Report Nr. 3064 Evaluation of Michigan's Second Buck License

In 1986, deer hunters in Michigan were permitted (per an amendment of Act 86 of 1980) to purchase a second deer hunting license to take an antlered deer in the Lower Peninsula during archery season and anywhere in the state during the firearm or muzzleloading season. Even though a large number of second licenses were sold, few hunters took 2 deer (2.4% of all archery and 2.9% of all firearm and muzzleloader hunters). About 5,520 hunters took 2 deer during the archery season and 20,150 took 2 deer during the firearm and/or muzzleloader season. The 1986 deer harvest included 57,960 deer taken during the archery season, 205,340 during the firearm season, and 6,630 during the muzzleloading season. In all seasons, hunters took 269,630 deer, of which 193,340 were antlered bucks.