Conference vmsnet::hunting$note:hunting

    Well the bonus program is finally out for Michigans deer season.  And
    it contains one very big change.  In my sightings report, I mentioned
    the lack of fawns.  This is a result of last years spring die off.  We
    had a very bad spring in the U.P. just about the time most of the
    newborns where hitting the ground.  It is estimated that at least 40%
    of the newborns died within 48 hours. 
    
    So the bonus is gone for the U.P. with four very minor exceptions. 
    Delta County's Bay De Noc has one pretty good spot that is public. 
    Almost all the rest are for private land.  Since the U.P. is about 80%
    public that is not much.
    
    This is a good move by the DNR.  They had been getting some heat for
    being unresponsive and over estimating the herd last year.  In reality
    they should have eliminated last years bonus program.  Most of the does
    I have seen this year are much larger (not many less than two years
    old)  I finally did see fawns this past weekend.  Each doe had two of
    them.  Letting the archers take them and keeping the guns off them will
    asure a rapid turnaround.  By fall 1995 they will be back up to "pest"
    status again.
    
    /bob
     

    Elk again.  Michgan's elk herd is really getting to be fairly sizeable. 
    It is still by lottery and probably always will be (unless the DNR
    ever lets them loose in the U.P. 
    
    The last native elk disapeared in 1875.  In 1918, seven (7) where
    introduced from Colorado near Wolverine, MI. (lower Penninsula).  This
    grew to about 1500 by 1965.  Then the poachers took note and there was
    not adequate control of the population density.  Habitat destruction
    and poaching reduced the herd to 200 by 1975.
    
    Strangely enough, big oil came to the rescue.  Oil exploration in the
    elk range spurred interest in the herd by members and executives of the
    companies.  They sponsored habitat controls and started RAP (report all
    poaching) in Michigan. The herd rebounded again and came up to 850 by
    1984.  
    
    It has been determined that the range can only support about 900 elk
    over the winter.  More than that puts pressure on the deer herd and
    leads to substantial agrig-damage by both in the following spring. The
    last few years have seen multiple hunt sessions with locations
    controlled by the DNR to acheive uniform density across the range. 
    Last January's estimate pointed to about 1350 which should be closer to
    1550 but the time the hunts begin. 
    
    So a record number of permits will be given.  360, up from 270 last
    year.  You pay your $4 and wait.  If you get drawn, you pay the $100
    permit cost and go on the hunt specified.  On Sept 8-12 will allow 41
    antlerless elk to be taken.  Another 14 will be hunter choice.  The 
    same ratio's exist for the Sept 15-20 and 23-29 hunts.  Then they tally
    up the success rate and turn it on again in December 7-14.  Here there
    will be at least 141 antlerless and 54 hunters choice.  The idea is to
    keep a high bull to cow ratio in the herd.  The range is divided into
    zones and your permit is only good for the zone indicated.
    
    Now before anyone gets excited, remember that Michigan is a State with
    8million people. Even if it is over 600 miles from Detroit to Ironwood,
    that still means lots of applicants.  49,000 for last years 270
    permits.
    
    
    /bob
    

    re. -1
    
    I've always felt elk and deer could exist without affecting each others
    forage - elk being a grazing animal, while deer mostly browse.  I
    suppose your fish and game knows what's best for your particular flora
    and fauna.
    
    
    Ken

>>                    <<< Note 1267.3 by TWNPKS::CORBETTKE >>>
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>>    I've always felt elk and deer could exist without affecting each others
>>    forage - elk being a grazing animal, while deer mostly browse.  I
>>    suppose your fish and game knows what's best for your particular flora
>>    and fauna.
    
    
Ken,

The area I hunt has lost deer due to elk populations.  At least that's
what the DOW officer who manages that area tells me.  The problem
occurs in the winter, when both species compete for the same wintering
ground.  The elk just push the deer out, and the result is a die-off
of the deer population in the winter.

Jerry

    Also, the current range for the Elk is entirely in the northern tip of
    the southern penninsula.  The primary range is "u" shaped with the
    prongs pointing eastward.  Top of "u" to base is perhaps 40miles. 
    Width of "U" (prong to prong) is about the same.  Thickness of the belt
    is 8-10 miles.  Call it 10mi by 100mi or 1000 sq miles.  with 1.5 Elk
    per mile.  I'll bet that's pretty dense.  The winter range spreads out 
    some as forage gets thin so the whole tip is hunted in December for about
    7000 sq miles.
    
    /bob
    

    re -1
    
    Our elk and deer (Oregon) are usually separated by elevation too.  The
    elk can forage longer into the winter without coming down while deer
    tend to follow the snow line and spend the winter in the
    wheat/hay/sagebrush areas.
    
    I guess if you have them locked in an area like you describe it would
    be pretty tough on both animals.
    
    Ken

    Well, did it the hard way.  Packed in tent and gear and set up camp in
    the woods in Western U.P.  I was just not seeing deer like last several
    years.  Things have changed for sure.  First off the mast crop is
    excellent.  never seen so many little green marbles.
    
    Secondly the herd is down.  I would estimate about 30% at least. 
    Coupled with smaller ranges (due to excellent browse/forage), you just
    have to seek them out.  All of the deer I came across were bedded in
    their feeding areas.  Due to great rainfall this year, the berries are
    still abundant.  Yes , blueberries, rasberries and blackberries.  This
    latter seems to be first choice.  One good note, all fawns are of
    exceptional size.  They are so large it is easy to mistake for full
    grown deer without a parent nearby.  
    
    None of my old stands are seeing any traffic.  One new one, set up this
    past week is getting trashed with all the traffic out to the berry
    patches.  Hope that pattern holds three more weeks.
    
    We are not getting tremendous hunting pressure in the western U.P., It
    must have been last years nasty spring and this past years rather hard
    winter.  Anyway, no antlerless permits in the western up at all, means
    many, many new ones next spring.
    
    /bob