With increasing deer populations across the state, deer hunting season could turn out to be a success for hunters.
Deer Biologist for the Michigan DNR Chad Stewart said the animals are doing well in both the upper and northern lower peninsula.
“We’re expecting really good numbers and hopefully hunter participation to go along with that," Stewart said. "All in all, we’re looking at similar if not a little bit better than last year, which was up from previous years.
He said Michigan has seen a downward trend in the number of hunters over the last 20 years.
"We typically see anywhere between two and four percent of our deer hunters leaving every year. Over time, we have lost over 300,000 deer hunters in the state of Michigan."
Although numbers of hunters have been downward trending, Stewart is hopeful this year.
“I think people are reconnecting with the outdoors a little bit more based on the COVID situation and the restricted movement that we had earlier in the spring. Hopefully that spills over into deer hunting season.”
Stewart said the future of Michigan deer hunting appears "rosy" for those who participate.
Deer hunting opens up with archery season on October 1.