Report Nr. 3373 Factors Affecting the Sale of Antlerless Deer Hunting Licenses in the Northeast Lower Peninsula

Deer hunters that had purchased an antlerless deer hunting license in 1998 but not in 2001 for Northeast Lower Peninsula (NELP) were contacted to determine why they had not purchased a license. These former license buyers were also asked whether they would have been more likely to purchase an antlerless license in 2001 if baiting had been allowed. The primary reasons that people did not purchase an antlerless deer hunting license in 2001 were because the person hunted elsewhere (28%) and deer numbers were too low in the NELP to provide an enjoyable hunt (26%). Other common reasons for not purchasing an antlerless license included: bait could not be used (20%) and the person lacked time to hunt (17%). About (31%) of/he former license buyers indicated they would have been more likely to purchase a license in 2001 if bailing had been allowed.