As most deer hunters now know we had a pretty dismal deer season as far as seeing deer. Two recent articles by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources in The Daily News allude to that but continually put the blame mostly on severe winters. Statewide, deer harvest numbers are down 11% and the Upper Peninsula harvest is down 26% (DNR Stats). There are multiple reasons why.

In my opinion, and the opinions of hunters I spoke with, list why we are not seeing deer other than winters. Let’s look at the seven deer seasons there are — 1. Liberty Hunt; 2. Early Antlerless Firearms; 3.Independence Hunt; 4. Archery Hunt; 5. Regular Firearms; 6. Muzzleloading; and 7. Late Antlerless Firearms (listed under DNR Deer Seasons).

Secondly, the amount of predators, more diverse then ever. 1. Bears kill many of the fawn crop. 2. Mountain lions — California stats indicate they will eat 48 various deer-size prey a year, with deer being the most. 3.Wolves — Nearly 18 years ago the DNR estimated the wolf population at roughly 680-plus and yet today stand around that same figure; other groups estimate there could be 2,000-plus. 4. Coyotes. 5. Bobcats.

In addition, car/deer accidents in Dickinson County claim more than 1,000-plus killed. Lastly, farm permits take many of the doe and fawn crop.

It doesn’t take a biologist or scientist to figure this out.