In 2024, Michigan hunters harvested 287,681 deer during archery and firearm seasons, marking a significant uptick from 274,299 deer killed in 2023. Despite this increase, the harvest remains insufficient to curb the growing deer population in the state, which is estimated to be around 2 million. Michigan DNR’s wildlife biologist stated that the number of hunters also rose slightly, with over 600,000 purchasing deer licenses, reflecting a 2% increase from the previous year.
The uptick in both deer victims and hunting licenses could indicate a shift in hunting trends, as this growth may lead to a historic three consecutive years of rising license sales if the trend continues into 2025. Sanilac County topped the 2024 harvest with 8,998 deer, followed by Jackson and Saginaw Counties. As urban areas report more deer encounters, the need for effective management strategies becomes increasingly urgent.
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