* Note: I am not looking to stir up controversy. Simply asking questions about other hunter's outlook on the year thus far.




With the research I have done and new hunting styles due to new hunting laws this season, I was somewhat excited about the ban.

Early in the season I seen a few deer that were patterned all summer. Nothing specially, had some small bucks within range and decided to pass.

Through my research, talking to people from other states, and from what people have said on here I thought I would see deer moving throughout the day and in no hurry to bed (due to the fact that they must feed).

So far this season I have seen very limited deer. I keep a log every year, and this is by far the lowest number of deer I have seen in my 8 years of legal hunting age.

Around the area I live, no one has been seeing the numbers of deer we used to. They are still there, and if you go into a bedding area your going to bust deer out, but they seem even more nocturnal.




Anybody have thoughts / opinions?


I was hoping someone would post a new Michigan thred sooner or later, looks like I am the one to do it!

Just thought i would say hi...haven't bow hunted in a few years with a 1.5 year old haven't had the time and taking a new job. SUCKS!!! Such an itch to get out. They other problem is having no where to hunt in South GR area. I'm a trasplant from about an hour/half north. My dad has property in Remus that I'll probably go up and rifle hunt a bit but not much time to get up there. And man do I miss the treestand and my bow. Grew up hunting in Edmore area with my cousins/uncles it was the best. How many fewer deer you seeing?

well, i hate the ban. i live in detroit and hunt in houghton lake. with my job i don't get the time to go like i use to. i hunt state land and don't have the ability to hunt on any trail that i want. baiting has helped me get alot of deer.

like you i have not seen the numbers i use to see. i don't know what part of the state ur in, but in northerm michigan the deer numbers are down (and i don't care what the dnr says).

i have seen five deer since oct 1 in the area i hunt (all of that was on land that i just bought and now can't hunt because it is being select cut). the only deer activity that i have had on my state land was before light. i heard em moving all around me but when the light hit they were gone.

between less deer, more pressure, and (what i believe) the deer moving at night it's going to be a long season.

I have mixed feelings about what this ban has done to the numbers. I've huntedalot this season and I have seen a good amount of deer. Granted, not as many as in previous seasons ifI had been baiting, but I can't complain. Now, you just can't rely on them coming in on the same patterns as they had before. This is where early season scouting and planningcomes in handy. With the right plan,it's not too hard to harvest a deer.

As far as the harvesting numbers, I don't see how they could do anything but drop significantly. It may seem unfair but some people just can't hunt without bait. The available areas and the pressure put on those makes it hard to do so. I think we will see a significant decrease in the harvest this year, without a doubt.

You just nailed it. You have to scout, and setup around funnels and travel corridors. Find their pre-rut patterns..and hunt them hard. Once the rut starts, you might have to move some stands as their patterns change.


I'm sure it's hard for the long time baiters who don't have the time to scout. But after you key in on their patterns, you'll be seeing the deer again. One little thing you could do is post an aerial photo of your hunting land. There are some guys on this site that would be more than happy to tell you what they think would be the better spots to set up on.

Each comment has been great. Great post and discussion.

I agree with all of the posts and do also think that harvest rates will decrease by a good amount.



As for the lack of deer. There are areas in which I have never baited, like farmland, and I still have seen very few deer. Sign is everywhere, but deer are only to be seen on digital camera from 9pm to 4am. Just different than other years.


As for some parts of Michigan, I agree, it is nearly impossible to get deer without baiting. I may get crap for that statement, but prove me wrong. I'd love to see your harvest in those areas!!

From what I have noticed, in the Southern half of the state most people are seeing about the same amount of deer since most deer rely on farms for food and not bait. As for up north, thats a whole different story. Most everyone I have talked to said its the worst hunting they have ever seen and deer numbers are way down. Where i hunt in baldwin we use corn feeders as well as all the neighbors, but since the ban was in effect none of us have been using them. However, we are the only property that has food plots so we are seeing more deer than we ever have, we have already killed more deer this year than the last 5 combined. And on another note, I dont think the ban has really sunk in up north, i talked to one guy that has a bait shop and said at first not many people were buying carrots but now it picked up and he is selling the same as he was last year.

Yea, there isn't enough paper to write enough tickets to the people who will continue to bait in the Northern LP, IMO.

Personally I havent seen alot either. Although I have seen less this year, Im actually starting to like this ban. I have seen numerous 4 pointers, and a few spikes that would never make it out of rifle season typically. But with the ban, they just may make it, and turn out to be a nice mature buck someday. Im willing to put in the work to go after them, so I dont have a problen with it. The baiting ban issurely going to reduce harvest numbers, and let some of these little guys grow up some. Im kind of excited to see what the herd looks like in a couple of years. But as for your question, your right, alot less deer for me. They seem alot more unpredictable, not sticking to specific runs and such. They seem like they are just wandering aimlessly.

All the gas stations and feed stores continue sell bags of sugar beets and they are selling out. Liquid baits are flying off the shelves at sporting goods stores. Alot of people are obviously ignoring it, but we'll see how they like the $500.00 ticket later. It isnt worth it to me.