021 Deer Management Unit Geographic Location: DMU 021 is 1,464 square miles in size and is located in the central U.P. and is dominated by Hiawatha National Forest and Lake Superior State Forest, resulting in 71% public ownership. Land use and habitat quality for deer Major land uses within DMU 021 are forest production and outdoor recreation. Scattered agricultural areas are found along the southern, eastern and western borders of this large Unit. Summer range habitat quality for deer varies throughout the Unit and is driven by local soil productivity and subsequent cover types and related food availability. Generally, habitat capabilities for deer are moderate to low in most areas due to acidic, well drained soils. In certain areas silt loam and other productive soils below prolific deciduous stands provide excellent habitat types for deer where preferred food sources (such as grasses, hardwood leaves and lily species) are widespread and available. However, the overall carrying capacity of DMU 021 is limited by winter severity and the capabilities and management of winter range, many deer in this Unit are obligatory migrators. Typical winter weather, as related to deer Climatic conditions in DMU 021 can be severe with growing seasons lasting only approximately 100 days in the northern portion. Winter deer migration in this unit is highly developed with a large portion of the deer moving into the southern portion of this DMU. Even though DMU 021 falls within the moderate snowfall zone, excessive snow depths cause deer to become highly concentrated within Wintering Complexes such as the Sturgeon Hole and Big Springs. Management Guidance: This unit contains a high proportion of state forest and federal forest ownership with some industrial ownership throughout. There are very few concerns regarding the impact of deer on forest regeneration due to low deer densities in this Unit overall. Deer Harvest Analysis: The buck kill per sq. mile in DMU 048 (see Figure 1) is typically low as compared to other units in the U.P. region. It has averaged less than .60 bucks killed per sq. mile during the period 200412.

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Figure 1. Deer killed/square mile in DMU 021. Due primarily to winter severity and habitat capabilities, antlerless deer licenses are usually not offered in this Unit. A very light take, averaging less than .50 antlerless deer per sq. mile (primarily archery hunters) will likely continue. The improvement in buck kill/square mile noted in 2012 was likely caused by improved buck numbers and structure as a result of three consecutive mild winters prior to the season of 2012. Additional Population Assessment Factors: Deer sightings and hunter success/satisfaction trends During the 2013 firearm season, 53 cooperating deer camps (236 hunters) reported their hunting experience in this unit. Compared to 2012, 73% of camps believed there were fewer deer which was likely caused by a prolonged winter in 2012-13 and a subsequent lack in fawn recruitment and production. Sightings of deer decreased from 1.9 to 1.0 per hunter day, and buck kill success collapsed from 27% to 13%. 90% of camps called their season "fair to poor” as compared to 60% in 2012. Long term trends of these statistics are demonstrated in Figure 2.

DEER MANAGEMENT UNIT 021 Camps Hunters % killing a buck Deer seen per day Fawns seen per 100 does Does seen per buck More deer than last year Same number deer Fewer deer Season good-to-excellent Season fair-to-poor

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

69 310 14% 1.1 49 4 to 1 15% 20% 65% 10% 90%

48 247 15% 2.1 56 7 to 1 24% 39% 37% 22% 78%

51 235 12% 1.2 34 5 to 1 4% 12% 84% 10% 90%

51 246 14% 1.6 45 4 to 1 4% 24% 72% 8% 92%

55 253 13% 1.8 57 5 to 1 21% 24% 55% 13% 87%

54 240 20% 1.8 51 4 to 1 18% 36% 46% 22% 78%

48 200 19% 2.6 45 5 to 1 25% 33% 42% 32% 68%

56 255 12% 0.8 37 4 to 1 0% 4% 96% 2% 98%

53 223 13% 1.1 59 3 to 1 13% 31% 56% 2% 98%

54 221 14% 1.7 56 3 to 1 33% 31% 36% 25% 75%

54 222 27% 1.9 50 2 to 1 42% 35% 23% 40% 60%

53 236 13% 1.0 30 3 to 1 8% 19% 73% 10% 90%

Figure 2. Deer Camp Survey data in DMU 021. Due to the severe and prolonged winter of 2012-13, observed fawn recruitment is currently far below the long term average for this unit, at 30 fawns seen per 100 does, which is a record low and reliable indicator of poor fawn production in 2013. This will undoubtedly affect the 1.5 year old age class during the hunting season of 2014. Most importantly though, after WSI week 19 (March 18) of the 2013-14 winter, actual snow depths were 25 inches, far above the long term average of 1.9 inches for that same time period. Accumulated snow totals at Big Springs were 304.5 inches, which is 150.5 inches (or 98%) above the long term average of 154 inches during WSI week 19. Of notable importance, deer remain constricted to winter range and diets of poor nutrition, not yet able to disperse to summer range. Important break out areas continue to be snow covered. As a result of these factors, fawn production and recruitment will not be favorable again this year and above average winter mortality is expected. Agricultural Crop Damage Agricultural lands are not prominent in DMU 021 but crop damage can be an issue where these lands exist and will continue to be addressed. Ninety-eight deer were harvested while utilizing crop damage or deer management assistance permits. Forest Regeneration Concerns DMU 021 contains relatively low densities throughout various cover types, therefore deer browse impacts are minimal or non-existent throughout the Unit.

Deer-Vehicle Collisions Figure 3 demonstrates a general decline in collisions since 2002, this is one of many indicators used to examine trends in deer numbers throughout the UP Region.

Figure 3. Deer/Vehicle Collisions in the Upper Peninsula Region.

Deer Condition Data UP Yearling beam diameters have remained relatively consistent over time, as demonstrated in Figure 4. This is likely a result of overall soil productivity and cation exchange capacity of UP soils, which dictates habitat yield.

Figure 4. UP Yearling Beam Diameters.

Deer Management Recommendations Important indices continue to trend far below the Upper Peninsula averages and due to the severity of this and the previous prolonged winters, we recommend DMU 021 remain closed to antlerless licenses on both public and private land. Observed femur marrow further supports our decision. Crop damage permits and DMAP’s will be utilized to address localized high densities of deer in small areas of premium habitat such as agricultural areas near Cooks. This recommendation is made in collaboration with staff of the WUP Wildlife Management Unit and supported by Law Enforcement Division and Forest Resources Division.

Figure 5: Cover Type Map