and may be eligible for approval on July 16, 2020.
DANIEL EICHINGER DIRECTOR
SUBMITTED: April 20, 2020 RESUBMITTED: May 19, 2020 RESUBMITTED: June 18, 2020
MEMORANDUM TO THE NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
Subject: Deer Regulations Wildlife Conservation Order Amendment No. 6 of 2020
Authority:
The Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, authorizes the Director and the Commission to issue orders to manage wild animals in this state.
Discussion and Background:
The Natural Resources Commission (NRC) reviewed and discussed the proposed deer regulations during their June 11, 2020, regularly scheduled meeting. The NRC requested that the Department bring back a revised Wildlife Conservation Order (WCO) amendment that removes the hunter orange requirement on occupied ground blinds in sections 2.9 (7) and 2.10 (3). The Department has removed the recommendation from this memorandum and WCO amendment.
Deer regulations are on a three-year regulatory cycle and were set for 2017-2019. However, due to the finding of chronic wasting disease (CWD), the Department and the NRC made regulatory changes outside of the three-year cycle for CWD management in 2018 and 2019. In preparation for the 2020-2022 deer regulatory cycle, deer regulations, such as open/closed deer management units (DMUs), license quotas, antler point restrictions (APRs), season dates, disease, and other various regulations were reviewed or developed with internal staff, stakeholder groups, and the public earlier this year as part of the three-year regulatory cycle process. The Department’s recommendations, as explained in this memorandum, are intended to simplify and reduce confusing regulations, slow the spread of disease, and increase deer harvest opportunities for hunters.
The Department will continue to review deer regulations as data continues to show a decline in hunters and a decline in revenue from hunting license sales as the deer population continues to grow. The Department will also continue to review deer regulations for disease and population management goals.
Statewide Recommendations:
A P P R O V E D ______________________,20____ MICHIGAN NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION _____________________________ (ASSISTANT TO THE COMMISSION)
Deer Regulations Wildlife Conservation Order Amendment No. 6 of 2020 Page 2 June 18, 2020
Liberty and Independence Hunts The Accessibility Advisory Council (AAC) requested to add a qualification for the Liberty and Independence Hunts to include deaf individuals as defined by section 2 of 1937 PA 72, MCL 408.202. “Deaf person” means a person who is not able to process information aurally, with or without amplification, and whose primary means of communication is visual or by receiving spoken language through other sensory input, including, but not limited to, lipreading, sign language, finger spelling, or reading. The Department recommends this proposal at the request of the AAC. Allowing a relatively small number of additional hunters with disabilities to participate in these hunts will provide additional recreational opportunities and another weekend of public and private land hunting for these newly qualified individuals.
Issues Pros and Cons The AAC provides guidance to help the Department develop, manage and plan opportunities for those of all abilities to enjoy Michigan’s natural resources. The AAC also strives to educate citizens on the importance of accessibility and to involve citizens in the planning and development of facilities and programs that are accessible to all users.
These hunts give hunters with disabilities the opportunity to hunt deer on public or private land without competition from other hunters and allow Michigan’s deer resources to be more accessible to hunters with disabilities.
There may be some pushback from hunters who do not agree with these special hunts and allowing additional opportunities for a specific group of hunters.
Biological In 2018, approximately 474 deer were harvested during the Independence Hunt and approximately 10,062 deer were harvested during the Liberty Hunt, though it’s presumed most of this harvest in this season is by eligible youth hunters. The Department does not expect a biological impact.
Social Allowing a relatively small number of additional hunters with disabilities to participate in these hunts is unlikely to create any issues with current hunters.
The Independence Hunt has limited participation statewide; there were approximately 2,154 hunters in 2018. The Liberty Hunt (both hunters with disabilities and youth hunters) has higher participation statewide, with approximately 30,000 hunters participating in 2018; most of these hunters are believed to be youth hunters.
Economic The Department does not expect an economic impact.
APR Applicability for New and Young Hunters
Under current regulations, APRs do not apply to youth hunters licensed under the mentored youth hunting program and juniors (ages 10-16) hunting during the Liberty Hunt. During all other deer seasons, APRs are enforced for all junior hunters as well as all apprentice hunters. Apprentice hunters are typically new hunters who have not yet completed hunter’s safety but are interested in trying hunting, and therefore, purchase the apprentice license. In order to simplify communication, provide an increase in recreational opportunities and provide a way to introduce new hunters to Michigan’s rich outdoor heritage, the Department recommends removing APRs for all youth hunters (16 years of age and younger) and apprentice hunters. In addition, the Department recommends that these individuals be exempt from APRs during all deer seasons. This includes the four-point APR on the restricted tag of the deer combination license. The Department expects this change to simplify regulations and offer an opportunity for novice hunters.
Issues Pros and Cons Removing APRs for all youth hunters (16 years of age and younger) and apprentice hunters is another avenue to introduce new hunters to the sport of hunting. In addition, eliminating APRs on deer that may be harvested may help increase hunter success rates and satisfaction during all deer seasons. Expanding the APR exemption to all deer seasons for these individuals will simplify regulations and provide additional recreational opportunities.
Removing APRs for these individuals during all deer seasons may result in some social conflict.
Biological The Department does not expect a biological impact. Even if success rates increase, the Department does not anticipate the level of harvest to have a negative biological impact by impacting the age structure of male deer on the landscape.
Social This recommendation was supported by all but one member of the APR workgroup.
Economic The Department does not expect a significant increase or decrease in participation, and therefore, does not expect an economic impact.
Season Purchase Limits for Private Land Antlerless Deer Licenses
Current regulations allow hunters to purchase a season limit of up to 10 private land antlerless deer licenses in disease areas, including DMUs 452, 487, the Core CWD Area, and the CWD Management Zone. In the rest of the state, the season purchase limit is up to 5 private land antlerless deer licenses. In order to eliminate confusion and simplify regulations, the Department recommends a statewide season purchase limit of up to 10 private land antlerless deer licenses.
Issues Pros and Cons
Implementing a statewide season purchase limit of up to 10 private land antlerless deer licenses will create consistency and simplify regulations across the state. The Department expects this recommendation to impact a minimal number of hunters.
Some deer management units that have a season purchase limit of 5 private land antlerless deer licenses also have a very low private land antlerless quota. Increasing the season purchase limit from 5 to 10 private land antlerless licenses may result in the quota selling out faster, as hunters may purchase all 10 licenses, limiting the ability for other hunters to purchase licenses. This issue can potentially be addressed in future regulation cycles by increasing antlerless quotas, if necessary.
Biological The Department encourages additional harvest of antlerless deer, especially on private lands, in order to lower deer population levels in some areas. Given that the 2018 Deer Harvest Survey showed that only one percent of hunters purchase four or more antlerless licenses, the Department does not expect a biological impact.
Social There may be a perception that a purchase limit of 10 private land antlerless deer licenses will result in an overharvest of deer. However, data show that approximately 60 percent of hunters don’t purchase an antlerless license and approximately 30 percent purchase one.
Economic This recommendation may result in less staff time issuing DMAPS in those areas that currently have a season purchase limit of 5 private land antlerless deer licenses.
Baiting Exception for Hunters with Disabilities
The NRC approved regulations that grant a baiting exception for hunters with disabilities who meet specific requirements during the Liberty and Independence Hunts. In Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency, and Oscoda Counties, and within the UP Core CWD Surveillance Area, CWD Management Zone, and Core CWD Area, hunters with disabilities may bait provided they use not more than two gallons at a time of single-bite baits, which include shelled corn, nuts, beet pulp, deer feed or pellets, or wheat or other grain. Hunters with disabilities in all other areas can use any type bait during the Liberty and Independence Hunts (regular baiting restrictions apply). There is currently no evidence that shows changing the type of bait being used can mitigate risk in transmission of CWD and continuing a regulation that promotes that difference promotes an idea not yet determined by research. In order to reduce confusion, provide statewide consistency, and simplify regulations, the Department recommends removing the single bite bait regulation and allowing hunters with disabilities to use any legal type of bait during the Liberty and Independence Hunts provided that all other baiting regulations are followed.
Issues Pros and Cons
Even though granting a baiting exception during these two hunts for individuals with qualifying disabilities will offer a service to some of our constituents, baiting causes unnatural concentrations of deer and this activity increases the risk of disease infection and spread, and repeated use of baiting areas poses a long-term risk of disease transmission.
Biological The relationship between baiting, feeding, and CWD transmission is in the risks associated with congregating wildlife. While natural food sources also congregate wildlife, human activities such as baiting do so at rates above natural sources and therefore increase the risks of transmitting disease. That is, disease transmission due to human activities is additive—over and above transmission due to natural sources of congregation. The risks of congregating animals around bait are manifold: it increases the probability of direct contact between infected and noninfected animals, and it also increases the risk of contaminating the food source itself or the surrounding environment. There are no available data that indicates single-bite baits generate less additiverisk that other baits.
Social The Department does not have any data on the success rate for hunters with disabilities when hunting over bait vs. not hunting over bait. Allowing baiting to occur in known disease areas, even for hunters with disabilities is generally not consistent with sound disease management ideals.
Economic The Department does not expect an economic impact.
Upper Peninsula Recommendations:
Open/Closed DMUs and Antlerless Quotas
Since the harsh winters of 2013 and 2014 which had an impact on the Upper Peninsula (UP) deer herd, the Department has seen recovery in the deer herd as evidenced by increasing harvest and hunter success rates. In the southern UP, the Department is observing the highest densities of deer with the highest harvest levels anywhere on the Peninsula. In 2019, the Department recommended additional opportunities for hunters to manage the local deer herd, in addition to the detection of CWD and recovering deer numbers in that area. Compared to 2019 quotas, the proposed antlerless deer license quotas would result in an increase of 120 public land antlerless licenses and no change in the private land antlerless licenses in the UP.
For the 2020 deer hunting season, the Department recommends additional antlerless harvest opportunity on public land. This includes: • Increasing antlerless license quotas, as shown below, for public land licenses in each of the following DMUs: o Increasing antlerless licenses available in DMU 121 to 500 public land. o Increasing antlerless licenses available in DMU 122 to 300 public land. o Increasing antlerless licenses available in DMU 155 to 400 public land.
2019 UP Antlerless Deer License Quota
DMU Public Private Total 121 480 800 1,280, 122 240 1,000 1,240, 155 360 1,800 2,160 Totals 1,080 3,600 4,680
2020 UP Antlerless Deer License Quota Recommendation
DMU Public Private Total 121 500 800 1,300, 122 300 1,000 1,300, 155 400 1,800 2,200 Totals 1,200 3,600 4,800
,Biological The UP region varies significantly in capability of habitat to support deer, winter impacts on deer, predator populations, and other factors that influence deer numbers. Antlerless harvest was highly restricted in the UP during the 2014-16 regulation cycle due to a 3-year span of harsh winters. Only three DMUs were open to antlerless license issuance, and quotas were conservative. Deer numbers in the UP began to rebound by spring 2017 following two consecutive mild winters. In 2019, antlerless harvest opportunity was expanded to five DMUs, and antlerless license quotas were increased. A few units located in the south-central UP where deer numbers tend to be higher and winter conditions are far less severe were proposed to have an increase in private land antlerless licenses and additional public land open for antlerless hunting opportunities.
Social Units in which only one to two bucks are harvested per square mile tend to produce low deer sighting rates and hunter satisfaction, and antlerless harvest is generally highly restricted or unavailable in these areas. Deer management units in the south-central UP typically provide outstanding deer hunting with buck kills exceeding five per square mile. In these units, antlerless licenses may be issued to manage the population and to provide additional recreational opportunity.
Economic The number of deer harvested by farmers this past summer on deer damage shooting permits to protect their crops from damage in the south-central UP reached a 5-year high. Antlerless harvest opportunities will continue to be important in DMUs in the south-central UP to address agricultural crop damage and forest regeneration concerns.
Reinstate the Antlerless Option During Archery Deer Season for Hunters Hunting on the Deer License or Deer Combination License in the Entire UP
In 2015, the NRC approved regulations that eliminated the antlerless option during archery deer season for hunters hunting on a deer license or deer combination license in the entire UP in response to declining deer numbers. Then in 2019, the NRC approved regulations that reinstated the antlerless option during archery season for hunters hunting on the deer license or deer combination license in DMUs open to antlerless licenses. That included DMUs located in the south-central UP, where deer numbers tend to be higher and winter conditions are less severe. In order to provide additional antlerless harvest opportunities and provide consistency in regulations across the UP, the Department recommends reinstating the antlerless option during archery season for hunters hunting on the deer license or deer combination license in the entire UP.
Issues Pros and Cons Reinstating the antlerless option during archery season for hunters hunting on the deer license or deer combination license in the entire UP will provide hunters with more flexibility and opportunity to hunt across the UP. In addition, this will also provide for simplified and consistent regulations across the UP.
There may be some confusion regarding the option to take antlerless deer with a deer license or deer combination license; however, the Department will continue effective communications and customer service related to the regulatory changes.
Biological The UP region varies significantly in capability of habitat to support deer, with winter impacts on deer, predator populations, and other factors that influence deer numbers. The severe winters of 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 resulted in high snow depths and harsh winter conditions. These conditions left many areas of the UP with low deer numbers. Since that time, the deer herd has begun to grow due to conservative regulations and the relatively mild to average winter conditions over the last couple of years. Allowing antlerless harvest on a deer license or deer combination license during archery deer season will increase antlerless hunting opportunities and support continued management of the population.
In addition, prior to the removal of this regulation, it was estimated that less than 6,000 antlerless deer were estimated to have been harvested on average each year under this option across the entire UP. This equates to less than .4 deer per square mile. While this may have some localized population impacts, it will provide additional opportunity to hunters, especially those who are subsistence participants.
Social Providing the option to take an antlerless deer during archery season on a deer license or a deer combination license will provide additional recreational opportunity. Providing additional antlerless harvest in the UP may result in some social conflict.
Economic Antlerless harvest opportunities will continue to be important in DMUs to address agricultural crop damage and forest regeneration concerns.
Remove APRs on the Deer License in the Remainder of DMU 122
Current regulations in DMU 122 are split because the UP Core CWD Surveillance Area encompasses majority of the DMU, except for the northern portion. In the UP Core CWD Surveillance Area, there are no APRs on the deer license or deer combination license. In the rest of DMU 122, there is a 3-point APR on the deer license and deer combination regular license, and a 4-point APR on the deer combination restricted license. This causes confusion and enforcement issues for hunters and staff. In order to simplify and create consistent regulations, the Department recommends removing the APRs in the northern portion of DMU 122 on the deer license. This will align the deer license and deer combination license with the rest of the UP, except for the UP Core CWD Surveillance Area.
Issues Pros and Cons This change will provide consistent and simplified regulations. At first, this may result in some pushback by hunters who are already familiar with APRs in DMU 122, but the Department will provide clear communication to the hunting community.
Biological Removing the APRs is not likely to impact overall harvest. Changes to male age structure harvest would have been most affected last year when deer regulations were changed in the UP Core CWD Surveillance Area.
Social Removing the APRs in the northern portion of DMU 122 on the deer license will provide additional recreational opportunity that includes antlered deer less than three points per side.
Economic The Department does not expect an economic impact.
Lower Peninsula Recommendations:
Open/Closed DMUs and Antlerless Quotas
The Department recommends a change in public land antlerless deer license quotas and private land antlerless deer license quotas in the Lower Peninsula (LP). Compared to 2019 quotas, the proposed antlerless deer license quotas would result in an increase in both public and private
land antlerless licenses in the Northern Lower Peninsula (NLP) and the Southwest Lower Peninsula (SWLP). In the Southeast Lower Peninsula (SELP), no change is proposed for both public and private land antlerless licenses.
It is proposed that 46,300 public land antlerless licenses (up from 39,300 in 2019), and that a total of 129,100 private land antlerless licenses be available (up from 123,000 in 2019) in the NLP.
It is proposed that 18,150 public land antlerless licenses (up from 15,560 in 2019), and that a total of 66,000 private land antlerless licenses be available (up from 48,500 in 2019) in the SWLP. Because of the presence of CWD in many counties in the SWLP, private land quotas are not issued, which allows hunters to pursue antlerless deer without the risk of licenses being sold out.
It is proposed that 17,100 public land antlerless licenses be available (no change from 17,100 in 2019), and that a total of 146,000 private land antlerless licenses be available (no change from 146,000 in 2019) in the SELP.
Overall, these proposals would result in 9,590 more public land antlerless licenses and 23,600 more private land antlerless licenses available in the LP.
The proposed increases in the NLP and the SWLP, as well as the consistency in the SELP, reflect a recognition from Department staff that deer hunters are decreasing at a rate of two to four percent per year statewide and do not have the ability to manage deer populations at the level they once did. With this knowledge, Department staff would like to maximize hunter opportunity and success across the LP. Therefore, many areas are attempting to allow for quotas to meet hunter demand in each DMU.
Preliminary harvest estimates from the 2019 season were not yet available prior to submission of antlerless license quota proposals. However, to accompany 2020 regulations proposals, field staff has prepared narrative documents reporting and analyzing multiple-year trends in data and deer management issues in each DMU. These documents are available separately for review to the NRC and will be available to the public. Summaries of conditions by management region are provided below.
Northern Lower Peninsula Region
For several years prior and in the years following the harsh winter of 2013-2014, the northern LP experienced relatively mild winters and staff observed deer populations steadily increasing. All DMUs within the region are recommended to be open for antlerless licenses on both private and public land, with the exception of private land licenses for DMU 145 (North Manitou Island), as no private land is contained within that DMU.
Biological Winter is a major factor of deer populations in many areas of the NLP. The impacts of winter tend to lessen when moving north to south in the NLP. In addition, the deer numbers are driven more by resource availability. Over the last three years, the NLP has seen relatively mild winter
conditions. This has led to increases in deer numbers across majority of the region. For this reason, the NLP is proposing an increase in many DMUs on both public and private land.
Social Currently, there is a 3-point APR in 13 DMUs in the northwest LP. As part of these APRs, biologists are aiming to have at least a 1:1 harvest of bucks to does in order to achieve a more balanced buck to doe ratio in addition to keeping deer numbers low for impact management. Adequate antlerless quotas are necessary to achieve this goal, which may have a biological impact but has also been driven by hunter preference for implementing regulations to achieve a more satisfying deer hunting experience.
Economic Issues with agricultural crop damage can be highly variable in the NLP, even within given DMUs. Distinct private and public land antlerless quotas and the availability of early and late antlerless seasons on private land provide the opportunity to make tools available to private landowners experiencing damage as a result of concentrations of deer where their numbers are not excessive overall. Economic impacts also result from the presence of bovine tuberculosis in the eastern NLP, and disease eradication efforts require continued availability of antlerless licenses in these DMUs.
Southwest and Southeast Lower Peninsula Region
It is recommended that all DMUs in the southern LP be open for antlerless deer licenses. The sole exception is to leave DMU 025 (Genesee County) closed for public land antlerless deer licenses, as no public land is contained within that DMU.
Biological For approximately the past decade, deer population estimates and indices (including deer/vehicle collisions, crop damage complaints, and observations of deer by the hunting community and field staff) in the southern LP have stabilized. Department management efforts are intended to reduce deer densities throughout most of the region. The Department recommends more opportunities for hunters to manage the local deer herd, in addition to the detection of CWD and recovering deer numbers in the SWLP.
Social Based on previous drawing histories, most proposed private land antlerless quotas are expected to exceed hunter demand for the recreational opportunity offered through antlerless harvest. Economic Where local deer abundance continues to contribute to incidence of agricultural damage, additional antlerless harvest within DMUs otherwise constrained by antlerless quotas will be possible through field staff efforts to work with property owners to provide DMAPs. An increasing number of suburban communities in which hunting is still feasible have taken advantage of this opportunity, and the Department is working statewide to more efficiently address these needs that are often driven by community concerns regarding economic impacts from deer browsing and deer-vehicle collisions.
Allow Antlerless Deer to Be Taken on Deer License and Deer Combination License During Firearm and Muzzleloader Seasons in the Entire Lower Peninsula
Current regulations in the LP are confusing due to the lack of consistent regulations. During the archery deer season, a hunter choosing to harvest a deer on a deer license or deer combination license has the option of shooting an antlerless or antlered deer (APRs may apply). However, during the firearm and muzzleloader season, antlerless deer can only be taken in the CWD Management Zone and Bovine Tuberculosis (TB) Zone. In order to simplify and create consistent regulations across all seasons in the LP, the Department recommends allowing antlerless deer to be taken on the deer license or deer combination license during the firearm and muzzleloader season.
Issues Pros and Cons Allowing antlerless deer to be taken on a deer license or deer combination license during firearm and muzzleloader season in the entire LP will eliminate confusion and provide consistent regulations across the LP.
This change will provide consistency and some familiarity between the CWD Management Zone, TB Area, and the rest of the state. At first, this may result in some pushback by hunters who are already familiar with not taking antlerless deer during the firearm or muzzleloader seasons. However, this regulation is already implemented in the CWD Management Zone and TB Area, so providing this additional recreational opportunity will allow more flexibility for hunters hunting in various locations across the LP.
Biological This change first occurred in six counties in the northeast, known as DMU 487. The change was made in 2010. While this did not increase antlerless harvest in comparison to prior years, it was able to show a slower decrease in harvest levels in comparison to adjacent counites that did not have this regulation in place.
Deer Harvest Levels During Firearm Deer Season in DMU 487 and Adjacent Counites
Firearm Season DMU 487
Adjacent Counties Average Antlerless Harvest (2001 – 2009) 8,004.0 3919.1
Average Antlerless Harvest (2010 – 2018) 7,579.4 2747,.8 % Change -5.3% -29.9%
Average Antlered Harvest (2001 – 2009) 12,152.9 7,831.0 Average Antlered Harvest (2010 – 2018) 10,803.9 6,929.7 % Change -11.1% -11.5%
The percentage of change observed in antlerless harvest was 5.3% decrease in DMU 487, whereas over the same time frame, a 29.9% decrease was observed in antlerless harvest in the adjacent counties that do not have this regulation. Looking at antlered harvest, the decrease in harvest observed is nearly the same with an 11.1% decrease in DMU 487 and an 11.5% in the adjacent counties. While the Department cannot say that harvest will increase due to this regulation change, it can be inferred that this will help to slow the harvest loss that may be seen over time as Michigan loses more hunters.
Social Some hunters may not accept this regulation and may result in a perception of overharvest that this may reduce the deer population. Likewise, there will be hunters who support this regulation as it provides flexibility in their harvest options and may save them money by purchasing fewer licenses.
However, this is a population regulation in DMU 487 where it has been in place for ten years. While it did not greatly impact hunter behavior or decisions, hunters have voiced that they appreciate the options that accompany this regulation.
Economic This regulation may result in a decrease in antlerless license sales because of the opportunity to shoot an antlerless deer on the deer license or deer combination license. However, this may be offset by the number of hunters that choose to purchase a deer combination license rather than a single deer license.
Expansion of Early/Late Antlerless Firearm Deer Seasons
The Department is recommending expansion of areas open to both the early and late antlerless firearm seasons in the NLP. Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Lake, Missaukee, Kalkaska, Ogemaw, Otsego, Roscommon, and Wexford counties are recommended to be open for these seasons. The Department is also recommending expansion of areas open to the early antlerless firearm season in the SWLP. Allegan, Van Buren, Cass, Berrien, St. Joseph, Kalamazoo, and Branch counties are recommended to be open for the early antlerless season. Opening these counties to the early and late antlerless firearm season will open the entire LP for these seasons, except for the island DMUs 145, 245, 115, and 149. This will simplify and create consistent regulations across the LP.
Issues Pros and Cons The Department encourages additional harvest of antlerless deer, especially on private lands, in order to maintain or lower deer population levels in some areas.
Opening all counties in the LP for both the early and late antlerless season will provide additional opportunities to harvest antlerless deer and will support CWD management along a broader area. In addition, opening these areas will provide additional means of addressing the occurrence of deer damage within localized areas of these counties.
Biological In 2018, approximately 3 percent of the antlerless deer harvest occurred during the early antlerless firearm season and approximately 11 percent of the antlerless harvest occurred during the late antlerless firearm season.
Social Among 240,871 NLP hunters and 278,922 Southern Lower Peninsula (SLP) hunters, approximately 13,057 have participated in the early antlerless firearm season and approximately 57,973 in the late antlerless firearm season according to the 2018 Deer Harvest Survey Report. Participation is less in the early antlerless firearm season, however providing additional opportunities may increase participation efforts.
Economic This may result in an increase of antlerless deer licenses.
Deer License and Deer Combination License Valid for the Early/Late Antlerless Firearm Deer Seasons
The Department recommends that a valid deer license or deer combination license may be used on private lands to take an antlerless deer during the early and late antlerless firearm seasons. Currently, these licenses are only valid for the take of antlerless deer during these seasons on private lands in the Core CWD Area, CWD Management Zone, DMU 452, and DMU 487. This recommended change will simplify and create consistent regulations across the LP these seasons.
Issues Pros and Cons Expanding the use of the deer license and deer combination license during the early and late antlerless firearm deer season will provide additional recreational opportunities and will support continued TB and CWD management along a broader area.
Biological The Department does not expect a biological impact.
Social This regulation will provide additional opportunities for hunters who have been unsuccessful in taking a deer during other deer seasons.
Economic The Department does not expect an economic impact.
Muzzleloader and Late Antlerless Firearm Season Dates
Currently, muzzleloader season dates for zone 2 (NLP) and zone 3 (SLP) are different from one another, however the season dates for zone 1 (UP) and zone 2 (NLP) are the same. In order to create statewide consistency, the Department recommends aligning the SLP muzzleloader season dates with the UP and NLP. In addition, the Department recommends beginning the late antlerless firearm season the Monday after the muzzleloader season concludes. This will also create statewide consistency.
Issues Pros and Cons The muzzleloader season statewide starts the first Friday after the firearm season concludes, however in the UP and NLP the season lasts for 10 days and in the SLP, the season lasts 17 days. The late antlerless firearm season starts the day after the SLP muzzleloader season. Aligning the muzzleloader season dates across the state and starting the late antlerless firearm season the Monday after the muzzleloader season concludes simplifies and creates consistent regulations.
Aligning the muzzleloader seasons between the NLP and the SLP will shorten the current muzzleloader season in the SLP, however will expand late antlerless firearm season in all regions. This regulation will provide for additional recreational opportunity in the late antlerless firearm season and will allow for more flexibility for hunters.
Biological This regulation will focus on antlerless harvest efforts for a longer period. The Department does not expect a significant biological impact but does except the regulation to better align management goals of a balanced harvest between antlered and antlerless deer.
Social This regulation will provide more opportunity for private land antlerless harvest in both the NLP and SLP; however, it may provide less opportunity for public land muzzleloader hunters in the SLP. Additionally, this will be a loss of seven days of opportunity in the SLP to pursue antlered deer. There may be a perception that this may increase antlerless harvest dramatically, resulting in deer populations too low for hunters to be satisfied.
Economic The Department does not expect an economic impact.
Open Muzzleloader Season to All Firearms in Zone 3
Current regulations allow the use of firearms during the muzzleloader season in the CWD Management Zone. To expand hunting opportunities in the existing muzzleloader season, the Department recommends opening opportunities to more hunters in the muzzleloader season in zone 3 (including the full counties of Oceana, Newaygo, Mecosta, Isabella, Midland, and Bay counties) by allowing firearms. All firearms that are legal during the firearms season for that respective zone will be legal during the muzzleloader season. This will simplify and allow for consistent regulations across the zone 3.
Issues Pros and Cons
Expanding the opportunity to allow firearms during muzzleloader season across all of zone 3 (including the full counties in which the zone 3 lines runs through) will increase participation and provide more opportunities for hunters. In addition, it simplifies and creates consistent regulations across most of the region. This will also provide for better enforcement.
Muzzleloader season maintains a small, yet vocal following and losing the exclusivity of that season would likely upset that segment of hunters greatly.
Biological Though it was only one year of data, for the 19 counties that had this option in 2018, a total of 10,081 deer were taken, representing an increase from 2017 where 8,146 deer were taken during the muzzleloader season. An increase of just under 1,000 hunters was observed during this season in 2018. When compared with adjacent counties (Oceana, Allegan, Kalamazoo, Branch, Monroe, Washtenaw, Livingston, Genesee, Saginaw, and Bay), this represented a different trend, where harvest decreased in 2018 to 3,256, down from 4,278 during this season. A decline in hunter participation was also observed in these counties during this season. These differences require further vetting as many other changes occurred in these counties during this time, but the initial response seemed to align with management direction.
Social Hunters who prefer the tradition of an exclusive muzzleloader season will be opposed to this change. Hunters who desire more opportunity or are limited to only owning one shotgun or rifle will be afforded more opportunities to participate in an additional firearms season.
Economic The Department does not expect an economic impact.
Resume 4-point APR on Restricted Tag of Deer Combination License in CWD Management Zone (Not Including Newaygo and Kent Counties)
Since the identification of CWD in 2015, the Department removed the 4-point APR from the restricted tag of the deer combination license. Though the DMUs for the CWD areas have changed each year, making between year comparisons is challenging, the Department has not had any evidence that removing APRs from the restricted tag of the deer combination license has changed either the yearling buck harvest percentage or increased the harvest of total antlered deer. The Department recommends resuming the 4-point APR on the restricted tag of the deer combination license in the CWD Management Zone. This recommendation does not include Newaygo and Kent counties since they are the control area of the APR Field Study.
Issues Pros and Cons This change will provide consistency and familiarity between the CWD Management Zone and the rest of Zone 3. At first, this may result in some pushback by hunters who are already familiar with no APRs in the Core CWD Areas, but the Department will provide clear communication to the hunting community.
Biological Resuming the 4-point APR on the restricted tag of the deer combination license is not likely to impact overall harvest.
Social There are some who are likely to be opposed to this regulation, believing that any deer within a Core CWD Area should be able to be harvested on a deer or deer combination license. Likewise, there are others who will desire additional APRs on the deer license or deer combination license. The information to date does not support the addition of APRs to all tags within a Core CWD Area for managing CWD. Additionally, there has seemingly been no impact on antlered harvest with the removal of the restricted tag on the deer combination license in the previous three years but adding back the original APR will create continuity and consistency for hunters.
Economic The Department does not expect an economic impact.
CWD Management Zone and Zone 3 Regulatory Alignment
The CWD Management Zone was created according to the Michigan’s Surveillance and Response Plan for Chronic Wasting Disease of Free-Ranging and Privately-Owned Cervids (Plan). One of the control measures outlined in the Plan is to establish a CWD Management Zone that includes, at a minimum, any county with a boundary that is intersected by a 10-mile radius around each of the documented cases where the infected animals were located. In addition, the Plan states that if results of a local population survey or credible scientific evidence suggests that cervids from within the radius are likely to move beyond these Management Zone boundaries, those boundaries should be expanded. In 2018, the Department created a 16-county CWD Management Zone and added additional counties in 2019. Since May of 2015, the Department has tested over 80,300 free-ranging deer for CWD and has a much better understanding of the distribution of CWD in SW Michigan because of these efforts. The Department recommends aligning the regulations in the CWD Management Zone with the proposed regulations throughout zone 3. It is recommended that there be no difference in regulations between counties in the CWD Management Zone and counties outside the CWD Management Zone.
Issues Pros and Cons Aligning the regulations in the CWD Management Zone with the rest of zone 3 will certainly provide confusion with hunters accustomed to the approach developed over the previous five years, but will also standardized and simplify regulations that leads to reduced confusion while allowing the Department and the NRC to continue to offer maximum opportunities for deer harvest and potentially CWD management across the SLP. The Department will commit to increasing awareness to those areas that are at high risk of being impacted by CWD. In addition, it allows for continued management and surveillance as the current state of the science continues to develop related to CWD management. The Department continues to support an adaptive management strategy. The Department will need continued support from the hunters and the public related to CWD management. The Department will continue effective communications and customer service related to the regulatory changes.
Biological The Department has tested approximately 80,300 free-ranging deer for CWD since May of 2015. Chronic wasting disease has been found in a total of 185 free-ranging deer in Michigan. Of those 185 free-ranging deer, 152 have been found with CWD in Kent and Montcalm counties. With expanded surveillance efforts in most of the current 19 county CWD Management Zone, the Department has a much better understanding of the current distribution of CWD in Southwest Michigan where that surveillance has occurred. Standardizing the regulations across zone 3 not only simplifies regulations which should limit confusion amongst hunters, but it also helps position Michigan to define a response for potential additional discoveries in currently undetected counties.
Social There has been expressed support for the Department to continue CWD surveillance and management. The Department is committed to CWD surveillance, regardless of the definition of a Management Zone.
Economic The Department does not expect an economic impact.
Carcass Transportation
In August of 2018, the Department and the NRC approved intrastate carcass transportation restrictions for the Core CWD Area and the CWD Management Zone as a precautionary effort to reduce the transmission and geographic spread of CWD. Chronic wasting disease has been found in a total of 185 free-ranging deer in Michigan. Of those 185 free-ranging deer, 152 have been found with CWD in Kent and Montcalm counties. Since May of 2015, the Department has tested over 80,300 free-ranging deer for CWD. With the majority of CWD positive deer in Montcalm and Kent counties, the Department recommends only restricting deer carcass movement outside of Montcalm county, Northeast Kent county, and Northern Ionia County. To reduce confusion, simplify regulations, and reduce the spread of CWD, the Department recommends: • A harvested deer cannot be possessed or transported outside of Montcalm County in its entirety, Otisco, Orleans, Ronald, and North Plains Townships in Ionia County and Nelson, Spencer, Courtland, Oakfield, Grattan and Cannon Townships in Kent County unless: o It’s deboned meat, quarters or other parts of a cervid that do not have any part of the spinal column or head attached, antlers, antlers attached to a skull cap cleaned of all brain and muscle tissue, hides, upper canine, or finished taxidermy mount; or o The deer carcass is taken directly to a registered processor; and/ or
The intact deer head detached from carcass is taken directly to a licensed taxidermist.
Issues Pros and Cons The carcass movement regulation was first developed in 2018 using an abundance of caution and not having a clear understanding regarding the scope of CWD in Southwest Michigan. Since that time, after sampling over 80,000 deer in the state, the Department has a better understanding of the current distribution of CWD on the landscape in 19 counties where CWD has been under intensive surveillance. There has been a lot of confusion on the current carcass transportation regulations. The current regulations restrict carcass transportation outside of the Core CWD Area and the CWD Management Zone unless the hunter “presents” the head at a designated drop off location within 24 hours of harvest. The intent of the regulation is to give hunters the option to transport a full deer carcass to a processor, taxidermist, or their home without spoiling the meat while also providing the hunter to option to submit the head for CWD testing. In addition, the regulation is confusing for processors and taxidermists because they are not allowed to accept a deer carcass outside of these areas without proof of the hunter “presenting” the head at a designated drop off location. This regulation makes it difficult for Law Enforcement Officers to enforce and for hunters, processors, and taxidermist to comply.
Limiting carcass movement best aligns the restriction to where the disease is currently being identified across a widespread area. Restricting deer carcass movement outside of Montcalm county, northeast Kent county, and north Ionia county will simplify regulations and provide for more effective enforcement. In addition, this recommendation provides flexibility for hunters to choose to take the carcass directly to a processor, or the head directly to a taxidermist where disposal is likely to align with CWD Best Management Practices.
This recommendation may reduce confidence in disease management because additional areas in the state have been found with CWD, however restricting carcass transportation movement within Montcalm, Northeast Kent, and Northern Ionia county aligns better with known disease areas of highest risk. The existing CWD Management Zone and subsequent carcass movement restriction includes counties where CWD has not been detected or is not widespread where it has been identified. Furthermore, the size of the CWD Management Zone is large, and allows for long distance transport of deer within the zone with no restriction, limiting the impact of any potential ban.
Biological Though additional counties in the Core CWD Area and CWD Management Zone have been identified with CWD, the Department has also sampled over 40,000 deer in these areas during the past two years. Prevalence throughout much of the CWD Management Zone is at very low levels. The Department will continue to conduct surveillance and management in these areas locally where CWD positive deer have been found.
Hunter harvested deer carcasses are often moved across geographic barriers. Human-assisted movement of deer carcasses is an important route of transmission and geographic spread for CWD, as it may potentially spread the disease beyond what is expected to occur naturally. Though the primary cause of spread is likely due to improper burial of infectious carcass materials, rather than simply transporting that same material, restricting the movement of carcasses harvested within the area where majority of the CWD positive deer have been found is also a safeguard to keep infectious material contained to a small geographic area. Even with a carcass movement restriction, the expectation is for processors and taxidermist to dispose of the carcasses properly.
Social According to the 2018 CWD Survey, about 59% of hunters indicated that prohibiting the transport of intact deer carcasses outside CWD-infected areas was acceptable.
Restricting deer carcass movement from Montcalm and parts of Kent and Ionia counties will eliminate the current confusion on the regulations for hunters, processors, taxidermists, and Department staff. Department staff anticipate that there will be difficulty in enforcing this regulation and it will be a challenge to communicate.
Economic Processors and taxidermists may see a small economic benefit.
Extend the Urban Deer Management Zone for Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne Counties
In 2017, the NRC and Department established an Urban Deer Management Zone for Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne Counties that allowed for an extension of the archery season until January 31. The Urban Deer Management Zone and expansion of the archery season was approved for three years with a 2020 sunset clause. The Department is recommending extending the archery season in the Urban Deer Management Zone for one more year of evaluation with a 2021 sunset clause. This will allow for inclusion of 2019 data, as well as further discussion with staff and stakeholders leading into the next regulation package to be presented to the NRC.
The Department recommends one more year worth of data in order to see whether this hunt effectively helps reduce human-deer conflicts in these urbanized areas.
Issues Pros and Cons Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne are three of the most urbanized counties in Michigan and are experiencing human-deer conflicts at a high level of intensity. This includes high rates of deervehicle collisions and destruction of landscaping and natural areas on private and community owned properties. While the Department attempts to minimize deer-human conflicts by managing deer at appropriate levels through hunting, it is often difficult to recruit additional hunters to public areas within existing hunting seasons as many already have established hunting locations. Additionally, many public areas are designed for multi-use recreation, and the establishment of an active archery program in October and November often conflicts with the high volume of visitors experiencing other recreational pastimes in these urbanized areas during this time.
Biological
This season has provided an additive source of harvest to areas that are actively trying to reduce their deer population and limit deer conflicts.
In 2017, approximately 3,252 deer hunters participated in this hunt and approximately 530 deer were harvested. In 2018, approximately 2,895 deer hunters participated in this hunt and approximately 322 deer harvested.
Social Public hunting, either with selected or state licensed hunters is the most preferred, economical and practical method of removing deer, even in urban areas. Even if firearms cannot be used, or are not feasible, archery and crossbow hunting can typically be safely used to remove deer in urban areas. Economic Damage to agricultural and horticultural crops, suppressed forest regeneration, deer-vehicle collisions, and destruction of landscaping and other property by deer in urban and suburban areas can result in significant costs to the landowner or automobile owner. There are no added costs to the Department.
Administrative Changes:
There have been many administrative changes made throughout the order that provide consistency and clarification.
Relevant Divisions have contributed to the preparation of this order. This order was submitted for information on May 14, 2020 and action on June 11, 2020, at the Natural Resources Commission meeting. This item appeared on the Department’s April calendar and may be eligible for approval on July 16, 2020.