The County Press

Antlerless deer hunt scheduled in Alpena County this January



 

 

A special disease management antlerless deer hunt in southern Alpena County has been scheduled for Jan. 3-6 and Jan. 10-13 on private lands south of M-32.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is offering the season as an opportunity for localized deer management in the bovine tuberculosis (TB) area. Increased antlerless harvest in this targeted area will reduce the number of deer interacting with farms and help limit the number of TB-infected wildlife and cattle herds in the future.

“The January hunt is good news for Michigan sportsmen who haven’t taken a deer yet this year and will aid in bringing herd population numbers to a healthier level,” said Michigan Farm Bureau Legislative Counsel Andrew Vermeesch. “Population control plays a critical role in reducing risk of TB disease transmission in cattle and deer in the area.”

People who would like to hunt, but do not own property in the area, are still able to participate. The DNR’s Hunting Access Program provides access to quality private land across the state to increase public hunting opportunities. Multiple locations in the southern half of Alpena County are currently available for all hunting seasons, with additional properties being enrolled in a short-term lease exclusively for this January 2019 hunt. Enrolled properties can be viewed at michigan.gov/hap.

Hunters can take antlerless deer with an unused 2018 deer license or deer combo license or a private-land antlerless license for DMU 487, or with previously issued disease control permits. Additional tags can be purchased at any DNR license agent through Jan. 13.

Successful hunters can bring their deer to the Alpena or Atlanta DNR deer check sta- tions between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. all eight days of the season.

Want to donate your deer to help others? Sportsman

Against Hunger, the

Food Bank of Eastern

Michigan and the DNR are working together to collect any deer to be donated during this hunt. Drop off deer at the Alpena or Atlanta DNR deer check stations between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. during the hunt.