LANSING, MI – Hunters in select Michigan counties can purchase antlerless deer licenses for the reduced price of $5.
The offer, a deal compared to the regular $20 cost, is for hunters in DNR deer management units 452 and 487 which includes all of Alcona, Alpena, Iosco, Montmorency, Oscoda and Presque Isle counties.
The discounted cost is intended to provide an incentive for hunters to take more deer, which would help manage the size of the herd in northeast Michigan and may reduce the amount of bovine tuberculosis in the area, according to the DNR. The discounted licenses are available to both resident and nonresident hunters.
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Bovine TB is spread primarily through the exchange of respiratory secretions between infected and uninfected animals. This transmission usually happens when animals are in close contact with each other. Bacteria released into the air through coughing and sneezing or onto shared food sources can spread the disease to uninfected animals.
Licenses will be offered at this reduced cost until October 2021. Resources to support the discount have been provided by the state of Michigan, which has earmarked General Fund dollars to replace revenue the Game and Fish Protection Fund loses from the discounted licenses.
Discounted licenses will be available starting Oct. 1 and may be purchased online at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses or at any retail license agent.