Opening Day looking good
Western U.P. deer herd fares better than expected
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HOUGHTON -- Hunters heading into the woods across the Western Upper Peninsula Sunday morning should find a healthier deer herd than biologists anticipated earlier this year, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Morgan Lucot-Norton, a DNR wildlife biologist based at the Baraga Field Office, said field observations from summer and fall indicate that an expected winter die-off in Houghton and Ontonagon counties did not materialize.
“I think for Houghton and Ontonagon counties, an anticipated mortality event from this past winter didn’t really take place from our understanding of the deer herd on the ground this summer and fall, so that’s a good thing,” Lucot-Norton said. “We were really anticipating to see low numbers, and that hasn’t really been the case. There are a number of factors involved, so that will benefit hunters and create a more typical season this year.”
The more optimistic outlook follows a sharp drop in local harvest totals during last year’s regular firearm season, when high winds and rough weather suppressed deer movement across the region. According to DNR harvest reports, hunters reported 469 deer in Houghton County during the 2025 firearm season, down 29.8 percent from 2024--the steepest percentage decline in the state. Keweenaw County’s firearm harvest fell 26.4 percent to 95 deer, while hunters in Ontonagon County reported 570 deer.
Lucot-Norton said the natural mast crop, including acorns and beechnuts, is strong this fall. While deer have been concentrated along hardwood ridges to feed, she said animals are beginning to shift toward winter cover.
“We have seen more movement,” she said.
Hunters who rely on snow for tracking may encounter variable ground conditions during opening weekend.
“The snow we’re getting now is mostly lake-effect,” Lucot-Norton said. “I think it’s going to be somewhat variable this weekend. Next week it’s supposed to warm up going into the second weekend of the season, so conditions will probably change.”
Michigan’s regular firearm deer season runs from Sunday, Nov. 15, through Nov. 30. Under Upper Peninsula regulations, a single deer license or regular combo tag allows a hunter to harvest one buck with at least three antler points on one side, with each point measuring at least 1 inch. A restricted combo tag requires at least four points on one side. Antlerless deer hunting remains closed during firearm season in the northern Upper Peninsula management units covering Houghton, Keweenaw, Baraga and Ontonagon counties, except for youth hunters ages 16 and younger and hunters with qualifying disabilities permits.
All successful hunters must report their harvest within 72 hours through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app or online at Michigan.gov/DNRHarvestReport.
Hunters wanting to have deer biologically aged or tested for chronic wasting disease may bring animals to the DNR Baraga Field Office, 427 U.S. 41 North, during regular weekday hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Lucot-Norton said the Baraga office will also host hunter appreciation check-station hours on Monday, Nov. 16, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., as well as an additional weekend check-station session on Saturday, Nov. 21, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“The only caveat is that our front desk staff will not be in the office on Saturday,” Lucot-Norton said. “Hunters hoping to have samples pulled or deer registered can do that, but if somebody is hoping to purchase licenses, we won’t be able to provide that service on Saturday.”