DISCOVERING | U.P. Deer Hunting at Risk

[@yooperrd651]

I must say Mr. Hammill spoke the most common-sense talk on the issues in the Upper Peninsula i have heard so far. send him to Lansing and let him direct the NRC. Thanks Jim !!!!!

[@rabbithomesteading3797]

OMG I 100% agree! Very intelligent guy! 1 vote here!

[@YoopHunter]

Finally someone who understands the issues knows what he's talking about. Thank you Mr. Hammill.

[@gregjohnson7775]

If you recall, Hammill was a big fan of bringing wolves back to the U.P.

[@georgegraves3213]

and LIED about it -

[@natetruth6828]

Just like wisconsin and colorado. I haaaaaaate wolves! North Western wisconsin had a awesome deer population. Till the F*%££ DNR introduced wolves!

[@YoopHunter]

Thank you Mr. Hammill for sharing your extensive knowledge and insight. Finally, we hear from someone who fully understands the situation and cares more about the herd than his own interests. He’s right. Where predators, winters, and hunters take a huge toll on the population, we need to protect the does and kill fewer bucks, even if it means less meat in our freezers

[@BobPeterson-rw9yw]

I hunted the UP before and after the "big crash" from the winter of 95-6. I did very well for years after 96 - got a good buck every year or had an opportunity. The last 10 years has been a complete collapse, with my last rifle hunt consisting of seeing 2 deer in 3 days of all day sits, heard 4 total shots during that time. My camp and a few other camps I know of are no more, and are never coming back. Maybe that was the intent, I don't know. What a damn shame; the great hunts, camps, comraderie, economic benefit, all gone. All well and good to have these people on to share their views, but it won't repair the damage. The deer hunting culture of the UP had been badly damaged, if not destroyed. It is not coming back.

[@uprebel5150]

You could not be more correct.

[@dinomastri727]

Excellent information and presentation. Presented facts and when giving his opinion he said so. Really great and would appreciate hearing Hammill more.

[@rogerramjet7567]

Michigan has everything needed for a five star deer herd and hunting. Why doesn’t it??? POOR MANAGEMENT. OR, THE LACK OF IT. !!😣🤬

[@pauldombrowski2330]

Agree 100%. Our camp is just north of Seney. Spent 11 days straight in the blind last year. Didn't see a single deer. Did hear/see fresh wolf kill. 9am they opened up very close. Drove in for lunch and came across kill sight with deer parts and fresh wolf tracks. Have photos. We have around 10 hunters in our group. 1 deer has been taken in past 4 years. It's sad.

[@bradbishop-atfulldraw7491]

Bow hunted and muzzle loader hunted up there a few years ago and was very disappointed. Went out after a fresh snow only to find zero deer tracks and predator tracks everywhere. The UP has a serious problem. Hope they figure it out.

[@PavelDatsyuk-ui4qv]

Good . We're spose to have mostly moose with some deer and caribou

[@FjHenderson]

Excellent on the deer hunting and right to the point. As a person who lives at the other extreme of Michigan in the south along the border with central Michigan and northeast Indiana and northwest ohio, the asphalt biologist in Lansing have no clue to what they're doing in Michigan as a biologist for the deer herd in the Upper Peninsula and extreme southern Michigan. And with the DNR raising hunting tag prices to the point where you afford to go hunting, they have ruined a valuable source of income for the state.

[@REIronminer]

Thankx for the wolves….. Bans on baiting. No timber replenishment. All this from a partridge biologist become wolf expert. Michigan DNR is solely responsible for our problems.

[@PavelDatsyuk-ui4qv]

Wasn't it naturally moose with some deer and caribou. I thought we wanted prestine woods not managed for a few bucks from hillbillys .

[@uprebel5150]

@@PavelDatsyuk-ui4qvNatural balance is critical.

[@PavelDatsyuk-ui4qv]

@@uprebel5150 exactly. Get rid of most of the deer and hillbillys messing up property values

[@johnnysnodderly7632]

I think this guy knows more than a whole DNR all put together they should listen to him

[@angrywolverine6749]

He said the truth , the people running the DNR are not from up there and don’t understand what needs to be done. So far as I see I as a person who has hunted the UP, the anti hunting group and the forestry industry is who’s winning in the UP. As hunters in MI whether you are in the UP or lower we must come together and fight against the law’s that are against the health of our deer and all other animals that we hunt in Mi.

[@thetickterminator]

Great advice Mr. Hamill I heard you give a presentaion about 30 years ago and you are still on target.

[@70stunes71]

Excellent video & words 👍🏻🇱🇷💯

[@REIronminer]

SSS. Don’t need DNR to manage wolves when they have exceeded the social carrying capacity.

[@mikeveine]

Good interview with some good information.

[@Nello353]

I remember as a young man an unspoken contest between Pa. and Mich. The most licensed hunters and the numbers of deer. Mich always had the edge in both categories,and both states led all the others.

[@1989Falkor]

Was at camp over Labor day weekend, didnt want to leave. Cant wait till November!

[@uprebel5150]

Congressman Jack Bergman, who represents the Upper Peninsula and the Northern Lower, has recently introduced a bill into Congress to return the management of wolves from the federal government back to the states. I have lived in the remote part of the Eastern UP for the last 7 years and I see wolves almost every day. I hear them howl every night. I hear coyotes howl once in a while and when I do the wolves howl louder and shut them down. I rarely see coyotes. When I lived in Oakland County I frequently heard and saw coyotes. They are here but they are even more stealth like than downstate. I hike 4-5 days a week. I have not seen a rabbit in the entire time I have lived UP here. I have a dozen suet feeders out for woodpeckers and squirrels don’t show up to eat the scraps on the ground. I haven’t seen a squirrel nest in a tree in a few years. Wolves are eating all of the small game as well as the deer. I have often heard people in public refer to the “Three S’s”-“Shoot, Shovel, Shut Up”. Call our two US Senators and ask them to DELIST the wolf from federally protected status and return it back to the states. They did so with Wyoming a few years ago. So, it is possible.

[@peterdragon6367]

They’re democrat senators. They’re not into listening to their constituents and are actually useless

[@thomas9565]

I’m gonna say it again, “if a state can ignore federal law and legalize marijuana, a state can ignore federal law and manage wolves how they see fit.”

[@johnruotsi2532]

I have one fawn on camera after the easiest winter I have ever seen. Only one 2 1/2 year old basket 8. Wolves definitely have a huge impact.

[@RKLIFE17]

I’ll fix the UP. One buck rule in the UP. $10 doe tags. Create a PSA about helping save the hunting culture. We must manage wolves in the courts and in the field. Wolf tags are $20 at Menard’s.

[@Todaysbacon]

If they rely on cedar and hemlock for food that’s rough. In most/all other whitetail woods it’s all about reducing the canopy to stimulate more young growth woody and forbs. Thermal bedding covering different story yes, but the those trees are lower value food than the regeneration that follows the cutting them down.

[@jdallavall161]

Loss of habitat because hemlock isn't worth anything for big timber companies. All they want is fast growing timber for producing pulp/lumber... as always greed wins and our quality of life and traditions suffer. Keep government out of all aspects of our lives. We the people are tired of the micro management and over reach. Like usual, I'm sure you can follow the money back to Lansing in the case of the Yoop.. Madison in WI... If we don't start standing up for ourselves there will be nothing left...

[@satanslittlehelper9677]

Most are privately owned companies

[@jdallavall161]

@@satanslittlehelper9677 ownership of the company is irrelevant....they are simply the middle men.

[@FrogDad556]

This. We let industries and companies destroy our resources. And we are the ones continually regulated for compensation to fix their mess. It’s getting old..

[@waynestock2006]

💯. We need to stop allowing corporations to rape and pillage our lands. I'm from the lower, but it's the same. Government giving tax cuts to companies and not holding them liable to the damage they leave in their wake is destroying our Michigan culture and resources.

[@LadyYoop]

Break my heart...I hope he can make sense to the Trolls in Lansing.

[@tmglvr]

Very sad. I live in the UP and have property in the UP. Last year i thought my trail cameras were broke because I was getting so few pictures of deer. I cannot remember the last time I deer hunted in the UP. I travel to the LP or out of state.

[@drc1883]

well said jim

[@donaldliedke3327]

I’ve been hunting in eastern lron county, southern Marquette county for 60yrs . I saw 8 does no bucks, second week last year Have camp south of republic. 20 acres public . Maybe better luck this year😎

[@mrhappy357mg6]

The way he describes the decline after 96 , here in the pacific northwest we have same problem in mule deer decline

[@gregeberlein3046]

Well, something to look into would be transplanting deer into the U.P. from areas of the lower peninsula that do not allow hunting but have problems of too many deer. Of course it would be expensive to do but if it works it would solve two problems.

[@bigcmcg3946]

As a Yooper I can say that I have never seen so many deer as I have this year. Dozens walk up and down the streets here like crackheads. Massive bucks and tons of doe this year. I keep seeing people saying they see no deer but I have at least 20 per day on camera.

[@u.ppredatorx2394]

Opinions always vary, correct on timber, cut all the trees that deer need and plant pine, coyotes, bears, bobcat play their role in deer numbers but the wolf is the top problem, i remember in 1994 when i started seeing wolves, they have been resurecting them for years, there was a reason our fore fathers decimated them, also a huge factor is youth hunts early, tribal, exstended seasons, the deer dont stand a chance anymore, if wolves arent the problem then why dont they send lots to lower Michigan, all he is a state brainwashed person no different than a politician so long as there is an arguement you will always have a job, i am born and raised in the U.P and hunted since the mid 80s, now i dont hunt deer much i hunt Predators! If coyotes were number one than why did they stop season for three months to let them have pups and raise them then. Their numbers are never close to being correct and never will. So long as the U.P is tied to lower Michigan it will do nothing but decline, its a anchor pulling down one of the best places to be!!!

[@charlescote8391]

He hit sonething....'the deciders...' often ( usually) know very little about that which they decide. I have some property in Delta county. It is 'climax' forest. Nothing green grows below. Controlled logging opens up the canopy, allowing ground growth.

[@williammccaslin4557]

Maybe the wolves have big part of that!! It is not the winters it is the wolves and coyotes!!

[@jmowiscoproud]

Do u guys have the stories on the crop dusters, dusting fully wooded areas and land owners funding dead Whitetail deer?

[@patrickpryal9344]

I quit buying a license 3 years ago because of not seeing any deer. Lots of wolves, but no deer . Hhhmmm, could there be any correlation there !?

[@rabbithomesteading3797]

Well not supporting wildlife conservation with not buying a tag wont help. Not only financially but not supporting with numbers giving non hunters an edge. Do what you want I understand. I dont know if it is a coincidence or not but I cant say it is wolves for sure. Each wolf is like 7lbs of something a day from what I hear but grain in salt I never did my own measurement or could even. lol But NRC seems to be going with votes and most voters are in the LP and dont have to deal with them so I believe most voter are in love with wolves and not dealing with issues. We need non bias biologist making rules and not voters. I also cant prove that and open to being wrong. IDK just what I see and hear.

[@discovertheup]

Jim Hammill told me it's 10 pounds a day that a wolf needs. Ran out of time in the show to add that but I'll have his full interview online soon!

[@gregoryfuzi4745]

I agree for the protection of Heard especially for the area were cwd is a problem.

[@mattn9628]

They used to have a bounty on coyotes. I’d like to see that come back.

[@joebuck906]

Tribal hunting is the most harmful thing on those very important mature Does that he speaks of. This is an issue that needs to be addressed. The state regulations have changed but not the tribal ones. Major issue in the eastern U.P. where 3/4 of the hunters are tribal.

[@chuckbrueck3125]

It's the same way in the west end.

[@joebuck906]

@@chuckbrueck3125 Most tribal hunters in my area don’t even load their gun until December. When the snow pushes the deer in to the winter yards. Some even shoot bucks that have already least their antlers. The tribal season goes in to January.

[@tomyaraschefski6025]

LOVE hunting michigan, but you guys have to go to the one buck rule. We did it in indiana and really helped

[@bradbradshaw-i4n]

the best area in the U.P. is menominee county by far. i use to hunt the U.P. until 30 years ago when i hunted on private land in manistique for 9 days and saw one deer. i then went to delta county and hunted 2 years. in 2 years there i hunted 10 days and saw 4 deer. i have never hunted there again. i don't remember the guys name, he was a deer biologist in michigan but he said most of the cedar swamps in the U.P. have been wiped out. without them the deer can't survive a bad winter. i have hunted 56 years. go back to one buck, no does in the U.P.) for the last 30 years i have hunted on private 80 acres in kalamazoo county. between that and the U.P. it is like night and day. no comparison.

[@muttomaki1]

The NRC rejected UP suggestions (link in other comment). All of them. Jim makes decent sense. I would like to see the data which shows wolves diet is 50% deer. I would guess it is more, especially once deer yard in the winter. The counting of wolves is obviously difficult. Currently counting their tracks and now trail cameras. Imagine counting deer by these methods (the use deer droppings in an area).

[@CoachDriscoll]

I hope he had a lot of data to support what he said because they didn't show it on the program. I think he was making some "generalizations" on the program that may not have been fully substantiated with science, shall we say......

[@gordtaylor4621]

Are there any concerns about cwd?

[@CoachDriscoll]

He mentioned keeping the deer population lower in the regions around WI so that is would stop the spread (it will spread faster in higher populations). The amount of testing has gone down so far that it seems that they really don't care too much about it anymore???

[@Blackbears00]

Leave the does alone in the up outlaw does in archery season as well

[@savagewolf1966]

The DNR say we have to many does in lower Michigan and not enough in U.P. why not trap and move them north.Not lower the tag $ or make a longer season in the lower.

[@rabbithomesteading3797]

I would say money and more important , disease spreading issues make this not an option.

[@bigcmcg3946]

They have no clue what they are talking about. The deer population up here is massive.

[@finallyfriday.]

I'm sure all the taxpayers are willing to support that instead of schools, roads etc.

[@troybizeau5979]

how you been jim i used to work with you. hope your still bow hunting

[@exotictones1054]

I know several people that hunt in the up n most of them say they only saw one deer n it was a buck n they took it out.well eventually that's going to catch up to you somewhere along the way.

[@Blackbears00]

How much money is the dnr getting from insurance companies to keep the deer numbers down

[@michaelbutterworth6556]

Facts

[@danestohler184]

We went to the U.P. to look at a hunting camp for sale,we found more wolf sign than deer sign.,If they would open a wolf season we would go kack...

[@codywhitehead6494]

I have 120 acre deer camp in the western UP and it’s an absolute disgrace what’s it’s become in just 4-5 years let alone the last 15-20. Such a shame. The one thing I really never hear mentioned and I feel is worth mentioning is that us sportsmen ultimately have the control and power to do what we see fitting. It starts with us and ends with us. After all, we are the ones putting in the hours in the woods, actually putting the boots to the ground and the money in the “deciders” pockets…. Next thing, Let that spike or fork walk, stop worrying if the neighbor or next guy will shoot it. We have to stop with that mentality…. If a coyote or wolf presents a shot opportunity, no good reason to pass it up. The deciders will not listen to us, why should we listen to them when they work for us.

[@coldspring624]

Yes the adult does are the number one concern. We as hunters have to roll with conditions and put care over take.

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

One buck tag for the U.P. Is a must

[@jimmyriffe2988]

Didn't wolves get reintroduced?

[@ross7684]

Amazing how every place with wolves now have severely declining deer herds yet the wildlife departments continue to deny the cause and effect.

[@campbenny]

Law makers need to step it up to get a thriving deer herd back again.

[@honeyisthebestdog]

And poachers need to leave the wolves alone. I've seen people with bumper stickers saying I KILL A PACK A DAY and I know they aren't talking about smokes. It's unconscionable.

[@campbenny]

@@honeyisthebestdogyes, they should be able to hunt them without poaching.

[@satanslittlehelper9677]

@@campbennythere’s no need to kill then so you can kill the deer

[@mattn9628]

People who are unaffected or live no where near wolves love them. People who live, or hunt in the up see the damage they do. They should be kept to the 200 that was written in the original wolf management plan. Went bird hunting yesterday and there were wolf tracks everywhere. Near Perkins. Have a deer camp and get 3-5 wolf pics every few days. They’re out of control.

[@campbenny]

@satanslittlehelper9677 a wolf hunting season is necessary.

[@alexandercluster3003]

Pretty insane considering how ridiculously easy whitetail deer are to manage. Struggling to maintain a species the rest of the country has a problem with is unacceptable.

[@donfarmer4020]

What I have seen in 40 years of hunting is a decline in hunters. So over hunting is not the problem. Yes we had bad winters in 95-96. But we had bad winters in the 70s and 80s and even before that. So if it’s not the winters the deer heard has come back from that before. Coyotes have lived in the UP for ever. So it’s not the coyotes. We have had bears in the UP for ever. So if it’s not over hunting, bad weather, coyotes or bears what has changed? Wolves!!!!! The number of wolves the DNR say exist are wrong!! I have talked to an DNR officer and was told this and they know it but they keep reporting the wrong numbers. And the people of the UP know they are not telling the truth. 18 years ago I was an assistant coach on a hockey team and the head coach told me he would never go back to the UP to hunt deer. He said in the previous years he had seen wolves and every year the population was growing. And that season 18 years ago he seen more wolves than he did dear and the dear he seen were being chased by wolves. The reality is weather, bears, coyotes, and hunters take a toll on the deer heard. But the only thing that has changed is wolves and no population control on them!! It was stupid to reintroduce them. It is the only thing that has changed. No one will ever change my mind.

[@scottjones9336]

Raise the price for licenses for out of state ID hunters. Keep it local only.

[@PavelDatsyuk-ui4qv]

Go back to mostly moose with some deer and caribou! Deer hunters dont bring enough money and i thought the idea was to try get back prestine land. Not managed for other motives

[@The-Capitalist]

😂 Caribou

[@PavelDatsyuk-ui4qv]

@@The-Capitalist there's still some just 30 or 40 miles of shore from where iam. Look at the old surveys. I can't post links but we had caribou all the way down to mackinaw city

[@The-Capitalist]

@@PavelDatsyuk-ui4qv In the U.P.?

[@adammucha3917]

I hate to say it, but its not much better here in Wisconsin. I hunt the tigerton/Wittenberg area and also have a lease in bowler. 20 years ago it was nothing to let a nice 14-15 inch 8 point walk by, along with plenty of doe to choose from. Now, its been 3 seasons since ive seen a 2.5 year old buck, even out in distance. Doe are hard to come by due to so many doe tags given out per license, along with several doe only slaughters per season. Not to mention the wolf population is just exploding. Register your deer online, so now hunters feel no need to even register anymore.

[@DwaineStarr]

Jim has forgotten more about deer than most of us will ever know. His assessment of our deer resource right now is spot on and the solutions are also there. I do disagree that a 1 buck tag be in effect for the lake Superior areas only. We should, to maintain a healthy deer herd manage the antlered deer across the entire UP. The WUPCAC has passed a 1 buck resolution for the entire UP and that is in the hands of the DNR. There is also state reps working on a separate nrc for the UP. Dave Preston is one of them.

[@darrenpeterson5381]

I am done hunting in Michigan. I have not seen a deer on camera in over a year, but I see wolves weekly and bears monthly covering 120 acres with 31 cameras

[@garywood2137]

I think the U.P. lost a lot of their hunters when K.I. Sawyer closed.

[@troybizeau5979]

they need to go back to the old tag system one tag for bow and one for gun and get rid of the youth hunt. and no more doe tags, as they got rid of doe tags back in the 60s and did not bring the doe tag back until the mid 80 when the heard was back to high numbers

[@rexrice4496]

With the newly appointed DNR director - don't expect changes for hunters - expect changes for the anti-hunting group. In other words, quit voting Democrat.

[@CoachDriscoll]

Please show me where a republican leader has solved this issue. You can't because politics only goes so far. This is a habitat problem that get's tied up into the almighty dollar. Why don't we go to a "one buck" license...because the DNR would lose money. Why is baiting allowed in the UP (under our democratic governor, senate, and house, I might add) even though years ago it was stated that if CWD were found in either peninsula of the UP, that peninsula would NOT be allowed to bait? Because it would devastate the number of hunters in the UP and cost the DNR, you guessed it, money. You go ahead and vote for whomever you want, I don't care, but don't thing that one side of the aisle is gong to magically fix this issue the minute they take control. Ain't gonna happen.

[@dhand34]

Coyotes breed faster when you hunt them. Hunters are going down in numbers all over the country. Youngsters are more interested in video games. As CWD infects more humans, that number will drop a whole lot faster Study after study shows wolf populations rise and fall with prey populations.

[@RamBo-uu9so]

Look, I have hunted in the UP since 1976. I hear all the nonsense about not seeing deer. Poaching is a high problem. Next, is a the ORVs on the two tracks. I'm retired, I drove on the two tracks for many, many months. I saw 2 deer. I baited, set up a camera and filmed dozens of deer in my hunting area. The last 3 years I've seen and shot more deer than all the other years since 1976.

[@nathanbabcock8800]

At risk?? It's already destroyed!!

[@donbriggs8234]

It's a shame all these people qualified in a DNR give us give a 10 doe permission 2 bucks tags they're going to have the people ruin it for themselves all these animals being took instead of letting it be a common sense number ten doe tags is a little bit ridiculous

[@elgatol4203]

Not the best idea to interrupt the opening song with a commercial

[@discovertheup]

Thanks for letting me know! I fixed it. KZbin was being good about only putting ads in the natural breaks but looks like they started sneaking them in right there again when I wasn't paying attention.

[@donbriggs8234]

I believe the wolves are a big problem my uncle Ray us to live in Gould City he had the outfitting business you did good but then they introduced the wolves did you put a big damper on a deer I know there's other predators alter that killed dear put the the wolves have got out of control

[@RamBo-uu9so]

I watched 3 wolves trailing a doe from my blind. They were not successful on that hunt. I see many wolves in my hunting area. We need wolves, period.

[@TonyLaux-r1n]

The DNR regulate the deer heard by the amout of revenue they need

[@michaelg8642]

Predators arent the problem, its just poor forest management period. If wolves were the problem, then the frontiersmen who explored America back in the day wouldnt have described the massive herds of animals they saw even while wolves were thriving and abundant.

[@Trinitystillmyname]

I smell a rat. Jim is a shining example of what is WRONG in the U.P. I love his " predators do what they do" dismissive/ ignorant statement. Wake up boomers! Winters eb and flow in severity. But wolves and predators have been given premium attention and management. Deer are a after thought , and rarely are " managed " or protected by the DNR. If you disagree, then ask this. Since the forced inception of protected predator status wolves have enjoyed. When has the deer herd improved?

[@JoeyTheGreat]

Need wolf trapping

[@CoachDriscoll]

Perhaps the worst misrepresentation of "data" I've ever seen in an outdoor program. To start, he says that the "deciders" (he never identifies them) "certainly know nothing about Upper Peninsula culture" (2:50-2:58 in the episode). That claim is simply ridiculous! How can one make such a statement with a straight face? "Know NOTHING"???? Next, at 3:42 he says there are places where "that is not true" in referencing hunter loss. Please tell me where these are? Identify them, specifically and provide hard numbers. Without them, he is just another talking head speaking to a camera without any data to back up his words. Numbers are down nationwide. Sure a pocket here or there may have an increase but those are anomalies. And big bucks attract hunters. He then talks about that "thousands of acres" that have sold because "there's no more deer." Please tell me where these places are....where the entire area is devoid of deer at all times of the year? Numbers are lower than is the past, I'm with him, but such a horrible blanket statement is just sad, especially coming from an ex-scientist . Also, who bought these lands? Non-hunters? At 5:21 a chart that shows the number of deer HARVESTED is shown while he talks about the total POPULATION of deer. This is an 'apples to oranges' comparison, especially as they readily admit that hunter numbers are going down, so of course deer harvested will go down. Basic data misrepresentation. He then gives a history lessen of high deer numbers and then bad winters and how the herd never recovered. But this biologist not once uses the term "carrying capacity" to help explain the problem. Carrying capacity is the MOST IMPORTANT aspect of this discussion! The reason for massive die offs in bad winters is because the deer population was OVER the carrying capacity! Later, he complains that the DNR has no "population goal" for the deer in the UP. When asked what he thinks it should be, he dodges the question completely--classic politician move--and says it should be based on "buck hunter success rates" and suggest 30% ( 7:50) . Huh? That is just silly. That is a social goal, not a biological one, and certainly not a "Population Goal"! (My biology background suggest that the goal for deer in ALL parts of the state should be to keep the deer herd around the carrying capacity for that area. It varies tremendously even in the UP. That's why there are different Deer Management Units--DMU's"--because each area has a different carrying capacity and various biotic factors that effect deer populations. One strategy does not fit all, as he DOES mention throughout the program. He then says due to people wanting to hunt bears we can't harvest more. No idea if this is true or not and he offers no research or studies to back up this statement (more politician talk) and he ends the predator speech by saying (11:10) that people who "revere wolves outnumber by far those that disdain wolves". Again, he says this with no data whatsoever. My last comment would be that is seems laughable that there is no mention of climate change. How a science-based interview can talk about "long term sustainability" and goals, and neglect to mention this topic is beyond me. I will throw Mr. Hammill a bone and know that the editors of the program may have cut out much more of the interview including some parts that I mentioned above. But overall, this program gets a science grade of a "F" for unsubstantiated claims and incomplete biologic discussion.

[@Blackbears00]

Loggers are destroying our deer herd

[@GeeBee1261]

We should make hunting illegal. And hunters should do serious time not just fines.

[@discovertheup]

I think you're on the wrong channel here. Where are you going to fit 16 million hunters in jail?

[@GeeBee1261]

@@discovertheupI left my comment on this channel because it presents hunting as a legitimate, even beneficial, activity. But I have a different perspective. Hunting isn’t just unnecessary; in my view, it's one of the lowest forms of human activity. There are far better, more ethical approaches to managing wildlife and keeping deer populations stable. Presenting hunting as something nice or even enjoyable is, to me, like turning war into a video game. It glamorizes and trivializes something that’s inherently violent and destructive. Wildlife management can and should focus on humane, non-lethal methods that respect animal life, maintaining ecological balance without promoting the idea that taking life is a positive or ‘natural’ pastime.

[@discovertheup]

I respect everyone's opinions and you're entitled to your own opinion. Hunting is a culture and way of life for many people, especially people in the Upper Peninsula, and not just a form of wildlife management. I understand it is not for everyone. It is by no means trivial, violent or destructive. Animal lives are taken by the thousands every day to stock the freezers of fast food restaurants and store shelves. I find moral and ethical hunting a much more humane way to treat and respect an animal versus rapidly growing it in a cage. I also find wild game to be a much healthier and better tasting source of food. I'm sure you know, humans are omnivores, and were originally hunter/gatherers, so you cannot say it isn't a natural pastime. What non-lethal methods do you suggest for managing an area that is overpopulated with deer?

[@GeeBee1261]

@@discovertheup Thank you for your insightful response. I agree that while humans are naturally omnivores with the capacity to consume both animal and plant products, our choice to prioritize foods that don’t cause harm or death aligns better with a humane approach to consumption. The notion of “hunting as culture” does seem problematic when we consider that cultural practices have been used to justify harmful acts, from slavery in the 1800s to practices like bullfighting in Spain and child marriage in certain countries today. Similarly, female genital mutilation has been defended as a cultural norm in some areas, despite its clear harm. Just as these practices are unacceptable, so too is the unnecessary killing of defenseless animals. Eating meat for survival is not justifiable because we have proven time and time again that it is not the case. With over 39 years as a pharmacist, I've seen the significant impact of diet on health. Research consistently demonstrates that diets high in animal products are often linked to a shorter life expectancy and higher risk of chronic diseases, whereas plant-based diets are associated with longer lifespans and better overall health. Plant-based eating patterns not only reduce the risk of heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes but also promote vitality and a higher quality of life as we age. There are many viable, non-lethal strategies for managing deer populations that reflect a more compassionate approach: Habitat Modification: Modifying landscapes to make them less attractive to deer by planting deer-resistant vegetation and reducing high-quality food sources can help keep deer populations dispersed rather than concentrated near human areas. Fertility Control: Methods like immunocontraceptives and surgical sterilization can be used to control deer reproduction. Public Education and Awareness: Educating communities about not feeding deer, planting deer-resistant gardens, and using fences can also prevent unintentional encouragement of overpopulation. Fencing and Repellents: Physical barriers and repellents can effectively keep deer out of specific areas like gardens and crops, reducing the need for hunting and supporting peaceful coexistence with wildlife. And most importantly a conversation that recognizes hunting as both inhumane and unnecessary, emphasizing that there are more effective and compassionate ways to address the issue. Thank you

[@yooperguy8585]

Mismanaged

[@wadebartholomew7436]

The problem is just because there is licenses to kill deer. You as a hunter has to decide to kill or not. Us hunters have to protect our herd for future hunts. Not kill them off. You as a hunter has to regulate your area. Don't let the DNR decide your hunting future. Do your best to decide how you hunt this season.

[@larryharris1163]

I know Jim, hes our closest neighbor, we hunt the the same region. What Ive seen since mid 90's was harsh winters and that same time period the reintroduction of Wolves. Haveing to many predators and harsh winters = A devistated Deer herd, cant have both! What has to happen immediately, like yesterday in my opinion seeing an abundancey of Wolf tracks in our area, is the DNR and Feds had better get there head out of there rear and get the preditors like "WOLVES" under control! Its been 30 years ongoing with this problem. Deer numbers going down, Wolf numbers going up. As long as these liberal tree hugging democrats are running the show there will be 0 changes made. These people in power mostly live in the lower part of the state and really shouldnt have as much say in whats best for the U.P. It should be left up mostly to the U.P. tax payers/hunters to decide what decisions are made there! Jim says most people are for the Wolves then not, he must be talking about mostly tree huggers in the lower I'd assume. Everyone in the U.P. I talk with that hunts, want them gone! No need for them! I dont have faith in my life time Ill see any change in Deer herd numbers because these liberals with deep pockets dictate how systems are run. They are smarter than everyone else, just ask em. We can tell this by the direction our country is going. Right down the shitter! Its just a damn shame for the future of our youth hunters. But what a great way for a gun control agenda to work!! Lets discourage the young people. So so pissed off. Better overwhelmingly vote republican!! But probably wont matter with the stealing of our elections though! Happy hunting or bird watching everyone!

[@CoachDriscoll]

I hope Jim was misrepresented in the program because he came off less than an expert. And for the "tree huggers" running the show and making all the decisions, can you please explain to me where the GOP has stepped up and help solve this problem? Can you explain how Trump wanting to get rid of clean water and clean air protections of those bipartisan acts are going to help our environment? Can you explain how drilling for more oil--a finite resource that WILL run out--is going to help lessen the impact of climate change? Of course you can't. Don't make this political issue. The wolves are on the Federal Endangered Species list because PETA and the like have deep pockets and are tying things up in the courts, but if they can overturn Roe vs Wade, why can't the GOP get the UP wolves off of that list. I'll wait......

[@hntnfsh4life]

I have lots of family in Baraga and they hate them!!!

[@muskiefishing9219]

The people that revear wolves are the people that don't have to deal with the issue associated with the damage wolves can have on other animal populations. These populations of animals are a good source of food for humans. Wolves are just a waste of these food resources. Years ago people got rid of the wolves for a reason. This generation doesn't understand what that reason is. . So there are goings to have to relearn the issues associated with wolf, over populations. Wolves are no different than packs of wild dogs running loose. They do the same damage to wildlife, and even livestock. And nobody will tolerate wild dogs. We shouldn't have to tolerate wild predators that threaten our lives and or lively hoods. I know if our government wasn't so corrupt, which is holding farm produce prices down. A lot more people would be farming. And raising beef. What do you think wolves did to farmers raising beef or dairy cattle a hundred years ago. I can tell you right now, farming is going to become popular again soon. As soon as they get rid of the corrupt in Washington DC. Coming soon.

[@dustinmagnuson9274]

So just disregard the increasing wolf population?

[@TheYeti308]

Mismanagement and over regulation has killed the sport in my State . No Longer Fun Anymore . ! smh .

[@chasemajor7484]

This guy failed his job. And failed us that live in michigan.. he's joke

[@jimquinn5784]

Didn't mention the biggest predator, violators. Manage hunters not deer.

[@wdtaut5650]

10:42 The DNR does not have to "manage" the wolves. If they just ignore wolves, people will manage them. It's a Federal judge who said the state can't touch wolves. Let the Feds enforce their rules not, the state. 12:20 What happened to the Deer Range Improvement Program, known as DRIP? I thought that was supposed to answer this issue. 17:15 The DNR used to have the Winter Severity Index, which estimated how hard the winter was on the deer population. Whatever happened to that?

[@WilliamKabelman-rf5wq]

Yes the upper peninsula deer herd is very very low because of over hunting by lower peninsula residents! The upper peninsula needs to pass a law to allow only U.P resident only for at least 10 years