With Michigan’s firearm deer season underway, Tommy Carroll of radio station WGRD has written a list of things to know as you try to bag a buck.

Firearm deer season runs from Nov. 15-30, “giving Michiganders two weeks” to hunt, Carroll said.

First, make sure to know what the weather and area factors will be in your area and what is predicted for this fall. The mild 2023-24 winter in Michigan usually means the 2024-25 harvest should be good, Carroll said. In addition, you should:

– Report your deer harvest online

There are fewer deer check stations each year in Michigan but getting your harvest checked in is extremely important to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. This helps the DNR manage the deer population in the areas you hunt plus this can affect the rules put in place. It is easy to report your harvest online and on the DNR Hunt Fish app.

– Remember safety measures

“With guns going into woods, fields, and swamps all across Michigan this Friday, safety is one of the most important things. From how you handle your gun, to who’s hunting in your surroundings and what’s behind your potential targets. Wearing hunter orange is one of the most important items because it tells hunters where you are so you don’t get shot by mistake,” Carroll said.

– It’s OK to harvest a doe

To increase the number of bucks and continue to balance the population of Michigan’s deer herd, harvest more does. Harvesting more antlerless deer is crucial to improving Michigan’s firearm and other seasons, he writes.

– Fight hunger by donating a deer

“If you are in an area that has extra doe permits and you can’t eat all the meat to fill the tags, Michigan offers a wild game donation program to help food pantries,” Carroll said.

– Find out of EHD will be a factor in your hunting area

Carroll states that the Lower Peninsula has 15 counties that had a rise in epizootic hemorrhagic disease.

“You may find dead deer near water in these counties and if you do report them to the DNR,” he said. In addition, chronic wasting disease and bovine tuberculosis are problems in several different counties in Michigan.

– Make sure you purchase your deer tags

Do not go into the woods to hunt without your deer tags, Carroll writes.

“Several big box stores, local hunting and fishing stores, and some gas stations sell Michigan licenses. You can (also) Google locations near you. It is important to tag your deer immediately after your harvest.”

And as always, be sure to visit the DNR website for Michigan’s 2024 whitetail deer regulations. Good luck, and happy hunting!