Michigan has a hunting problem, and that means it has a deer problem.

To overcome those problems, the Legislature should expand hunting opportunities in Michigan, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources needs to encourage hunters to take more does, and the state needs a public service announcement campaign to encourage more young people to get into hunting.

We can do our part, too, by embracing hunting traditions that have long been woven into the fabric of Northeast Michigan and encouraging the young people in our lives to become sportsmen and sportswomen.

State Rep. Cam Cavitt, R-Cheboygan, in a statement this week (read more on today’s Outdoors page, 4B) said deer caused more than 58,000 car wrecks in Michigan last year, killing 19 people. That illustrates the problem with the deer population in Michigan.

Hunting has traditionally helped control deer populations, but, while the deer population climbs, the population of Michigan hunters declines. In 2000, some 800,000 people had hunting licenses. Today, that’s down to around 600,000, a 25% decline.

In addition to the wildlife management benefits, hunting is a big boon to Michigan’s economy.

A 2019 study by Michigan United Conservation Clubs found hunting and fishing contributed $11.2 billion in economic activity to the state, including $451 million in Bay, Arenac, Iosco, Alcona, Alpena and Presque Isle counties.

As well, the state needs to encourage more families to continue the hunting traditions that have fueled Michigan wildlife management for generations, including marketing campaigns and outreach to families through schools.

Michigan and hunting go as hand-in-hand as Detroit and the American automobile, and we need to keep that tradition alive to help the DNR keep a hand on the deer population and to drive Michigan’s economy forward.

(THE ALPENA NEWS)