A large and diverse population of white-tailed deer calls Michigan home, making it a popular hunting destination. This article provides a concise overview of the regulations, dates, and other details you’ll need to know for deer hunting in Michigan in the next year. Deer hunting techniques, seasons, and other related information will be covered. Everything you need to know to go on a successful deer hunt in Michigan for the 2023-2024 seasons is included in this article.
Michigan Deer Hunting Season
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 Muzzleloader Season. At this time of year, shooting deer or bucks is easy. It’s a unique and challenging hunting approach.
Deer season
| Michigan Deer Season | Hunting Start Date | Hunting End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Liberty Hunt (Youth and Hunters With Disabilities) | Saturday, September 09, 2023 | Sunday, September 10, 2023 |
| Early Antlerless Firearm | Saturday, September 16, 2023 | Sunday, September 17, 2023 |
| Independence Hunt (Hunters With Disabilities) | Thursday, October 19, 2023 | Sunday, October 22, 2023 |
| Archery | 1-Oct | 14-Nov |
| 1-Dec | 1-Jan | |
| Regular Firearm | 15-Nov | 30-Nov |
| Muzzleloading (Zone 1) | 2-Dec | 11-Dec |
| Muzzleloading (Zone 2) | 2-Dec | 11-Dec |
| Muzzleloading (Zone 3) | 2-Dec | 11-Dec |
| Late Antlerless Firearm | 12-Dec | 1-Jan |
Elk Season
| Michigan Elk Season | Hunting Start Date | Hunting End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Plains archery elk season | Saturday, September 02, 2023 | Saturday, September 30, 2023 |
| Monday, September 02, 2024 | Monday, September 30, 2024 | |
| Plains muzzleloader elk season | Saturday, September 09, 2023 | Sunday, September 17, 2023 |
| Saturday, September 14, 2024 | Sunday, September 22, 2024 | |
| First regular rifle elk season | Saturday, October 14, 2023 | Wednesday, October 18, 2023 |
| Saturday, October 12, 2024 | Wednesday, October 16, 2024 | |
| Second regular rifle deer and elk combined season | Saturday, October 28, 2023 | Sunday, November 05, 2023 |
| Saturday, October 26, 2024 | Sunday, November 03, 2024 | |
| Third regular rifle deer and elk combined season | Saturday, November 11, 2023 | Friday, November 17, 2023 |
| Saturday, November 09, 2024 | Friday, November 15, 2024 | |
| Fourth regular rifle deer and elk combined season | Wednesday, November 22, 2023 | Sunday, November 26, 2023 |
| Wednesday, November 20, 2024 | Sunday, November 24, 2024 | |
| Late rifle elk season | Monday, November 27, 2023 | Tuesday, January 31, 2023 |
| Monday, November 25, 2024 | Wednesday, January 31, 2024 |
Moose Season
| Michigan Moose Season | Hunting Start Date | Hunting End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Antlered rifle season | Sunday, October 01, 2023 | Saturday, October 14, 2023 |
| Antlerless rifle | Sunday, October 01, 2023 | Saturday, October 14, 2023 |
| Archery season | Saturday, September 09, 2023 | Saturday, September 30, 2023 |
| Saturday, September 07, 2024 | Monday, September 30, 2024 | |
| Muzzleloader moose season | Saturday, September 09, 2023 | Sunday, September 17, 2023 |
| Saturday, September 14, 2024 | Sunday, September 22, 2024 |
Pronghorn Season
| Michigan Pronghorn Season | Hunting Start Date | Hunting End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Archery season (Buck only) | Tuesday, August 15, 2023 | Thursday, August 31, 2023 |
| Archery season (Either Sex) | Friday, September 01, 2023 | Wednesday, September 20, 2023 |
| Archery season (Buck only) | Thursday, August 15, 2024 | Saturday, August 31, 2024 |
| Archery season (Either Sex) | Friday, September 01, 2023 | Wednesday, September 20, 2023 |
| Muzzleloader season | Thursday, September 21, 2023 | Friday, September 29, 2023 |
| Saturday, September 21, 2024 | Sunday, September 29, 2024 | |
| Rifle pronghorn season | Saturday, October 07, 2023 | Sunday, October 15, 2023 |
| Saturday, October 05, 2024 | Sunday, October 13, 2024 |
Deer Hunting Regulations
- 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.
- The use of a rifle with a caliber greater than.35 is prohibited for hunting deer.
- 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.
- Shotgun slugs or buckshot bigger than.24 caliber are prohibited while hunting deer.
- It is against the law to use a pistol greater than a.357 in caliber when hunting deer.
- Late in the weapon season, bowhunting for deer is prohibited.
- Deer cannot be hunted using a muzzleloader that can only fire a single round.
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.
| Types of Licenses | USD | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Base License (Junior) | $6 | |
| Base License (Resident) | $11 | |
| Base License (Nonresident) | $151 | |
| Base License (Senior) | $5 | |
| ANTLERLESS DEER/JUNIOR ANTLERLESS DEER (Resident and nonresident) | $20 | |
| ANTLERLESS DEER MANAGED AREA HUNTS | $20 | |
| DEER (Resident) | $40 | 2 deer licenses: $20 regular, $20 restricted |
| DEER (NonResident) | $190 | 2 deer licenses: $20 regular, $170 restricted |
| DEER (Senior) (65+, Michigan residents only) | $28 | 2 deer licenses: $8 regular, $20 restricted |
FAQs related to Michigan Deer Hunting Season
What time of year does Michigan open for deer hunting?
Michigan begins its deer hunting season on September 11 for the Liberty Hunts and runs through September 18–19 for the Early Antlerless, Firearms season.
What kinds of deer hunting seasons are there in Michigan?
There are many deer hunting seasons available in Michigan, including the Early Antlerless Firearm Season, the Liberty and Independence Hunt, the Regular Firearm Season, the Late Antlerless Firearm Season, and the Muzzleloader Season.
What are the straight-walled cartridge requirements for deer hunting in the shotgun zone?
Straight-walled cartridges with a minimum case length of 1.16 inches and a maximum case length of 1.80 inches, as well as a rifle caliber of.35 or above, are required for deer hunting in Michigan’s shotgun zone.
Are there any seasons designated just for young hunters or those with disabilities?
Yes, the September 11th Liberty Hunt is intended for young people (those under 16) and those with disabilities.
For complete details on all hunting season you may read our article MI Hunting Season 2023.
Source: Michigan Hunting Digest