2007 - DEER MANAGEMENT
Issued April 14, 1994

Commission Policy No. 2111 Dated:  January 1, 1977

Wildlife

DEER MANAGEMENT

Deer in Michigan have been significantly effected by the settlement of people in the state.  This effect can be seen by studying the deer population changes over time.  The deer herd was stable in southern Michigan when settlers arrived in the 1850's, and increased shortly after that due to the source of food supplies by new farms.  However, with deforestation and the high demand for deer hides and meat, the population decreased rapidly and virtually became nonexistent.  While the deer population decreased in southern Michigan, it increased in northern Michigan.  This increase was due to a greater food supply being available because of logging.  However, the pressures that decreased the southern Michigan deer population also did so in northern Michigan.  By the turn of the century, there may have been only 50,000 deer remaining in Michigan.

With the sudden decrease in the deer herd, Michigan enacted regulations requiring deer bag limits and licenses.  Forest fire control programs were also used to help manage deer habitat.  By 1950, the northern deer population reached a point where the habitat could not support the population, and approximately 50,000 deer were lost to starvation in winters.  By 1972, the population had rebounded to 85,000 deer in southern Michigan.  Public awareness, management, and compliance with game laws contributed to deer population increases.

Since the 1950's, management practices and an increased ecological awareness of how the deer population is influenced by environmental changes have required use of sound management practices to maintain a stable, healthy deer herd.  The deer herd in Michigan is an important natural resource.  It is in the public's interest to maintain it at a level that provides quality recreation, yet does not result in unacceptable ecological damage.

The Department's goal is to manage the deer herd using management practices based on scientific research to:

1.         Maintain healthy animals and keep the deer population within limits dictated by the carrying capacity of the range and by its effect on native plant communities, agricultural, horticultural, and silvicultural crops and public safety.

2.         Maintain an active public information program designed to acquaint the public with the methods of deer management and the conditions needed to maintain a healthy, vigorous herd.

The Department shall develop procedures to implement this policy.

Natural Resources Commission Policy Numbers 2113, 2114 and 2119 are hereby rescinded.