Hunters In Upper Peninsula Bag Fewer Deer, More Mature Bucks

MARQUETTE, Mich. (AP) - State officials say hunters in the Upper Peninsula bagged fewer deer during firearm season but came away with high-quality bucks.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources said Friday that preliminary deer check station data shows a drop of about 13.5 percent through the season that ended Monday. Wildlife officials predicted a drop after three consecutive severe winters in the region.

While the number of bucks being checked was down overall, check stations saw a high proportion of mature bucks.

The Escanaba station was down about 25 percent from last year; Marquette increased roughly 20 percent.

Officials say a continuing warmer-than-average trend could help the herd recover.

Earlier this year, wildlife policy makers approved restrictions to antlerless deer hunting during bow season in the peninsula as the whitetail population plummeted.

Hunting