Rep. Cam Cavitt is encouraging his fellow outdoorsmen to look past antlers and help handle deer overpopulation. This year, state officials have sounded the alarm over growing numbers of deer in Michigan. Overpopulation can lead to damaged crops, widespread disease, and increased car accidents.

“When they’re in the freezer, all deer look the same,” said Cavitt, R-Cheboygan. “Hunting is about more than finding the biggest buck. Michigan has too many deer. We hunters need to step up and look past trophy bucks to help manage the population.”

Cavitt recently introduced HB 5395 which would extend muzzleloader season from 10 to 14 days. He’s heard from farmers in his district that have seen the widespread crop damage and diseased deer. His plan would guarantee people more time to hunt, bringing numbers down.

State officials have reported annual decreases in Michigan deer hunters. When there are fewer hunters, fewer deer get harvested. Currently, most hunters target bucks and ignore passing does. Officials said that focusing on hunting adult female deer would reduce population growth.

“Conservationism is a founding principle in Michigan,” Cavitt said. “We pass a love of the outdoors down from generation to generation. Our wildlife isn’t healthy when we have too many deer. Hunters need to honor our commitment to conservation and make doe hunting a priority.”

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