Firearm Deer Season Starts Friday

Firearm deer season in Michigan opens Friday. Chronic wasting disease has been a major concern among deer in the state. Chad Stewart of the Department of Natural Resources says so far its been identified in nine counties, all of which are in southwestern Michigan with the exception of Dickinson County in the U.P. They don’t have great concern with its impact on the deer population this year, however…

“Over the next 20, 30 year time frame, this is a disease that could potentially have population-level impacts locally if not much broader,” cautions Stewart. “Our main concern this year is again, trying to do surveillance for where the disease is and trying to get a handle on that.”

The deer hunting season goes through November 30.