Michigan Deer Harvest Remains Robust as Fall Hunting Season Progresses
As of the morning of Wednesday, October 15, 2025, hunters in Michigan have successfully harvested over 39,400 deer, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR). This strong early-season harvest aligns with predictions made in the 2025 deer hunting outlook, reflecting trends seen in 2024.
Environmental Conditions Influencing Deer Populations and Harvests
Several environmental stressors are impacting deer numbers across Michigan’s varied landscapes this season. Heavy snowfall last winter in the Upper Peninsula (U.P.) may have contributed to localized declines in deer survival, given the species’ sensitivity to severe winter conditions. Additionally, the ongoing Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) outbreak in the southern Lower Peninsula continues to affect herd health and density. The March 2025 ice storm that swept through the northern Lower Peninsula has also altered deer habitat and movement patterns, factors that hunters and wildlife managers must consider during this season.
Brent Rudolph, specialist for deer, elk, and moose management with the DNR’s Wildlife Division, emphasizes the importance of adaptability: “Hunters always benefit from being prepared. These are extra factors to look out for this year.”
Harvest Breakdown: Bucks and Does
From the season opening on September 13 to mid-October, hunters have reported the harvest of 3,101 antlered bucks and 16,085 antlerless does. The proportion of does taken is significant because managing doe populations is critical for maintaining balanced herd demographics and healthy ecosystems.
County-Level Harvest Data
The counties with the highest total deer harvests by October 15 are:
- Saginaw County: 1,696 deer
- Sanilac County: 1,380 deer
- Tuscola County: 1,295 deer
- Huron County: 876 deer
- Gratiot County: 809 deer
Conversely, as of November 18, the lowest harvest totals were recorded in:
- Keweenaw County: 0 deer
- Luce County: 0 deer
- Baraga County: 1 deer
- Crawford County: 1 deer
- Kalkaska County: 2 deer
- Ostego County: 2 deer
Counties Producing Highest Buck and Doe Harvests
The areas where hunters have taken the most bucks to date include:
- Tuscola County: 417 bucks
- Sanilac County: 416 bucks
- Huron County: 340 bucks
- Saginaw County: 241 bucks
- Kalamazoo County: 181 bucks
For does, the leading counties are:
- Saginaw County: 1,455 does
- Sanilac County: 964 does
- Tuscola County: 878 does
- Gratiot County: 800 does
- Branch County: 628 does
Policy Considerations Amid Changing Deer Populations
Due to variable herd health and recruitment, particularly in the U.P., state wildlife managers are contemplating restrictions on antlerless deer hunting during the bow season. Controlling doe harvests is a key management tool because does drive future population growth.
Recap of 2024 Deer Hunting Trends
In 2024, Michigan recorded strong participation and harvest numbers. Approximately 532,926 hunters took part in deer hunting—a 1% increase over the previous year—and 604,088 licenses were sold. Hunters harvested nearly 300,000 deer across all seasons.
By September 25, 2025, over 21,000 deer had been taken, with a significant portion—around 11,800—harvested under deer damage permits issued to control localized population impacts. Additional deer were harvested during specific hunts such as the youth/Liberty hunt (5,200 deer) and the early antlerless firearm season (3,400 deer).
Impact of the 2025 Ice Storm on Hunting and Deer Habitat
The historic ice storm in March 2025 disrupted both human communities and wildlife habitats throughout northern Michigan. Heavy ice accumulation damaged tree canopies, potentially reducing available winter cover for deer and altering their foraging behavior. These habitat changes can affect deer vulnerability and movement, influencing hunters’ success rates this fall.
Additional reporting and sources from: Michigan hunters have harvested more than 39,000 deer. Here’s where they’re seeing success
