Hunters should be aware of severe weather effects, deer disease



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"DNR News"



Sept. 24, 2025
Contact: Brent Rudolph <[email protected]>, 517-730-8802

*Deer hunting preview: Robust 2024 harvest could extend into 2025*

white-tailed deer buck in field near forest

Deer hunters taking part in Michigan's Oct. 1-Nov. 14 archery season could see a strong statewide harvest, even as they encounter varying conditions – from the results of heavy snowfall in parts of the Upper Peninsula to an outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease in the southern Lower Peninsula.  

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ newly published 2025 deer hunting preview [ [link removed] ] indicates this year’s deer harvest could be strong overall – mirroring a robust 2024 – but that hunters should be aware of several factors.

In addition to the potential for lower deer numbers in high-snowfall areas of the U.P. and the ongoing EHD outbreak [ [link removed] ] in the southern Lower Peninsula, the devastating March 2025 ice storm in the northern Lower Peninsula could affect hunters as well.

"Overall, the 2024 deer season was a pretty good one, with hunter participation and deer harvest all generally steady or increasing from the prior year," said Brent Rudolph, the deer, elk and moose management specialist for the DNR’s Wildlife Division. "Variability within each region occurs every year, but for 2025 the wild cards include the borderline severe winter conditions in the U.P., potential ice storm impacts on access to hunting locations in the northern Lower Peninsula and the ongoing EHD outbreak in the southern Lower Peninsula. Hunters always benefit from being prepared, and these are extra factors to look out for this year."

EHD is caused by a virus transmitted to white-tailed deer by a biting midge (or small fly). The disease is not sustained in the deer population, and outbreaks have not had significant long-term effects on Michigan’s deer herds. But deer mortality can be intense in small areas and persist for a few years.

After being confirmed in 15 counties in 2024, EHD has been confirmed in eight counties this year as of mid-September: Calhoun, Cass, Eaton, Jackson, Lenawee, Mecosta, Van Buren and Washtenaw. EHD will likely emerge in additional southern Lower Peninsula counties until a good frost can kill off the midges that transmit the virus, Rudolph said.

The edibility of venison is not impacted by EHD, and there is no evidence humans can contract the virus either from the midge or from handling and eating venison. 

In the northern Lower Peninsula, deer are not expected to be significantly impacted this year, but hunter access may be affected by the lingering effects from the 12-county ice storm. The DNR has worked hard to clear roads and open trails, but backcountry two-tracks might remain inaccessible and hunting areas might look vastly different. Many downed trees and limbs remain in the woods, and salvage timber harvest will continue for some time.

Michigan’s statewide archery deer season runs Oct. 1-Nov. 14 and Dec. 1-Jan.1, 2026. The statewide regular firearm season is Nov. 15-30, and muzzleloader season is Dec. 5-14. For more information on additional deer hunting season dates, licenses and regulations, visit the DNR’s deer webpage [ [link removed] ].



Deer hunting preview ► [ [link removed] ]

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This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Michigan Department of Natural Resources · Deborah A. Stabenow Building, 525 W. Allegan St., PO Box 30028 Lansing MI 48909 · 1-800-439-1420