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With fewer hunters to manage their numbers, deer populations have soared. Currently, Michigan hosts over 2 million deer, making it the second-highest population nationally. The overpopulation leads to increased competition for food, especially during lean seasons, resulting in starvation and environmental degradation.
Brant Rudolph, a management specialist with the DNR, explains how this overabundance of deer affects ecosystems. Overpopulated herds browse heavily on shrubs and young trees, creating stark clear lines in the foliage where deer can reach. Moreover, dense deer populations can promote the spread of diseases such as chronic wasting disease and bovine tuberculosis, posing risks to other wildlife and even livestock.