Report Nr. 3113 1987 Deer Seasons

In 1987, white-tailed deer (Octocoileus virginianus) were legal game during several hunting seasons. For the second consecutive year, deer hunters were permitted to purchase a second hunting license to take an antlered deer anywhere in the State during the regular firearm or muzzleloading seasons. In the Lower Peninsula, a second archery deer hunting license could also be purchased for the taking of an antlered deer during the bow and arrow season. In addition, Hunters Choice permittees in Units 215 and 414 could obtain a "bonus" tag, for a deer of either sex, by legally taking an antlerless deer on their original tag. During the regular firearm season 721,870 hunters harvested 257,550 deer, 21 percent more than in 1986. The buck harvest (185,640) was the highest on record, while hunter effort declined from 5,175,790 to 5,024,240 hunter-days. Muzzleloader deer hunting continued to gain in popularity. The number of muzzleloader hunters reached 82,440 and their harvest increased to 8,310; both were the highest ever. Statewide, hunter effort increased 26 percent to 364,320 hunter-days. In 1987, a total of 198,065 Hunters Choice licensees were issued 222,249 permits to take limited numbers of antlerless deer. The result was the highest antlerless deer harvest (75,704) on record since 1952. A record number of bow hunters (255,430) took to the field in 1987 and established a record deer harvest (72,820). Hunter effort reached 4,181,550 hunter-days, and continued to approach the effort of firearm deer hunters.