Gun Culture And Society
Warm, breezy weather predicted for Saturday’s firearm deer opener
Warm, breezy weather predicted for Saturday’s firearm deer opener
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✍️By ZRIntel Editorial Team📍Iron Mountain, Michigan
IRON MOUNTAIN Michigans firearm deer season is set to commence this Saturday, with the Dickinson County area expecting highs in the 50s and a 30% chance of rain, according to meteorologists. Cooler temperatures, reaching highs near 40, are likely to follow a few days into the season. Hunters should prepare for some breezy conditions during the first days of the hunt. Last year, Michigan hunters reported harvesting nearly 180,000 deer during the 16-day regular firearm season, which accounts for roughly half of the total deer harvest from all seasons. This provides a clear indicator of the significance of the firearm season for hunters in Michigan, particularly in areas like Dickinson County, where more than half of the 2024 harvest occurred during this period. According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Dickinson County's total deer harvest from all seasons in 2024 reached 2,181, including 1,404 antlered deer. The regular firearm season alone resulted in 1,274 deer being harvested, with 951 being antlered. Hunters should note that the highest deer population in Michigans Upper Peninsula is anticipated in the southcentral regions, as stated in the DNRs 2025 hunting preview. During the early archery season, which initiated on October 1, Menominee County reportedly led with a substantial harvest of 1,113 deer, comprising 735 antlered deer. Following Menominee County, Delta County ranks second in the Upper Peninsula with a total of 700 deer, including 513 antlered. Dickinson County maintains its position in third place with 503 deer harvested so far, 344 of which are antlered. Iron County, in fourth place for the UP archery harvest, recorded 225 antlered deer from a total of 346. For the upcoming firearm season, it is crucial for hunters in the UP to understand the baiting regulations. They are permitted to use bait, limited to 2 gallons of volume spread over a minimum area of 10 feet by 10 feet. The DNR urges hunters to minimize the risk of disease among deer by not re-baiting the same point on the ground and to bait only when actively hunting. This year, the DNR is also intensifying the focused testing for chronic wasting disease (CWD) across nine counties in the Upper Peninsula, including Baraga, Chippewa, Dickinson, Houghton, Keweenaw, Luce, Mackinac, Ontonagon, and Schoolcraft. Notably, CWD testing is free for deer harvested in these counties when submitted through DNR drop boxes or staffed sample submission sites. For hunters in Dickinson County, the DNRs Norway Field Office on U.S. 2 is scheduled to be staffed from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. throughout the workweek next week, as well as Monday through Wednesday of the following week. A 24-hour drop box is also provided at this site for hunters wishing to submit their deer heads for CWD testing. Results of these tests are made available online through the DNRs lab results webpage for transparency. Additionally, the DNR is hosting a Deer Drop-In event this Monday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Crystal Falls Field Office located on U.S. 2. This event offers hunters a chance to bring in their deer or lower jaw for aging while networking with DNR staff and fellow hunters. Similar Deer Drop-In events will occur at DNR service centers in Baraga, Escanaba, Marquette, and Newberry on the same day. Another noteworthy event is the Hunters Feeding Michigan deer donation drive set to occur at Buried Stone Farms in Escanaba next weekend. This event is crucial for community engagement and supports local food pantries. All deer donations must be whole, with head attached, harvest-reported, and field-dressed prior to donation. As hunters gear up for the Michigan firearm deer season, it is essential that they are informed about regulations, seasonal expectations, and community initiatives designed to foster a responsible and engaging hunting environment.