Updated Deer regulations approved for 2023-2025 hunting seasons

[MCPO_SOCM_RET]

June 13, 2023
Deer regulations approved for 2023-2025 hunting seasons

At last week’s meeting of the Michigan Natural Resources Commission in Roscommon, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the commission approved the regularly scheduled three-year duration of deer regulations, which will be in effect for the 2023, 2024 and 2025 hunting seasons.

DNR deer program experts say that while many of the traditional regulations remain unchanged, there are several important updates aimed at enhancing deer hunting opportunities for Michigan deer hunters this year and beyond.

“There are many challenges facing deer hunting in Michigan and across much of the Midwest in the coming years,” said Chad Stewart, the DNR’s deer, elk and moose management specialist. “While the approved regulations for the 2023-2025 deer seasons are geared toward increasing opportunities for a declining hunter base, we recognize that we’ll have to continue to evaluate all possible options to sustainably manage Michigan’s deer herd in the future.”

[Some] Updated regulations include:

Restricted tag of the deer combo license. The four-point antler point restriction on the restricted tag of the deer combo license has been reinstated in 19 Lower Peninsula counties: Barry, Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, Jackson, Kent, Lenawee, Mecosta, Midland, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Ottawa and Shiawassee. Under the updated regulation, all deer combo licenses in southern Lower Peninsula counties will now have an unrestricted regular tag and a four-point restricted tag.

Liberty Hunt. Hunters participating in the Liberty Hunt, a firearm deer hunt on private or public land for youth and hunters with disabilities, will now be allowed to harvest more than one deer. While the limit for bucks remains at one, hunters can pursue multiple antlerless deer. It is important to note that a separate license will be required for each deer harvested during this hunt.

U.P. CWD Surveillance Zone. The Upper Peninsula Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance Zone (including parts of Delta, ****inson and Menominee counties) has been removed. As a result, hunters in this area can resume baiting and feeding practices. The hunter's choice antler point regulations, which include an unrestricted tag for the deer license and point restrictions for the regular/restricted tag of the deer combo license, have been reinstated. The restrictions on the deer combo license are three points on a side for the regular tag and four points on a side for the restricted tag.
Late archery season and crossbows. The proposal to allow crossbows in the late archery season in the Upper Peninsula was rejected. That means hunters are still prohibited from using crossbows during the late archery season in the Upper Peninsula. This includes hunters in the previous CWD Surveillance Zone where crossbow use in the late archery season had previously been allowed.

Antlerless harvest in northern DMUs. The proposal to reinstate antlerless harvest opportunities in several northern deer management units (007, 031, 042, 048, 066, 127 and 131) using archery equipment was rejected. Antlerless harvest remains largely prohibited in those units, with exceptions only for qualified individuals during the Liberty Hunt and through Deer Management Assistance Permits, where authorized.

The DNR remains committed to ensuring sustainable and scientifically sound management of the state's deer population. For more on deer management, hunting opportunities and other resources, visit Michigan.gov/Deer.

Full summaries of approved deer regulations will be available closer to hunting season openers.


https://content.govdelivery.com/acco...letins/35fca37

[balrog006]

And these changes do what exactly to encourage more new hunters or stem the hemorrhaging of existing ones away from traditional whitetail hunting in Michigan?!?!? Too little, too late-as usual the NRC and the DNR are a day late and a dollar short in addition to being out of touch with the ‘every hunter’ out there.

[MCPO_SOCM_RET]

I wasn't sure where to post this, I know there was a thread about the harvest reporting but "search" isn't being cooperative...and it pertains to this year's season I parked it here.

It is about a month old...but, wasn't on my radar until talking with the local-ish DNR service center about my upcoming hunter safety course and confirming the LT and CO would still be coming...

New law lessens penalty for failing to report deer harvest in Michigan
https://www.uppermichiganssource.com...vest-michigan/

Published: Jul. 11, 2023 at 9:00 PM EDT
MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) - Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a Senate bill into law Tuesday that reduces the penalty for failing to report a deer harvest.

Last year the Michigan DNR began requiring hunters to report their deer harvest online within 72 hours. The initial fine for failing to report was up to $500 plus a misdemeanor resulting in up to 90 days in jail.

...

Under the new law, the penalty for failing to report your harvest is a one-time fine of $150. The DNR system of reporting a deer harvest can be done online or on the phone using the DNR app.

The law referenced is SB 0052 '23 which falls under the NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT, Act 451 of 1994 and modifies MCL 324.40118

[balrog006]

I wasn't sure where to post this, I know there was a thread about the harvest reporting but "search" isn't being cooperative...and it pertains to this year's season I parked it here.

It is about a month old...but, wasn't on my radar until talking with the local-ish DNR service center about my upcoming hunter safety course and confirming the LT and CO would still be coming...

New law lessens penalty for failing to report deer harvest in Michigan
https://www.uppermichiganssource.com...vest-michigan/

The law referenced is SB 0052 '23 which falls under the NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT, Act 451 of 1994 and modifies MCL 324.40118

This is positive, a small step in the right direction, not all that should be done, but it’s something at least…

Thanks for posting, I hadn’t seen or heard this.

[Leader]

I wasn't sure where to post this, I know there was a thread about the harvest reporting but "search" isn't being cooperative...and it pertains to this year's season I parked it here.

It is about a month old...but, wasn't on my radar until talking with the local-ish DNR service center about my upcoming hunter safety course and confirming the LT and CO would still be coming...

New law lessens penalty for failing to report deer harvest in Michigan
https://www.uppermichiganssource.com...vest-michigan/

The law referenced is SB 0052 '23 which falls under the NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT, Act 451 of 1994 and modifies MCL 324.40118

Gee...

It's hard to conceal the surprise I have at the lack of coverage of this new law.....

[balrog006]

Gee...

It's hard to conceal the surprise I have at the lack of coverage of this new law.....

Wretch vetoed the last try at this, curious as to why she signed this one-what else was written in along with it that she wanted passed?

[MCPO_SOCM_RET]

The 2023 Hunting Digest is finally out - online only right now.

https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/-/media...ing_digest.pdf

Who knows when you'll see a print copy.

[tvhero]

The 2023 Hunting Digest is finally out - online only right now.

https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/-/media...ing_digest.pdf

Who knows when you'll see a print copy.

Has anyone seen an actual print copy yet this year? Every place I've checked around me hasn't gotten any in and they aren't sure if they're going to get any at all.

[JWJR]

I don't have Internet , cell service or running water at deer camp

[MCPO_SOCM_RET]

Has anyone seen an actual print copy yet this year? Every place I've checked around me hasn't gotten any in and they aren't sure if they're going to get any at all.

During my last hunter safety course (recent), the LT and the other CO brought printed out copies for the attendees.
These gentlemen are the ones that provided the initial info on SB 0052, and also remarked that there may be regulation changes made before or shortly after the regular bow season, but most likely before the November firearms opener.
The print order was not placed at the time of the class (the big one that would land these booklets on all the counters you're used to seeing them at).