Why was the deer season extended in Michigan and why can you use rifles during muzzleloader season?

Before Covid hit it was decided to do this because, not enough deer were being taken in the lower part of the state. However, I think we are going to see record numbers of hunters over the next 4 days during the thanksgiving break


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Guess I am lost cwd we have had such an extended season for years, first it was extended black powder, than the added any weapon.
I do miss the old days of just a bow in hand and no one out during Christmas week.

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The NRC did because people aren't killing enough deer! The deer heard is to big overall and with the number of hunters and kill% the heard has been increasing they want it to go down.

 

It always felt really odd as a kid switching from a rifle to a bow on December 1st. I knew my chances were greatly limited from all the pressure on the herd during rifle season. From seeing deer almost daily up until November 14, to a frozen, polar landscape come December 1st with deer being nocturnal.

 

I guess it all.depends on what part of the state u are hunting. Zone 3 I believe is the only one able to use all weapons. Still muzzleloader only in the other zones of northern lower and U.P.

 

Muzzleloader has actually been shortened in zone 3.

 

Was 14 now 9 days

 

I think it is a real kick in the shorts to M L hunters, to make this a free for all season.. in Pennsylvania they have a flintlock only season. M L should have not been changed

 

DNR has gone nuclear ...killum ...killum all .

 

You can thank the car insurance companys for this, they are putting pressure on to reduce the herd so they dont have to pay out as many claims.