Earlier this month, Policy Development Chair Denese Belson hosted a Deer Management meeting with guest speaker Dennis Tison, Michigan Department of National Resources (DNR).
Members learned about deer trends, trends in hunting numbers and harvest, a recap of the 2024 hunting season, tools available for farmers on information such as: Damage permits (when and how to obtain them), DMAP program, and updates for the 2025 growing season.
Members learned how decisions are made within the DNR office which was helpful to understand how to proceed when action is requested.
While members learned a lot about permit options, they shared with one another about the pros and cons about prior experiences.
Member Patrick Kohler remarked, “we continue to hear about a decline in deer hunters – would you recommend talking to our community to encourage more landowners to lease their land to hunters?” While Tison encouraged the idea, other members shared experiences that deter landowners from leasing such as hunters often want to hunt bucks over does, they feel like they lose control of their own property and sometimes care for the land is not a concern to the lessor and they have found tire tracks in their fields.
The cost of permits has also been a concerning factor that was discussed throughout the meeting posing discussion about how other states hand the same issues.
Thank you to Hillsdale County Conservation District for allowing us to use the facility and the Meckley's Flavor Fruit Farm for sponsoring the delicious donuts!
Following the meeting, Michigan Farm News released an article to learn about the new changes in 2025.
Read more: DNR streamlines crop damage permit process as deer pressure on farms grows
Dennis Rudat and Mitch Galloway, Farm News Media
Visit us online at michfb.com/hillsdale or call the office at (517) 437-2458 to learn more about our programs.