Michigan Deer Hunting Digest 2023-2024: A Complete Guide!

The Department of Natural Resources has released the Michigan Deer Hunting Digest 2023, which offers hunters the most latest season dates, rules, and details necessary to prepare for upcoming deer hunts. Before heading out into the woods this season, hunters should check the annual digest, which includes important information on licensing, chronic wasting disease monitoring, hunting zone borders, and permissible guns.

The digest is a crucial resource for one of the most well-liked outdoor leisure pursuits in Michigan. This article will highlight all the information from the 2023 edition that hunters need to know in order to hunt deer effectively, securely, and legally. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or first-time hunter, be sure to thoroughly read and understand the newest version of the Michigan deer digest before the season opens.

Michigan Deer Season 2023

Early Antlerless Firearm Season, which runs from late September through early October, is a great time to hunt deer. It’s a great opportunity for first-time hunters to go hunting. The Liberty and Independence Hunt is a special September-October hunting season for young hunters and veterans. This is a great chance for beginners and veterans to get back into hunting. Michigan’s hunting season peaks in November with the Regular Firearm Season. Anyone may hunt a big buck or doe during this peak hunting season. Late Antlerless Firearm Season: Doe and fawn hunters should hunt in December. Hunters may have a successful season finale around this time. In January, muzzleloader hunters may participate in Michigan Muzzleloader Season. At this time of year, shooting deer or bucks is easy. It’s a unique and challenging hunting approach.

General Deer season

Michigan muzzleloader season 2023-2024

Following are some specific guidelines regarding muzzleloader hunting in Michigan:

• The regular muzzleloader hunting season in Michigan is from December 1 to 10, 2023, for Zones 1, 2, and 3.
• Black powder or a commercially produced black powder alternative must be used to load muzzleloaders.
• Deer muzzleloader hunters in Michigan may only bring a crossbow into the field during the state’s December muzzleloader hunting season (with the exception of the Upper Peninsula).
• Only muzzleloading rifles are permitted to be used during the muzzleloading season in the northern Lower Peninsula and Upper Peninsula.
• There is no minimum allowed caliber for muzzleloader deer shooting in Michigan.

Early Deer Seasons in Michigan 2023

A series of deer hunting seasons will start in Michigan in 2023 with the early doe season and early antlerless season, both of which are restricted to private properties in the Lower Peninsula and set for September 16–17. These consist of the Independence Hunt and Liberty Hunt, which will take place in 2023 on October 19–22 and September 9–10, respectively. For complete compliance and a successful hunting experience, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources recommends hunters to carefully review the specific dates and regulations for each season they plan to participate in to ensure compliance and a successful hunting experience.

Liberty Hunt in Michigan

The Liberty Hunt in Michigan is planned for September 9–10, 2023, and is intended just for youth and hunters with disabilities. Along with the Independence Hunt and the Early Antlerless Firearm season, this special hunt is part of Michigan’s early deer hunting seasons.

Youth Hunts in Michigan 2023

Elk Season

Moose Season

Pronghorn Season

Approved Michigan Deer Regulations 2023-2025 Hunting Seasons

Other MI Deer Hunting Regulations

• Michigan deer baiting is legal in Michigan from September 15 through January 1 of 2023, with the exception of the Lower Peninsula, where it is not allowed. Five days prior to the start of the hunting season, eligible hunters may start baiting for the Liberty Hunt. Notably, despite the fact that the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has altered a number of hunting laws in order to improve possibilities for the forthcoming season, deer baiting is not included in those revisions. To guarantee adherence to Michigan’s baiting laws, hunters are encouraged to research the guidelines applicable to each season and locality.

• Michigan shooting hours for Deer hunting 2023 normally range from dawn to dusk. There are, however, certain exceptions, like the Liberty Hunt, when hunting is permitted from 30 minutes before dawn to 30 minutes after dusk. The permissible shooting hours for deer hunting in Michigan in 2023 may be found by reviewing the appropriate rules that apply to each hunting season and region. This will help to assure adherence to the set hours.

• Obtaining a hunting license and deer hunting tag in Michigan is mandatory for each hunter.

• Early antlerless firearm season, regular firearm season, and muzzleloader season are the customary divisions of Michigan’s deer hunting season.

• Deer hunting in Michigan is regulated by bag restrictions that change with the season and the kind of deer being pursued.

• For certain seasons and locations in the Great Lakes State, antler point limits are in effect.

• In order to avoid creating a situation where deer and other animals are artificially concentrated, laws prohibiting the practice of baiting and feeding are in place during hunting seasons.

• Hunting deer over bait piles or on property where bait has been put or distributed within the previous 10 days is prohibited.

• During hunting seasons, it is illegal to pursue or kill certain kinds of protected wildlife or certain living animals.

• In order to lawfully hunt in Michigan, hunters must first complete hunter education and training courses.

• Wearing the proper safety gear and adhering to all safety requirements are highly advocated for all hunters.

• When an incident occurs during hunting, sportsmen must notify the state game warden or conservation officer in their area promptly.

• It is against the law to use a plane or helicopter to pursue or drive a deer.

• Deer must be tagged as soon as possible after being killed and before being transported.

• Centerfire rifles are restricted to designated shooting ranges in the state of Michigan.

• Except for a small number of disabled hunters, it is against the law to use a semi-automatic rifle when hunting deer.

• Deer hunting with any kind of silencer or suppressor is illegal.

• Late in the weapon season, bowhunting for deer is prohibited.

• Deer cannot be hunted using a muzzleloader that can only fire a single round.

• Smokeless-powder handguns must fulfill certain requirements. Straight-walled.35-caliber or larger cartridges are required. The barrel and magazine of these firearms cannot hold more than nine bullets.

• Rifles have to use straight-walled cartridges and be.35-caliber or larger. Cartridges should be 1.16 to 1.80 inches long.

• Hunting deer north of the restricted weapon deer zone is authorized with any firearm except a.22-caliber or smaller rimfire rifle or pistol.

Deer Hunting Licenses

The first step in getting ready for Michigan’s Deer Season is to get a hunting license. Deer hunting in Michigan may require both a general hunting license and a specific deer hunting license. You may get one via an approved licensing agent or online through the DNR website in Michigan. Also, special licenses or tags may be needed for access to some hunting regions. Hunters can find complete list of license details on the eregulations website and also should educate up on the local rules and laws.

Michigan Doe Permits and Antlerless Deer

The following information about doe hunting and antlerless deer licenses in Michigan:

• Antlerless Deer Hunting Access Permit: This permit is only valid in the mid-U.P. DMUs (Deer Management Units), and the application period is from July 15 to August 15, 2023.

• Reserved Deer Hunt Permit: Similar to the previous, the application window for reserved deer hunt licenses will be open from July 15 through August 15, 2023.

• Universal Antlerless Deer License: Hunting antlerless deer on public or private property in any deer management area that allows hunting is permitted with this license, which is valid for both citizens and non-residents.

• Youth Hunters: From July 15 through August 15, 2023, young hunters who are 16 years old or younger may acquire antlerless deer permits at the counter. The auction of any remaining licenses will start in September.

• Not Necessarily Required: In Michigan, obtaining an antlerless deer license is not strictly mandatory for most deer hunters.

• All deer hunting seasons in Michigan, including archery, regular firearm, muzzleloader, and late antlerless firearm, are covered by these antlerless deer licenses. If hunters want to hunt in Michigan, they must examine the precise dates, the rules for each season, and the specifications for getting antlerless deer licenses in order to assure compliance.

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Michigan Hunting Season General Information 2023

Deer hunters also face DNR changes. Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Senate Bill 52, decreasing the penalty for not reporting a deer harvest. Failure to report deer harvests within 72 hours included a $500 fine, a misdemeanor prosecution, and prison time. The revised measure caps the cost at $150 and removes the misdemeanor threat. The DNR’s eLicense system lets hunters submit harvest statistics. Hunters will pay less and not be penalized for small mistakes.

For Complete list of games in Michigan Hunting Digest 2023 you may review the Michigan hunting season page and explore all the regulations, latest season dates, bag limits and more.

FAQs related to Michigan Deer Hunting Season

For complete details on all hunting season you may read our article MI Hunting Season 2023.

Source: Michigan Hunting Digest

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John Lewis

John Lewis, the passionate founder of HuntingSeasons.org, is committed to promoting responsible hunting and a profound love for the wilderness. With years of expertise, his platform serves as a reliable guide for hunting enthusiasts, advocating ethical practices and nature preservation.

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