Michigan hunters kicked off the start of firearm season by taking more than 41,000 deer on opening weekend, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources .

The DNR said several factors across the state could impact deer harvest totals in 2025. High snowfall last winter could lead to lower deer numbers in areas of the Upper Peninsula, an ongoing EHD outbreak in the southern Lower Peninsula, and the March 2025 ice storm in the northern Lower Peninsula also could affect hunting.

"Hunters always benefit from being prepared," said Brent Rudolph, the deer, elk and moose management specialist for the DNR’s Wildlife Division. "These are extra factors to look out for this year."

In the first two days of the 15-day season, Michigan hunters have take 41,573 deer, including 10,8

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