Deer hunting outlook

The 2013 deer season is expected to be a successful one for many hunters in Michigan. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says some areas in the state may see lower numbers of deer following severe winter weather, which included heavy snowfall and a late thaw. Those are mostly in the Upper Peninsula while the affects in the Northern Lower Peninsula appear to be minimal. In the Upper Peninsula, hunters should expect to see fewer deer, especially fawns and yearlings but still a decent number of 2 and 3 year old bucks this fall. The deer population for the Northern Lower Peninsula is expected to be higher than last year. Southern Lower Michigan has the overall highest deer densities in the state, although the number has been stable to decreasing over the last 5 to 10 years. The DNR says the deadly insect-spread Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease will continue to threaten deer in the Southern Lower Peninsula. However, very few EHD outbreaks were reported this summer with only Muskegon County having a confirmed outbreak.  (MRN)