While the fall in participation has occurred in Michigan — and nationwide — for some time, this year the DNR reports that only 19 fewer purchased hunting licenses than last year, totaling 456,100. Below is a county map of total deer harvested in 2023, and the change from 2022.

The dividing line between the northern zone and the southern limited firearms deer zone starts at Lake Michigan and generally runs along M-46 and M-57 across the state, ending at Saginaw Bay near Kawkawlin. The exact line is available in the state's deer hunting regulations.