12/3/2024

GOGEBIC / ONTONAGON COUNTIES – The Michigan Firearm deer season ended last Saturday, and deer kill numbers in the Western U.P. were up over last year.  In Gogebic County Hunters took a total of 241 antlered and 7 antlerless deer for a total of 248 that’s up from 191 Antlered and 13 Antlerless deer and a total of 204.  Ontonagon County hunters also seeing more success this past season with a total of 476 antlered and 22 antlerless this year for a total of 498 compared to 409 antlered and 40 antlerless deer for a total of 449 deer. The DNR reported that this year’s harvest increased by 15% in the U.P. compared to last year, however statewide deer kill numbers this year are lower by about 2,000 compared to last year.  Michigan hunters killed 137,074 deer in 2023 this year’s number is reported at 135.092 deer.  The Wisconsin DNR also released preliminary numbers yesterday from its gun deer season. The number of deer harvested is up 5% from last year. In total, hunters harvested 189,622 deer during the gun season in Wisconsin.  Iron County Hunters Harvested 333 Antlered and 29 Antlerless deer this year for a total of 362, Ashland County Hunters harvested 872 antlered and 123 antlerless deer for a total of 995 and Bayfield County hunters harvested 2,202 antlered and 1,136 antlerless deer for a total of 3,338 according to preliminary numbers.