(Source: MIRS.news, Published 11/20/2023) Since the Legislature adjourned for the year before Nov. 11, 21 legislators had plenty of time for the opening day of firearm deer hunting season on Nov. 15 to fill the freezer with venison.
A Department of Natural Resources (DNR) spokesperson said of the legislators holding hunting licenses for the 2023 firearms deer season, 14 were from the state House and seven were from the Senate. The number ticked up from 12% of legislators who got a firearm hunting license in 2022.
"I was out two days during archery season for deer and I was out two days during gun season for deer. I did see a couple of doe, but I didn't have a clear shot," Sen. John Cherry (D-Flint) said.
Cherry said he was planning on going out more this year and said with the extension of archery season, he was hoping to go hunting a couple more times during that season and late antlerless season.
Sen. Jon Bumstead (R-North Muskegon) said he didn't get a deer opening day either.
"I actually saw 12 deer and one buck, but I let them walk. I actually enjoy watching as much as shooting them and just kind of holding out for a larger one, but there seems to be a lot of deer out there," Bumstead said.
He said the large deer herd was a boon for hunters and encouraged anyone to shoot at least one doe, if not several, to bring down the population, which could help prevent the large number of deer being hit on Michigan's highways.
The Insurance Alliance of Michigan (IAM) said 2022 had the largest number of deer-involved crashes in the past 10 years. There were 58,984 crashes involving a deer, with November being the worst month.
"It’s so important to be mindful during this time of year, and to watch for deer and remember that when you see one, it’s likely there are more nearby as they often travel in groups,” IAM Executive Director Erin McDonough said.
Bumstead said the DNR was doing a good job maintaining the deer herd, but there were some areas with an overabundance.
He said most of the older hunters were set in their ways and it was harder to convince them to shoot doe. He said the younger hunters could most likely be convinced to harvest more female deer.
"If people like venison, I strongly encourage people to harvest a doe first, at least one. You get several," he said.
Michigan Wildlife Council Chair Nick Buggia said the numbers of people licensed to hunt deer was holding steady this year, with a total of 456,731 people buying licenses through Oct. 31.
The total number was slightly down from 2022, but the number of first-time hunters was up this year.
"November is known for three things in Michigan: Deer firearm season, Thanksgiving, and the number of deer-vehicle collisions. Without deer hunters, there would be less food and more collisions," Buggia said.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) put out a consumer advisory for people who are not hunting and buying venison online, especially during hunting season.
"Before you buy any food, and at this time of year particularly venison, make sure the food was processed at a facility licensed by MDARD. Our staff works tirelessly to make sure businesses are following the law to keep your food safe and family healthy," said MDARD Food and Dairy Acting Director Jennifer Bonsky.
Bonsky said there were a few ways to legally sell venison, elk and other deer-like animal meat. The DNR licenses game ranches, which process meat and are sold at retailers.
Meat processors can also accept hunter-harvested venison and process it or create items like jerky or smoked meat.
Custom meat processors without a license are supposed to have the meat marked "Not for Sale."
"The best way to tell if venison being offered for sale is being sold legally is to look at the label. A proper label will list ingredients, weight of the product, the name, address and contact of the licensed food business, and have a 'best by' date, if needed," Bonsky said.
Bumstead said when the Legislature comes back into session, he's pushing for a discussion on his bill that would allow public schools to teach hunter safety education.
He said not only would it teach kids about gun safety, but it could get more young people interested in hunting, which has been declining.
"We have these gun safety storage laws and whatnot. What a better way to educate young people than actually a place where you have certified adults teaching you how to do that. To me it is a win-win for everybody," he said.
