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Conservation in Action: Support your Outdoors and Community at "DOEnation Metro Detroit"

Writer's picture: Dan CookeDan Cooke

Whitetail Deer Season in Michigan may have reached its final week, BUT there's still plenty of time left to contribute to charitable conservation at Doe Patrol's inaugural "DOEnation Metro Detroit" event this Saturday, January 25th!

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Michigan - especially Southeast Michigan - is a beautiful hunting paradox.


Our region is literally and figuratively overrun with an abundant natural resource: whitetail deer. Specifically female whitetail deer, or "does." So much so that leading up to the 2024-25 hunting season, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources practically begged hunters to pass on male "buck" deer and target does.


Why? Because for several years now, our regional deer population has skyrocketed while our hunter population has steadily plummeted. The statewide deer population is estimated at 2 million deer, a 200% increase from the 1940s (overpopulation was even seen as a problem back then). Spurred on by warmer climates, suburbanization, and hunter decreases, this ballooning population caused over 58,000 car accidents and a 59.6% increase in crop damage last year. The oversized herds also wreak havoc on forest floors, including the decimation of essential young trees, wildflowers, and plants for warding off invasive species.


In response, the DNR has unveiled several tactics for encouraging the harvest of antlerless deer this season, including a new extended antlerless firearm season lasting from January 2nd to 12th. That policy change rides on the momentum generated by similar relaxed hunting policies enacted in recent years, including an unprecedented "urban archery season" that is still in effect in the Detroit region through January 31st.


Now, the good news. Michigan's hunters have clearly heeded the call and harvested 141,704 antlerless deer so far this season. Seasons past exhibited Michigan hunters harvesting 1 doe for every 3 bucks - the worst ratio in the Great Lakes region. This season so far, thankfully, has a 1:1.1 ratio (gold standard is 1:1). A notable proportion of those doe harvests have occurred since the start of the New Year, statistically illustrating the effectiveness of the extended season.


Well done, hunters and DNR policymakers - but our work as conservationists and advocates doesn't end in the field. Especially in Southeast Michigan, we have an unprecedented opportunity to marry Michigan's herd management needs with Metro Detroit's significant food insecurity needs. Over 38% of the combined population of Wayne, Macomb, and Oakland counties is unable to meet all their basic necessities, including food, housing, childcare, transportation, and healthcare. When faced with such dire needs, nutritious food often becomes treated as a luxury and therefore immediately cut from the payroll.

That's where we as hunters with extra tags and longer seasons can step in. Especially with organizations like Doe Patrol leading the charge in bringing high quality venison to Metro Detroit families in need.

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MEET DOE PATROL: Where Conservation Meets Philanthropy

Give a man a fish and he’ll eat for a day, teach a man to fish and he will eat the rest of his life. This quote attributed to ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu applies to the entirety of the outdoor recreational arena, where knowledge, skill, and resiliency pave the road to success.


For our friends at Doe Patrol - a West Michigan-based nonprofit that has provided over 5,000 pounds of venison since 2020 - this quote defines the core of their operational philosophy. Beyond processing and donating venison for free, Doe Patrol aims to teach new and veteran hunters alike on the benefits of hunting, processing, utilizing dog trackers, and harnessing local resources for maximizing every animal harvest.


Doe Patrol brings their calling to fruition via sponsoring several events throughout the calendar year. In 2024, these events included their "Doe Camp" social processing event, special educational sessions on processing for small groups, and larger educational processing events throughout the whitetail season. Doe Patrol's hallmark event - DOEnation Day - featured additional festivities like largest and smallest doe competitions, featured speakers, giveaways, raffles, door prizes, and provided food & drink. Oh, and processing a lot of charitable venison.


All of the aforementioned events have occurred on the west side of the state.


That finally changes this Saturday, January 25th, in Clarkston.

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Image courtesy of Doe Patrol

INTRODUCING DOE PATROL'S "DOEnation Metro Detroit" EVENT

Alright, let's bring all the pieces together. You're now an expert on why doe maintenance is so important for Michigan's natural environment and social needs, how Michigan's hunting community is playing an active role in alleviating these pain points, and who is leading the charge in both providing venison to those in need and educating the next generation of sustainable processors.


Now we turn to the most exciting aspect of this article for Detroit's charitable hunting community: where and when you can get involved.


THIS SATURDAY, JANUARY 25TH IN CLARKSTON, Doe Patrol will be hosting their first "DOEnation Metro Detroit" event from 3 to 10PM! Open to all, this rendition of DOEnation will feature a largest and smallest doe competition, raffle drawings, door prizes, and complimentary food and drink.


What's entirely new for DOEnation Metro Detroit, however, includes that everyone who donates will receive a free t-shirt and that a keynote presenter will be speaking on tracking.


All of the venison donated at DOEnation Metro Detroit will be further donated to Neighborhood House, a Rochester-based nonprofit that distributes about 200,000 meals annually to local families in need. While every food pantry serving Metro Detroit is both incredible and impactful, Neighborhood House's operations uniquely align with the ethos of Doe Patrol in that their goal is to enable self-sustainability for their donees, not just temporary satiation.


More specifically, Neighborhood House's assistance services include meal service, clothing provision, rent and utility assistance, counseling, transportation, and educational classes. As a "Client Choice" food pantry, the organization's food delivery process includes having clients choose their own food selections instead of simply handing out boxes of pre-packaged food. Neighborhood House also provides home food delivery to clients who are homebound or without access to transportation.


Friends, events like DOEnation Metro Detroit - and charitable organizations like Doe Patrol and Neighborhood House - are exactly why Team Expedition Detroit is so passionate about hunting in the Great Lakes State. Ethical hunting produces near limitless opportunities to improve our communities. From environmental sustainability to full freezers, hunters have both the privilege and responsibility of utilizing their passion for the benefit of all.


How awesome is that. And how grateful are we for organizations like Doe Patrol for facilitating how all of us can channel conservation into charitable action.

 

Expedition Detroit is proud to promote the social and charitable activities of Doe Patrol West Michigan and Doe Patrol Metro Detroit. If you operate a nonprofit or charitable organization that benefits the Detroit region's outdoor recreational ecosystem or natural environment, please contact us via info@expeditiondetroit.com for collaboration opportunities.

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