MARQUETTE, MI-- The Department of Natural Resources says firearm deer hunting numbers declined from last year.
Preliminary results from deer check stations across the u-p indicate this year’s harvest was down roughly 5 percent compared to 2018 and the 10-year average.
The results were compiled at the end of the day Monday.
DNR wildlife biologist David Jentoft says significant snow within the past week likely affected check station numbers. Conditions may have discouraged some hunters from going out or bringing their deer into a check station.
Overall, it appears the number of bucks and the number of deer checked at seven check stations during the firearm season was down 5 to 10 percent from 2018. The Escanaba station was up 2 percent over last year with 569 deer checked, while the Sault Ste. Marie station was down 39 percent from 2018 with only 22 deer checked.
