Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources says current regulations for deer management are not working, and it’s asking residents for ideas.
Last week, the DNR opened applications for its Deer Management Initiative. The group will brainstorm better ways to solve deer problems throughout the state.
Chad Stewart is the DNR’s deer, elk, and moose management specialist. He’ll help lead the project.
“We haven't been able to reduce our deer herd in the places where we have a lot of deer. And we haven't been able to grow our deer herd in the places that we know that they're very low in places like the Upper Peninsula,” said Stewart.
He says deer overpopulation in the Lower Peninsula can lead to car accidents, forest damage, agricultural loss and damage to homeowners' gardens. There's also an increased risk for the spread of diseases like bovine tuberculosis and chronic wasting disease.
In the Upper Peninsula, a steadily declining deer population is hurting hunting.
Stewart says DNR deer regulations from the past several years are failing to address these issues, and solutions could come from anybody in Michigan.
“We’re looking for anybody that has a good idea in terms of how deer can or should be managed … and a willingness to work within a group of people with different opinions,” Stewart said.
He says residents from anywhere in Michigan — rural, urban, hunters and non-hunters — are encouraged to apply to the initiative by January 31.
Those selected will be notified shortly after applications close. The groups will meet virtually and in-person throughout the winter to offer a final report in May.
“It's not just the deer hunter side, but it's also the forest management side," Stewart said. "It's the agricultural side. It's the urban side. There's a wildlife health side. We want all of those perspectives included at the group discussions.”
