DNR Deer Kill numbers

[budmandev]

Has anyone read the latest deer kill numbers from the DNR? Eric Sharp had an article in the Free Press in early December about Farm Bureau and the DNR. Basically, regarding the deer herd, what I read is that the deer herd is 10-20 percent above the targeted population. Yet this year there were 10% more hunters, excellent deer hunting weather and the deer kill was down 15% and did not meet the DNR's expectations. That doesn't seem logical to me. I was just wondering what everyone else thought/observed. Are the DNR deer numbers accurate? One other note, I don't believe the DNR deer numbers. I'm a successful hunter, not a trophy hunter. I kill at least one buck every year with my bow (usually 2). But a representative from the DNR told an audience at a Whitetails Forever meeting that there were approximately 42 deer per square mile in Shiawassee county. That's where I hunt most often and I hunt 3-5 days a week throughout the season. I don't see that many deer. My uncle farms close to 300 acres, he's a hunter, he doesn't see that many deer on his tractor. What gives?

[One Eye]

WOW, better get the flame proof shorts on for this one :eek:

There are many here that don't believe the current statistics (both population and kill), myself included. Be careful though, as the true DNR sheeple will come out in force here shortly to defend their exhaustive scientific evaulations!

Dan

[east bay ed]

i have not figured out why the dnr feels the need to balloon the deer number. most hunters i know are still going to buy a license. i guess everyone wants to think they are doing their job right.
even the biologist at the dnr. n.e. mi. has about 6 deer left i think.
a friend of mine wants to kill the last doe in alcona county. i think he will have to wait another year. i don't care what the dnr thinks if a hunter has hunted all his adult life they can tell that deer numbers are very low . a friend who works for the dnr hopes the new change in lansing will bring some changes, i'm not so optimistic.
a guy i know has not bought a mi. deer license in 6 yrs to protest the dnr.

[jimmyboy]

Ed- those 2 does & 4 fawns are on my property and NO ONE is going to kill them w/o taking me out 1st!

[marty]

Dat's my bran nuw hunten spot. Da guy ain't dere so it;s great. Tanks fur dat dere repurt. Be dere in da murnin......marty:D :eek: :confused: :p ;)

[Robert ,E]

I hunt in lake county and i can say all the deer are gone in this
county . because of what the DNR
is doing with all those doe permits. ????
I have hunted there for 29 years ,I saw 14 deer all of the first week of rifel season
Very few tracks crossing all the trails .
As did all 4 of my hunting buddys.
At this rate there won't be deer hunting in MICHIGAN in 5 years:confused:

[Ibow]

For those of you hunting in Lake County this past year, would you mind firing me off an e-mail?

I have been hunting public lands in Lake Co for over 30 years and have been writing to the biologists, the NW Manangement Unit Supervisor and also Rodney Clute the new Big Game Specialist in Lansing.

Please send me an e-mail and I will send you some names, e-mail addresses and a couple copies of letters I have written. I believe if we put enough heat on them, things will change but it is going to take a LOT of pressure.

What has happened on public lands in Lake Co is a travesty and it does not have to be this way.

Send me an e-mail and I'd be glad to help you out.

Chuck

Ibow55@chartermi.net