The Natural Resources Commission and Department of Natural Resources Director Rebecca Humphries approved several changes to the Wildlife Conservation Order at the May meeting of the NRC in Lansing.

The NRC approved an amendment authorizing veterans with 100% disability or those determined as individually unemployable as rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to participate in the youth firearm deer season in September and the October disabled deer season. The amendment also adds the Thursday and Friday prior to the third weekend in October to the disabled hunt.

"This amendment will provide increased opportunities for disabled hunters without adversely affecting the resource," said Michael Bailey, Wildlife Division Species Management Section supervisor.

The NRC also expanded opportunities for antlerless deer harvest. The season limit of three private land antlerless deer licenses per hunter was increased to five. The regulation that a hunter may purchase up to two private land antlerless deer licenses from Zones 1 and 2 combined remains unchanged from last year.

"The change to allow five antlerless deer to be harvested on private land per hunter will substantially increase hunting opportunities in the southern Lower Peninsula," Bailey said.

Director Humphries approved the issuance of private land antlerless licenses through an application and lottery system for northern Lower Michigan counties and the Upper Peninsula.

"Previously, private land antlerless licenses were sold over the counter, but many of the counties in northern Michigan sold out on the first day of availability," said Bailey. "An application allows everyone wanting a private land antlerless license an equal chance at obtaining one."

Also approved was an early firearm antlerless deer season to address disease and deer population issues in Zone 3 and in Alpena, Alcona, Iosco, Montmorency, Oscoda and Presque Isle counties. The season will be open for five days on private lands only beginning the third Thursday in September.

"The recent confirmation of bovine tuberculosis in Shiawassee and Iosco county deer necessitates additional steps to address this disease," said Steve Schmitt, DNR wildlife veterinarian. "A five-day antlerless season on private land provides additional opportunity to help decrease TB prevalence in those areas."

The five-day season in southern Michigan also offers additional opportunity for licensed hunters in other areas where deer populations remain above the desired goal.