Glen Wunderlich’s Thinking Afield Column

By Justin Stakes

By Glen Wunderlich

United States -(AmmoLand.com)- Management is a conceptual process, whereby its effectiveness, or lack thereof, is measured in tangible results.

In Michigan, the Natural Resources Commission is responsible for rules and regulations that are enforced by the DNR and carried out by us hunters. Based on antler-point restrictions, whether self-imposed or mandated by law, Michigan has steadily decreased the number of adolescent bucks killed, while increasing the percentage of older bucks killed. A quick review of where we were, what has changed, and where we are today is in order.

Nationwide, in the year 2010 hunters in 54 percent of the states had better seasons than the previous year relative to antlered bucks taken (bucks 1 ½ years or older.) A look at buck kills by age class began to shed some light behind the numbers. Michigan led the way among 13 surrounding states with a whopping 64 percent of yearlings killed compared to the total buck kill figure. Nationally, Michigan ranked dead last and its adult buck deer kill numbers were on the decline.

In 2012 Michigan hunters killed more juvenile deer than any other state. Some 53 percent of all bucks …Read the Rest

Source:: AmmoLand