Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Hi Russ -- We don't have any regulations against hunting pipelines and utility lines, unless it is posted by the landowner as no hunting. However, if you know the pipeline is crossing private land that is not posted, you may want to contact the adjacent landowner just for safety's sake. Thanks!

Hey Brian -- Hopefully the hunting will start to turn around for you soon! We've seen a lot of bucks in the UP -- with the weather finally getting colder downstate, that should really get the rut on and get deer moving more. Good luck!

Hang in there, Nick. Hopefully with the colder weather that is supposed to be on its way, that will get the deer moving. A little snow wouldn't hurt for visibility, too. And, reports are that the farmers are working to get their combining done, so hopefully once the corn is out of the fields, deer will be moving more to look for natural food sources. Good luck!

We are hearing from a lot of hunters who, like you, are frustrated at seeing those piles of bait for sale, but the DNR can only regulate the use of bait, we have no authority to regulate commerce. That lies in the hands of your state legislators and in the power of each hunter's pocketbook, when they decide whether or not to buy and illegally use ... Więcej...bait. Our conservation officers take illegal baiting very seriously -- please call in your anonymous tips to our Report All Poaching line at 800-292-7800.

Hey Ed, great question! Antlered does are not very common -- research shows about one in every 3,500 does to have antlers at some point in their lives, usually small buttons or velvet spikes. For a doe to have polished antlers is even more rare and usually is due to the deer having internal male sex organs and external female organs. If you shot an... Więcej... antlered doe, please consider bringing it in to one of the DNR's deer check stations so our biologists can examine it and give you more information. Here's the list of check stations for 2009: http://bit.ly/1awCIC

Sorry to hear that about Lapeer, sometimes the staff are trained to work the check station but aren't technically biologists. If there are any other stations on the list that are an option for you, I'm sure they would love to see the deer intact!

Hi Shannon -- The Michigan Senate has passed the bill proposing the State Parks Passport, which would eliminate the current motor vehicle permit for parks and instead add $10 to license plate registration for those who would like to take part. Now the bill goes to the House for a vote. The Passport legislation has been spearheaded by a citizens group. You can find out more information on their Web site: http://www.ourmichiganparks.org/