MARQUETTE, MI-- The number of deer that went through Department of Natural Resources check stations was up this firearm season over last year.
DNR Public Information Officer John Pepin says in preliminary reports the total number of whitetails checked appears to have increased 10% to 15% over 2017. Escanaba checked the most deer, but the Crystal Falls station saw an 88% increase in the number of deer brought in over last year. Officials say increased awareness of Chronic Wasting Disease and sampling may have contributed to the jump.
A doe tested positive for CWD in Waucedah Township in October. The DNR set a minimum goal of testing 600 deer heads within a core surveillance area around the Township. As of December 1, 711 deer heads had been submitted and tested. Samples included road-killed animals and those taken under deer damage shooting permits.
Officials say the body condition of the deer taken was good, and hunters seemed happy overall with the season.
