The National Deer Association (NDA) is investing in the future of deer herds in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula by improving winter range conditions in the Hiawatha and Ottawa National Forests. This work will provide much-needed browse near established deer wintering areas, supporting herd health and survival during the long, harsh winters. These improvements are part of a broader commitment to conservation on public lands and represent a major step forward in the NDA’s mission to support wild deer, enhance wildlife habitat, and protect our hunting traditions through the Public Lands Initiative (PLI).
Enhancement efforts will take place in strategic locations near well-known deer wintering complexes (DWCs), where improvements will have the greatest impact. Through various methods, the intentional removal of trees will promote early seral and young forest habitat, which are full of early successional vegetation and provide great browse opportunities for deer. Commercial timber harvest, establishment of wildlife openings, and restoration through the planting of young trees will create abundant food sources.
“Often, in northern climates like the Upper Peninsula, the difference between a sustainable deer population and one that periodically crashes is habitat. It’s not physiology. Deer are built to withstand harsh winters,” said Matt Ross, NDA Senior Director of Conservation. “However, herds that endure conditions like that need suitable distribution and quantity of winter cover, and they need lots of quality browse available within a short distance of that cover.”
By placing high-quality food near DWCs, deer in the area will gain access to critical winter nutrition, which will increase survival rates and overall herd health. These habitat improvements will also create a diverse early successional landscape that supports a wide range of wildlife species, enhances forest resilience, and promotes overall ecosystem health.
This investment falls under a comprehensive agreement in which the NDA will support several National Forests (NF) across the Eastern Region, including Hiawatha and Ottawa. In the Hiawatha NF, the NDA plans to complete 2,164 acres of timber sale preparation and administration, 991 acres of site preparation, and 720 acres of reforestation. In the Ottawa NF, planned work includes a minimum of 206 acres of non-commercial aspen removal, 25 acres of wildlife opening reclamation, 2 miles of roadwork, 785 acres of commercial timber sale and over 30,000 acres of forest inventory. This work is made possible through the dedicated U.S. Forest Service (USFS) employees within these two Forests, as well as two new full-time foresters hired by the NDA to meet the growing demands of habitat enhancement in the area. With the help of new staff and a dedicated community, the NDA is hopeful that habitat work in these forests will continue to grow.
“The NDA is excited and proud to invest in this long-term project with the Forest Service in Michigan,” said Ross. “The Great Lake State has a strong history of deer hunting tradition, forest stewardship and passionate NDA volunteers and members. Our vision combines each of those elements in the U.P., by doing what we can to improve public land available to all stakeholders over the next two decades.”
This latest effort builds on a previous, highly successful project as part of a historic agreement, when NDA partnered with both U.P.-based Forest’s in a standalone contract. This was the first time the NDA worked with two NFs together on a single project to improve wildlife habitat. The NDA has completed nearly all the goals of that seven-year agreement in just three years, once again demonstrating the efficiency and impact of the PLI. The accomplishments of that effort included 1,457 acres of timber marking in the Hiawatha NF and 675 acres of timber marking along with 12,431 acres of timber inventory in the Ottawa NF. The ability to complete these goals in such a short amount of time helped lead to this new agreement, focused on improving conditions for deer during the most critical time of year.
This endeavor showcases how the PLI delivers measurable benefits for all who have a stake in our public lands. The NDA’s work alongside the USFS provides boots-on-the-ground wildlife habitat projects that improve conditions for deer herd health, which in turn increases hunter satisfaction on our NFs. These collaborative efforts will leave a lasting impact, ensuring that our public lands continue to sustain healthy deer populations, vibrant ecosystems, and unforgettable hunting opportunities for generations to come. Thanks to the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund for financial support of NDA’s PLI, which aims to address access, hunting, and forest health issues across North America.