Hunting c ontinues to provide exceptional opportunities for many species throughout the State. If weather permits, the 2000 deer harvest is expected to exceed 500,000 deer, or about the size of our entire deer herd of 1970. There will be more than 11 million days of deer hunting recreation during archery, firearm, and muzzleloading seasons combined. This is more deer hunting than is provided in any other state or Canadian province. The expected antlerless harvest of 261,000 is lower than the 1999 antlerless harvest of 279,000.
Many deer hunters participate in more than one season.
About 781,000 different individuals are expected to hunt deer in 2000. Biologists estimate the fall 2000 deer population to be approximately 5 percent less than in 1999. Statewide, hunters can expect to see more fawns and fewer antlered bucks than last year. Our goal is to maintain a quality herd that is in balance with its habitat to yield healthy bucks. Deer in the UP experienced a moderate winter.