Local hunters have another chance to fill the freezer as the deer season has been extended in some parts of southeast Michigan. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources started a pilot program three years ago to try to reduce the deer population in Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties. Deer populations have been conflicting with urban sprawl in those counties and the DNR is trying to do something about it.
The extended season is for bow hunting only and goes until January 31, 2020. As the final year of the pilot program, the success will be evaluated to determine if it will continue in the future. Chad Stewart, deer, elk, and moose program leader for the DNR, said that there are high quality deer out there for hunters to harvest.
To participate in the hunt in our neighboring counties, south of the Blue Water area, hunters need a valid deer license and need to make sure that hunting is allowed in certain municipalities. State game and wildlife areas are open to hunting in the tri-county area. The DNR hopes that this extended season will help to reduce the deer population in these heavily travelled and populated areas and give hunters one more chance to bring home some venison.
Reporting for WGRT, Kelsie Kaczperski.
