Michigan Archery Deer Harvest Down Nearly 31% After First Week of Season
Michigan’s early segment of the archery deer season, which commenced on October 1st, has seen a total harvest of 7,530 deer as of 10 a.m. on Wednesday, October 8, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
This year’s numbers represent a 30.9% decline compared to the 10,892 deer taken during the same period last year. Specifically, hunters have harvested 4,943 antlered bucks and 2,587 antlerless deer so far, marking a 28.8% drop in antlered deer and a sharper 38.5% decline in antlerless harvest.
County-Level Harvest Data Reflects Localized Variation
Oakland County currently leads all counties in harvest numbers with 256 deer, including 169 antlered and 87 antlerless animals. Lapeer County follows closely with 230 total deer, and Saginaw County ranks third with 223.
These figures highlight how local habitat, deer density, and hunter access can influence harvest success during early archery seasons.
Season Structure and Reporting Changes
The bow season runs through November 14 this year, with a second archery segment scheduled from December 1 to January 1, 2026. Additionally, an extended archery season extends through January 31, 2026, in select counties including Huron, Kent, Lapeer, Macomb, Oakland, Sanilac, St. Clair (excluding DMU 174), Tuscola, Washtenaw, and Wayne.
Beginning in 2022, mandatory online reporting of deer harvests has improved data accuracy, allowing biologists to track trends and inform management decisions more effectively.
Expert Analysis: Population and Environmental Factors
Wildlife experts suggest the current decline in early archery harvests could be influenced by multiple factors including recent harsh winters, variations in fawn survival rates, and hunter effort distribution across the state.
White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), the state’s prevalent species, exhibit seasonal behavioral changes in October, such as increased movement during the pre-rut period, which affects hunter success rates. The reduction in antlerless harvest may also reflect increased regulatory emphasis on maintaining balanced sex ratios and herd health.
Year-to-Date and Historical Context
Despite the early season decline, overall deer harvest numbers for 2025 remain comparable to 2024, with 30,291 total deer taken statewide by this date. This includes 9,117 antlered and 21,169 antlerless deer harvested so far.
Saginaw County leads the state year-to-date with 1,908 deer harvested, maintaining its position as a key hunting area. In 2024, Michigan hunters harvested 299,478 deer across all seasons, with Sanilac County recording the highest county total at 9,544.
Top 10 Michigan Counties for Deer Harvest in Early Archery Season
- Oakland County – 256
- Lapeer County – 230
- Saginaw County – 223
- Genesee County – 206
- St. Clair County – 204
- Macomb County – 198
- Tuscola County – 191
- Bay County – 189
- Huron County – 184
- Midland County – 181
Additional reporting and sources from: Michigan archery harvest down 32% compared to 2024 after first week
