Michigan hunters reported fewer deer during the 2024 regular firearm season compared to the year before, continuing a gradual statewide decline.

But new data show the Upper Peninsula bucked that trend, with many northern counties posting double-digit percentage gains.

According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, hunters statewide reported 136,524 deer harvested during last year’s two-week firearm season, down from 137,074 in 2023 — a 0.4% decrease.

The decline follows several years of relatively steady totals and reflects drops across much of southern and western Michigan.

Counties such as St. Joseph (-47%), Cass (-42%), Oakland (-23%), Kent (-22%), and Van Buren (-20%) saw some of the largest decreases in the state.

The story was different in the Upper Peninsula.

Every

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