From the Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources & Environment

-- Michigan’s DNRE has invited public participation in the deer management planning process. Throughout February and March, eight public open house meetings will be held to discuss the draft of the deer management plan.

Public open house locations and dates:

Feb. 23, MDOT Southwest Regional Office, 1501 E. Kilgore Rd., Kalamazoo

Feb. 25, Novi Community Center, 45175 W. 10 Mile, Novi

March 2, Alpena Civic Center, 133 Johnson St., Alpena

March 3, Cadillac High School All Purpose Room, 400 Linden, Cadillac

March 9, Comfort Inn, 13954 State Highway M-28, Newberry

March 10, Forest Park Elementary School, Multi Purpose Rm., 810 Forest Parkway, Crystal Falls (6 to 8 p.m.)

March 16, Quality Inn, 3121 East Grand River Ave., Lansing

March 18, Northwood University, Sloan Building, Rm. 210, 4000 Whiting Dr., Midland

All meetings will be from 7 to 9 p.m. with the exception of the Crystal Falls meeting from 6 to 8 p.m.

During open houses, the first draft of the Deer Management Plan will be made available to read and comment on. The citizen-based Deer Advisory Team, DNRE staff and others involved with the recommendations create the document.  The open house portion will focus solely on the draft plan, however, local staff will be available after the meeting for other deer questions.

The plan is available for review on the DNR Web site under www.michigan.gov/dnrhunting.

Individuals may also submit written comments by e-mail or U.S. mail. Send comments to  John Niewoonder, DNRE Wildlife Division, P.O. Box 30444, Lansing, MI 48909,  e-mail remarks to dnr-wld-wild@michigan.gov.