(Lansing, MI) - Farmers in Michigan can now shoot deer throughout the growing season to protect their crops and choose anyone they want to join them in hunts.

 

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan Natural Resources Commission have teamed up to loosen the state’s crop protection restrictions because of growing widespread complaints about yield losses from an exploding deer population.

 

According to the MDNR’s Wildlife Division, crop protection permits to kill female deer are now valid during the entire growing season instead of just one or two week intervals.

 

In addition, permits can be applied for in advance and activated once the crop is in the ground.  Crops eligible for protection permits were also expanded to include alfalfa, winter wheat and, in some cases, overwintered cover crops.

 

Farmers can also have family members, friends or anyone else who wants to take part join them in hunts to protect their crops. Previously, farmers were restricted to choosing from a state designated list of shooters on who they could invite to take part in hunts.

 

For several years now, deer in Michigan especially in the southern parts have been considered the most costly pest for farmers whose losses, depending on the size and location of each farm, can reach into the tens of thousands of dollars.