Michigan officials say firearm hunters killed 10 to 20 percent fewer deer last month than during the same season in 2008.
The Department of Natural Resources released estimated results from the hunt this week.
The dropoff was most noticeable in the Upper Peninsula and less apparent in the southern Lower Peninsula.
Biologists say the biggest reason for the slump was the weather, including the harsh winter a year ago. Also, conditions last month were unusually mild. Lack of snow
made deer harder to track and less likely to move around so hunters could see them.
The DNR says the harvest fell 20 to 30 percent in the Upper Peninsula, 15 to 25 percent in the northern Lower Peninsula, and 5 to 10 percent in southern Michigan.
Final numbers will be released next spring.
