MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP, MI (AP)-- Michigan wildlife policymakers are preparing to consider options for boosting the whitetail deer population in the Upper Peninsula, which has dropped as much as 40 percent after two bitterly cold and snowy winters.
The Natural Resources Commission will discuss the situation on Thursday at its meeting in Ingham County's Meridian Township, near Lansing. The commission sets bag limits and other hunting regulations.
A Department of Natural Resources memo lists six options, including canceling this year's U.P. deer season. Spokesman Ed Golder says it's doubtful the commission will go that far.
The report says many hunters want something done after the peninsula's lowest deer numbers in about 30 years.
Other options include is limiting antlerless deer hunting.
About 100,000 people typically participate in the U.P. deer hunt.