The Department of Natural Resources wildlife officials remind hunters that the DNR would like to check as many deer as possible during all the deer seasons to continue gathering critical data of Michigan's deer herd. The data is important for monitoring the herd's health and determining population size.

During all deer seasons, deer can be checked at DNR Operation Service Centers from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday (except state holidays). Other check stations are only open on specific days. For more details, see the list of DNR Deer Check Stations for the 2011 Deer Season.

The last day to check your deer will be Jan. 6, 2012.

The DNR will test any deer that is identified as "suspect" for chronic wasting disease (CWD) and bovine tuberculosis (TB). The DNR will also collect samples of deer from areas where disease concerns have been identified, which include the five counties in the Northeastern Lower Peninsula within the TB area, as well as Iosco, Shiawassee, Cheboygan, and Emmet counties.