2017 Midwest Deer Forecast
September 19, 2017
By Game & Fish Online Staff
Photo By Ron Sinfelt
No matter where you're hunting in the Midwest, you can find the latest state analysis and where-to-go hotspots in our annual Deer Forecast.
Just choose your state from the list below.
The HARVEST numbers are in and all indications are that Wisconsin's deer hunters can expect another banner year in 2017. Here's a look at harvest results from 2016 and how things are shaping up for Badger State hunters this season. What's not to like about Wisconsin deer hunting? Last year the combined hunter kill (gun, bow, crossbow, youth, muzzleloader and antlerless) totaled 310,374 whitetails. These are preliminary numbers for 2016 but these totals have held steady for over a decade, with a couple of banner years topping 400,000 deer in our state....
We cornered the state's top two white-tailed deer experts to try to get a handle on what hunters can expect to experience — and why — in the deer woods this season. Ohio Division of Wildlife Deer Biologist Clint McCoy and Deer Program Administrator Mike Tonkovich provided some excellent insight into the management of Ohio's deer herd and how they are working to help maintain the high quality of hunting the state's sportsmen have come to expect....
Diseased deer are an increasing concern among those in the Michigan DNR as more sick animals have been detected. DNR deer management specialist Chad Stewart is hoping our hunters will be willing to help combat CWD and TB in Deer Management Units where those diseases have been found. They can help by harvesting deer, especially adult does, and having them tested.....
Opening day of the 2017 deer season, whether you are a bowhunter or not, is the day that every deer hunter across Iowa has been waiting for. What will this year's deer season bring? And where will hunting opportunities be better than others to fill that all important tag we purchase each year? In this edition of the Iowa deer hunting forecast we'll take a closer look at harvest reports from last year, find out where greater numbers of deer exist and help you broaden your chances of filling your tag. We'll also examine the harvest trends and see where the state is in its deer....
Deer season is once again upon us, and many hunters are wondering what will be in store. In the 2016-2017 season the overall harvest was 144,150. It ranked lowest since the turn of the century and continues a downward trend since the record harvest in the 2005-2006 season. The Prairie State still ranks among the top of the list when it comes to the premier deer hunting destinations, though. And there are plenty of opportunities this season to fill a tag. We'll take a look here at some of the factors contributing to the deer harvest totals statewide and a little of what....
Deer season is once again upon us, and many hunters are wondering what will be in store. During the 2016-2017 deer season the overall harvest was 119,477. While it ranks 14th since the state started keeping records in 1951, it continues a downward trend since the record harvest in the 2012-2013 season. Contrary to the downward trend was the increased percentage of antlered deer taken by hunters. In fact, the 2016-2017 antlered deer harvest ranks 5th since 1951. We'll take a look here at some of the factors contributing to the deer harvest totals statewide and....
Hunters across the Great Plains are eagerly awaiting the start of deer season. And there's reason to be optimistic, with deer numbers increasing in many areas. Let's take a look at a few of the highlights for the four plains states and what hunters might expect when they hit the woods and fields this season in pursuit of whitetails and mule deer....