November 15, though not a national holiday, is certainly a holiday in Northern Michigan! In these parts, most K-12 schools and even some community colleges close; men, boys, and even some ladies head out to "camp," and temporary "widows" enjoy the sales and drink specials provided by many local establishments.
What could be such a cause for celebration, you ask? None other than opening day of Whitetail Deer Firearm Season! To some, this may sound a little macabre, or even barbaric, but once one understands what this day means to the people of Northern Michigan, it's easy to see why it is so important to us.
Responsible hunting is practiced by the hunters here, and deer hunting is a community event. The overpopulation of deer in Michigan has led to TB in our area, which has been nearly extinguished by the restriction of baiting in certain areas and hunting to thin the herds. Our hunters are encouraged to harvest an equal number of mature females to bucks to ensure healthy repopulation. Baiting regulations require hunters to spread their feed in areas of at least 100 square feet to discourage the spread of TB. Nearly all Northern Michigan hunters are more than happy to comply with the rules because we know that conservation and hunting responsibly are the keys to ensuring an abundant, healthy deer population for future generations.
The meat from harvested deer is processed and made into burger, steaks, roasts, sausages, and jerky that feed our families throughout the long winter. There is something special about enjoying meat that you or a family member harvested and put on the table. Venison can be substituted for beef in almost any recipe, and it feels good to know that your family is enjoying wild, free-range meat that was harvested humanely and is not full of hormones and other chemicals. Eating less beef reduces fat and sodium intake and also greatly reduces your carbon footprint.
Of course, personal enjoyment and sense of community is also a big part of the allure of deer hunting. The camaraderie felt by family and friends in friendly competition at deer camp, the following of the "buck poles," by local residents, the "buck tales" passed down through the generations, and the handing down of the sport to new generations. The frosty leaves crunching beneath your tip-toeing feet as you creep through the forest, the still beauty of a cold November morning, the pounding in your chest when you spot a big buck. These are all things that remind us of our connection and dependence on Nature - things that make Northern Michigan such an awe-inspiring place.
To participate in this year's hunt, you don't need your own land. Presque Isle County has thousands of acres of public hunting land, which can be found on this map. If your own hunting property is your dream, acreage can be found for well under $1,000 per acre in our area. Check out some listings here. Presque Isle County's current restriction on baiting may be over as soon as this season. Local State Representative Peter Pettalia has been pushing for a lifting of the ban and is confident it will be lifted upon the House vote on November 10, perhaps even for this year's opening day.
You can apply for your license through Pure Michigan Hunt online and be entered into a drawing to win the ultimate hunt, including licenses for elk, bear, antlerless deer, turkey, and opening day at a waterfowl area - along with hunting equipment including a crossbow and rifle!
Another great new resource is a new website created by a partnership between Michigan State University and the Department of Natural Resources, which can be found here. This new site contains a plethora of information including harvest forecasts, last year's season summary, links to applications, locations of wildlife offices and check stations, drawing results, lab results, regulations, information on management, hunting digests, and much more!
Come to Northern Michigan this year to catch a little buck fever for yourself and see why this time of year is so special to our community! Wishing a safe and prosperous hunt to all of our hunters this year!
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