Michigan is significantly larger in land mass then Pennsylvania, 56,803.82 square miles to 44,816.61 in Penna, yet Michigan has few people requiring infrastructure such as homes, roads, shopping centers, etc. Pennsylvania has about 268 people per square mile compared to Michigan having only about 175 people per square mile.

Every person living in any state or area requires a certain amount of infrastructure to meet their needs. More people, with more infrastructure equates to less habitat that is available for wildlife. With less habitat and more infrastructure there will generally be less wildlife available per individual living in the more populated states.

That is probably the reason Michigan has a better hunter success rate. They have fewer people and fewer hunter yet more habitat to support deer.

R.S. Bodenhorn