LANSING, MI (WTVB) – With the increased number of car-deer crashes along with crops being destroyed due to the growing deer population, 35th District State Representative Jennifer Wortz has introduced a plan to encourage doe hunting.
The legislation comes as Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources has urged hunters to shoot more doe to limit breeding and reduce the size of deer herds but there has not been a lot of success with that effort.
Wortz says House Bill 4206 would offer free doe hunting licenses. In turn, that would incentivize more doe hunting in the state.
Wortz said in a statement released by her office, “Too many deer are eating crops in our fields and hitting cars on our roads — endangering lives, damaging vehicles, and reducing our food supply. State officials are trying to promote doe hunting to put a stop to overpopulation, but not enough hunters are bucking trends and taking down doe. My plan will encourage this necessary population control with a very simple incentive: two free doe tags for every hunter. Making doe hunting more affordable will ease the way for Michiganders to immerse themselves in the great outdoors, bring home some venison, and participate in critical conservation efforts.”
An antlerless deer license authorizes killing one doe. The license currently costs $20 on top of the price of the base hunting license, and a hunter may purchase up to 10 annually.
Wortz’s bill would allow anyone who buys a base license in Michigan to obtain two free antlerless deer licenses each year.
The bill was introduced on Tuesday and referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources and Tourism.
Could officials schedule an official culling session done by authorized hunters like the city of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan does, and the harvested meat then processed and donated to area food banks for distribution.