Brandon Twp.-At 14-years-old, Ronnie Childers has connected on his share of local whitetails.
‘I started deer hunting when I was 11-years-old,? said Childers, a Brandon Middle School eighth grade student. ‘I’ve connected on five deer’two does and three bucks. I’ve missed just one’that was a few years ago, too, with a bow. I get a deer every year.?
As Michigan archery deer season opened on Thursday Oct. 1’Childers may not be alone in his hunting success.
Rodney Clute, Michigan DNR Big Game Specialist, said hunters will find plenty of deer this season.
‘In zone three of Michigan, where Atlas, Brandon, and Groveland townships are located, we estimate at least 900,000 deer,? said Clute. ‘We need to reduce the number of deer’the herd is way larger than it should be and hunters will have no problem finding deer.?
‘Deer in a high density area are very stressed out,? said Clute. ‘Right now there are too many, given the amount of food available.?
Clute suggests private property owners allow hunters on their land when they ask this season.
‘Statewide, we have 60,000 car-deer accidents each year,? said Clute. ‘It’s in the best interest of the deer to reduce that herd down to about 600,000 over the next few years.?
Unlike the northern lower and upper peninsula, winter in the southern half of the state is a non-event.
‘Winter kill in Zone 3 is almost non-existent,? he added. ‘Coupled with plenty of food and private land, the deer population continues to grow. That’s why many of the big bucks are down in the southern half. Deer body size continues to grow, as do the antlers.?