The hunt halfway - Woodsmen, women see some success at season’s midpoint

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MARQUETTE - At the mid-point of this year's firearm deer season, the harvest appears to be down from last year.

Before the season began Nov. 15, Michigan Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologists had predicted a drop in the deer kill this fall based on rough winter weather over the past couple of years.

At the DNR check station in Marquette, the number of deer checked was 236, as of Sunday. That figure was down from 273 at the same time last year, according to Brian Roell, a DNR wildlife biologist manning the check station in Marquette.

In some areas, the unseasonably warm November temperatures and mild weather conditions have contributed to lessened deer activity. A lack of snow on the ground has also affected some hunters who prefer some snow for tracking deer.

Conditions are expected to change Wednesday night in Marquette County with rain forecast, possibly mixed with snow. Snow is expected for Thanksgiving Day, with a high of 36. Partly cloudy skies are then predicted, with daytime high temperatures around 39, expected throughout the weekend.

Biologists had also predicted that good food crops of apples and acorns this year would make deer less inclined to actively pursue hunter bait piles, with the wide availability of natural food sources elsewhere.

At the Mackinac Bridge, the count of deer kills heading south over the bridge is down dramatically over last year.

Staff in the toll booths on the bridge count deer kills they see on vehicles and talk about the success of the hunt with hunters passing over the span into Lower Michigan.

As of the 7 a.m. tally today, the bridge count deer total is down 30 percent over last year. There have been 3,048 deer counted so far this year, down from 4,332 deer at this time last year.

Bridge counters tally their results at 7 a.m. and 3 and 11 p.m. daily until Nov. 30, the day the firearm deer season ends.

Staff with the Mackinac Bridge Authority said today several hunters had reportedly not seen any deer during their hunts.

The first successful hunter of the season to cross the bridge this year was Larry Griewahn of downstate Hudson.

He crossed at about 12:30 p.m. opening day with an 8-point buck he shot near Gould City in Mackinac County.

The DNR check station in Marquette will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Wednesday this week.

Next Monday, the station will re-open and will remain so from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, excluding holidays, through Jan. 8.