Michigan Hunting Seasons 2023 [Latest Update!]

During the hunting seasons in Michigan are the best times to harvest both large and small game. Elk, deer, bear, turkey, and Coyote are just few of the many species of wildlife that can be found in the state for hunters to pursue.

In Michigan, you may go hunting on either public or private land. Hunters Helping Landowners (HHP) and the Hunting Access Program (HAP) work together to turn privately owned property into open and legal hunting grounds. A mapping program called Mi-HUNT is provided by the state’s Department of Natural Resources to aid hunters in locating legal hunting sites around the state.

Both residents and non-residents may apply for and get hunting licenses. A licensing agency or the Department of Natural Resources’ website are also good options for obtaining the necessary permits.

Michigan Hunting Season

Find out when the season is, what the bag restrictions are, how to get a license, and where to go for more information.The information presented herein will appeal to you. Let’s get started.

Deer Hunting Season in Michigan

Michigan Deer Season	Start Date	End Date	Note
Deer (Liberty Hunt)	9-Sep	10-Sep	Youth & hunters with disabilities hunt
Deer (Early Antlerless Firearm)	16-Sep	17-Sep	1 bag limit each kill tag
Deer (Independence Hunt)	19-Oct	22-Oct	(Hunters with disabilities)
Deer (Regular Firearm)	15-Nov	30-Nov	1 bag limit each kill tag
Deer (Early Archery)	1-Oct	14-Nov	1 bag limit each kill tag
Deer (Late Archery)	1-Dec	1-Jan	1 bag limit each kill tag
Muzzleloading Zone 1	2-Dec	11-Dec
Muzzleloading Zone 2	2-Dec	11-Dec
Muzzleloading Zone 3	2-Dec	11-Dec
Deer (Late Antlerless Firearm)	12-Dec	1-Jan	1 bag limit each kill tag

Check out on how to make the most of the Deer season, with our in-depth guide that covers everything you need to know about Michigan deer hunting season.

Elk Season

Michigan Elk Season	Start Date	End Date	Note
Elk (Unit X) (Part 1)	30-Aug	2-Sep	NA
Elk (Unit X) (Part 2)	16-Sep	19-Sep	NA
Elk (Unit L) (Part 3)	30-Sep	3-Oct	NA
Elk (Unit H, I, X)	10-Dec	18-Dec	NA

Note: There are restrictions on elk hunting because of a lottery system. Randomly chosen hunting places and seasons, from August to January, are allotted to hunters.

Bear Season

Michigan Bear Season	Start Date	End Date	Note
Bear (Zone-1) (Part-1)	7-Sep	21-Oct	BMU: Bergland, Baraga, Amasa, Carney, Gwinn, Newberry, Drummond Island. (From September 9th to the 13th, you may only use bait while hunting.)
Bear (Zone-2) (Part-1)	11-Sep	19-Sep	BMU: Red Oak, Baldwin, Gladwin
Bear (Zone-1) (Part-2)	12-Sep	26-Oct	BMU: Bergland, Baraga, Amasa, Carney, Gwinn, Newberry. (Both dogs and bait allowed.)
Bear (Zone-1) (Part-3)	25-Sep	26-Oct	BMU: Bergland, Baraga, Amasa, Carney, Gwinn, Newberry. (Both dogs and bait allowed.)
Bear (Zone-2) (Part-2)	7-Oct	13-Oct	BMU: Red Oak, Baldwin, Gladwin

Bobcat Season

Michigan Bobcat Season	Start Date	End Date
Bobcat (Unit-D)	1-Jan	1-Feb
Bobcat (Unit-H)	1-Jan	11-Jan
Bobcat (Unit-G)	1-Jan	20-Jan
Bobcat (Unit-A, B, C)	1-Jan	1-Mar

Coyote Season

Michigan Coyote Season	Start Date	End Date	Note
Coyote	1-Jan	31-Dec	There is no limit.

Fox Season

Michigan Fox Season	Start Date	End Date	Note
Fox	15-Oct	1-Mar	There is no limit

Duck Season

Michigan Duck Season	Start Date	End Date	Note
Duck (North-Early)	24-Sep	20-Nov	North Zone. (There is a bag limit of 6 per day.)
Duck (Middle-Early)	8-Oct	4-Dec	Middle Zone. (There is a bag limit of 6 per day.)
Duck (South-Early)	15-Oct	11-Dec	South Zone. (There is a bag limit of 6 per day.)
Duck (North-Late)	26-Nov	27-Nov	North Zone. (There is a bag limit of 6 per day.)
Duck (Middle-Late)	17-Dec	18-Dec	Middle Zone. (There is a bag limit of 6 per day.)
Duck (South-Late)	31-Dec	1-Jan	South Zone. (There is a bag limit of 6 per day.)

Goose Season

Michigan Goose Season	Start Date	End Date	Note
Goose (Middle Zone) (Part 1)	1-Sep	30-Dec	Dark & Light Goose (Canada, Brant, and White-Fronted, Snow, Blue, and Ross’s) Bag limit 5 per day.
Goose (South Zone) (Part 1)	1-Sep	30-Sep	Dark & Light Goose (Canada, Brant, and White-Fronted, Snow, Blue, and Ross’s) Bag limit 5 per day.
Goose (North Zone)	1-Sep	16-Dec	Dark & Light Goose (Canada, Brant, and White-Fronted, Snow, Blue, and Ross’s) Bag limit 5 per day.
Goose (Middle Zone) (Part 2)	8-Oct	23-Dec	Dark & Light Goose (Canada, Brant, and White-Fronted, Snow, Blue, and Ross’s) Bag limit 5 per day.
Goose (South Zone) (Part 2)	15-Oct	11-Dec	Dark & Light Goose (Canada, Brant, and White-Fronted, Snow, Blue, and Ross’s) Bag limit 5 per day.
Goose (South Zone) (Part 3)	31-Dec	8-Jan	Dark & Light Goose (Canada, Brant, and White-Fronted, Snow, Blue, and Ross’s) Bag limit 5 per day.
Goose (South Zone) (Part 4)	4-Feb	13-Feb	Dark & Light Goose (Canada, Brant, and White-Fronted, Snow, Blue, and Ross’s) Bag limit 5 per day.

Grouse Season

Michigan Grouse Season	Start Date	End Date	Note
Ruffed Grouse (Zone 1-2) (Early)	15-Sep	14-Nov	A bag limit of 5 per day for Ruffed grouse
Ruffed Grouse (Zone 1-2) (Late)	1-Dec	1-Jan	A bag limit of 5 per day for Ruffed grouse
Sharp-tailed Grouse	10-Oct	31-Oct	Zone 1. A bag limit of 2 per day.

Quail Season

Michigan Quail Season	Start Date	End Date	Note
Quail	20-Oct	14-Nov	There is a bag limit of 5 per day.

Pheasant Season

Michigan Pheasant Season	Start Date	End Date	Note
Pheasant (Zone-1)	10-Oct	31-Oct	A bag limit of 2 per day (male only).
Pheasant (Zone 2-3)	20-Oct	14-Nov	A bag limit of 2 per day (male only).
Pheasant (December Pheasant Management Unit)	1-Dec	1-Jan	A bag limit of 2 per day (male only).

Rabbit Season

Michigan Rabbit Season	Start Date	End Date	Note
Rabbit (Cottontail & Snowshoe Hare)	15-Sep	31-Mar	NA

Seasons for wild turkeys in Michigan

Michigan Turkey Season	Start Date	End Date
Spring Turkey Season
A, B, E, F, J	22-Apr	5-May
K, ZA, ZB, ZC, ZD, ZE, ZF,ZC, ZD, ZE, ZF	22-Apr	28-Apr
K	29-Apr	5-May
M	22-Apr	31-May
ZA, ZB, ZC, ZD, ZE, ZF	29-Apr	12-May
ZA, ZB,	13-May	31-May
ZA, ZB, ZC, ZD, ZE, ZF	1-Jun	7-Jun
ZZ	22-Apr	31-May
Fall Turkey Season
G,GB, GC, J, L, M, T, W, WA, HA, YY	15-Sep	14-Nov

MI Waterfowl Season

MI Waterfowl Season	Hunting Season Start Dates	Hunting Season Start Dates	Bag Limits (Daily)	Possession Limits
Duck (North Zone)	24-Sep	20-Nov	6	18
	26-Nov	27-Nov	6	18
Coots (North Zone)	24-Sep	20-Nov	15	45
	26-Nov	27-Nov	15	45
Mergansers (North Zone)	24-Sep	20-Nov	5	15
	26-Nov	27-Nov	5	15
Dark goose-Canada, brant and white-fronted (North Zone)	1-Sep	16-Dec	5	15
Light goose-snow, blue and Ross’s (North Zone)	1-Sep	16-Dec	20	60
Duck (Middle Zone)	8-Oct	4-Dec	6	18
	17-Dec	18-Dec	6	18
Coots (Middle Zone)	8-Oct	4-Dec	15	45
	17-Dec	18-Dec	15	45
Mergansers (Middle Zone)	8-Oct	4-Dec	5	15
	17-Dec	18-Dec	5	15
Dark goose-Canada, brant and white-fronted (Middle Zone)	1-Sep	30-Sep	5	15
	8-Oct	23-Dec	5	15
Light goose-snow, blue and Ross’s (Middle Zone)	1-Sep	30-Sep	20	60
	8-Oct	23-Dec	20	60
Duck (South Zone)	15-Oct	11-Dec	6	18
	31-Dec	1-Jan	6	18
Coots (South Zone)	15-Oct	11-Dec	15	45
	31-Dec	1-Jan	15	45
Mergansers (South Zone)	15-Oct	11-Dec	5	15
	31-Dec	1-Jan	5	15
Dark goose-Canada, brant and white-fronted (South Zone) (excluding some GMUs (see South Zone – Local Goose Management Units (GMU) section)	1-Sep	30-Sep	5	15
	15-Oct	11-Dec	5	15
	31-Dec	8-Jan	5	15
	4-Feb	13-Feb	5	15
Light goose-snow, blue and Ross’s (South Zone)	1-Sep	30-Sep	20	60
	15-Oct	11-Dec	20	60
	31-Dec	8-Jan	20	60
	4-Feb	13-Feb	20	60
Early teal (Statewide)	1-Sep	16-Sep	6	18
Common snipe (Statewide)	1-Sep	9-Nov	8	24
Virginia rail and sora rail (Statewide)	1-Sep	9-Nov	25	75
Moorhens-gallinules (Statewide)	1-Sep	9-Nov	1	3

Seasons for Small Game in Michigan

Small Game Season	Hunting Season Start Date	Hunting Season End Date
(Cottontail Rabbit)	15-Sep	31-Mar
(Snowshoe Hare)	15-Sep	31-Mar
Pheasant- (Male only)	10-Oct	1-Jan
(Grouse, Ruffed)	15-Sep	14-Nov
	1-Dec	1-Jan
(Grouse, Sharp-tailed)	10-Oct	31-Oct
Squirrel - (Fox and Gray)	15-Sep	31-Mar

Note: Season dates differ depending on the zone. And all dates are tentative, please confirm with Michigan DNR before making a plan.

Hunting Zones in Michigan.

For a summary of Michigan’s hunting zones, see the map below:

Bag Limits in Michigan

Deer bag restrictions are as follows:

It should be noted that bag limits, designated hunting areas, and hunting regulations vary by species and season in Michigan. For further information on obtaining licenses, permits, and restrictions, see the Michigan (Department of Natural Resources) website.

License to hunt in Michigan.

Everyone who hunts small game needs an annual basic license as well as an extra license.

Visit page https://www.mdnr-elicense.com/ to get your hunting and fishing license.

License Specifics	(Resident)	(Nonresident)
(Annual all species)	26 $ US	76 $ US
(Hunt/ Fish Combo)	76 $ US	266 $ US
(Base License)	11 $ US	15 $ US
(Permit)
(Antlerless Deer)	20 $ US
(Bear)	25 $ US	N/A
(Deer)	40 $ US	20 $ US
(Turkey)	15 $ US	N/A

Hunting Regulations in Michigan.

• Taking an animal from a vehicle may result in a $200 to $1,000 fine, 5 to 90 days in jail, $1,500 in restitution for a bear and $1,000 for a deer or turkey, loss of hunting rights for the remainder of the year, and three years of license ineligibility.

• Possession of a loaded, uncased weapon in a moving vehicle is unlawful, and the offender might face a $500 fine, up to 90 days in jail, and loss of hunting rights, depending on the circumstances.

• It is illegal to hunt with a rifle within 150 yards of an occupied residence, building, cabin, or barn without written permission. Depending on the circumstances, violators may face penalties ranging from $50 to $500, up to 90 days in jail, and/or the cancellation of hunting licenses.

• Driving or disturbing animals for allowed hunting is a crime punished by imprisonment for less than 93 days, a fine of $500 to $1,000, the loss of hunting licenses at the court’s discretion, and the prosecution’s expenditure. Repeat offenders face up to a year in prison, a $1,000 to $2,500 fine, and extra legal expenses.

• A $100 to $500 fine, up to 90 days in jail, and the loss of hunting licenses for the remainder of the current year and the next year are all potential punishments for using artificial light to catch the game or in animal-friendly areas unless specifically approved.

• A $50 to $100 fine, up to 90 days in prison, and the loss of hunting rights are potential penalties for using artificial light to find animals between December 1 and October 31 between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. and between November 1 and November 30 between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. When going to and from hunting areas with an unloaded weapon, licensed hunters are allowed to use artificial light for one hour before and after shooting hours.

• If a person disobeys an order to stop using artificial light to discover game issued by a peace officer or indicated by a flashing signal light or siren, they might face a minimum of 5 days in prison, a fine of $50 to $100, and the loss of hunting privileges.

• Between August 15 and April 30, it is mandatory to wear appropriate apparel, such as hunter orange or hunter pink; failure to do so may result in a fine of $50 to $100 and/or a prison sentence of up to 90 days.

• The grounds of any public or private school are considered safety zones, and hunting is forbidden. Depending on the circumstances, violators may face penalties ranging from $50 to $100, up to 90 days in prison, and/or the loss of their hunting license.

• Hunting from a moving vehicle is banned, and the court may impose a fine of up to $500 or a prison term of up to 90 days in addition to the loss of the hunter’s license, depending on the circumstances.

• Hunting on another person’s property without their authorization is also forbidden. Offenders may face a $50 to $500 fine, up to 90 days in prison, and/or the cancellation of hunting permits, depending on the circumstances.

• When someone takes more than they are authorized to in a given day or has more than they are allowed to have in their possession at any one time, they have breached the law and have been charged with a Take/Possess Over the Limit infraction. If convicted, the offender risks up to 90 days in prison, a $200 to $1,000 fine, the loss of their hunting license for the remainder of the year and the following three years, and the expense of replacing the animal (which varies based on the type of animal).

Restitution	Amount
Deer	$1,000
Turkey	$1,000
Bear	$3,500
Elk	$5,000

• If a person is found with more than the authorized number of elk, they may be imprisoned for 30 days to 18 months, fined $500 to $2,000, compelled to make restitution, and have their hunting rights revoked for the remainder of the year and the following 15 calendar years.

• Repeat offenders risk having their hunting licenses canceled permanently. If you use a dog to hunt deer or elk without a license, you might face up to 90 days in jail, a fine of $50 to $500, and your hunting rights could be revoked.

• If an offender is found guilty of hunting outside the permissible hours (one hour before dawn to one hour after sunset) without permission, the court may impose a fine of $50 to $500 and/or restrict the offender’s hunting rights for up to 90 days.

• Unless you’re going elk hunting, you can’t build up a platform taller than a tree trunk on public land after August 1 and must take it down by March 1. In addition to a fine of $50 to $500 and the loss of hunting rights, offenders may face up to 90 days in jail.

• If you’re found hunting while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you may face up to 90 days in jail, a $500 fine, and having your hunting license canceled for the remainder of the year and the following three calendar years.

Resources that are beneficial.

Official State Website: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/.

FAQs related to MI Hunting Season

What kind of hunting game season can you find in Michigan?

There are seven different types of game that may be hunted in Michigan: bear, deer, elk, turkey, small game, waterfowl, and trapping/fur harvesting.

Is using a rifle to hunt in Michigan during muzzleloader season legal?

Hunters are permitted to use any lawful guns during the muzzleloading season in Zone 3, which includes all of the southern Michigan counties of Bay, Isabella, Mecosta, Midland, Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana. Accordingly, compared to other regions where just a few types of guns are permitted, hunters in this region have more options when it comes to their choice of rifle during this particular hunting season.

How many rounds are legal for hunting in Michigan?

The maximum number of rounds that semi-automatic rifles and shotguns may contain in their magazines is six, according to Michigan state hunting laws. Hunting and recreational shooting are not anticipated to be adversely affected by this limitation, and it may even improve safety and sportsmanship.

Is it legal to shoot crows in Michigan?

There is no bag restriction for crow hunting in Michigan, but hunters must possess a small game license. In accordance with federal law, crows may be shot outside of the legal hunting window if they are considered dangerous to people or a nuisance.

Is hunter safety course completion required for basic hunting license application in Michigan?

If you wish to apply for a hunting license and you were born on or after January 1, 1960, you must first finish a hunter safety course. If you are making an application for an apprentice license, this condition does not apply.

What is the punishment for baiting deer in Michigan?

Baiting is currently prohibited and regarded as illegal conduct in Michigan. Fines, up to 90 days in prison, and the loss of their hunting license are all possible penalties for infractions. Senate Bill 800 also adds $1 state civil penalty for infractions.

How many deer tags can you get in Michigan?

A hunter may purchase up to 10 universal antlerless deer licenses over the course of the season.

What kinds of animals can you capture in Michigan?

You may hunt opossums, porcupines, weasels, red squirrels, skunks, ground squirrels, woodchucks, and feral pigs all year long in Michigan if you have a current hunting license. There is no bag limit for these species.

How much does a deer combination license in Michigan cost?

This year, the price of a single deer license for inhabitants of the state increased from $15 to $20, while the price of a combo license increased from $30 to $40.

Is it legal to go hunting in Michigan without a license on my own property?

A resident, a resident’s spouse, or a resident’s children may hunt small game on enclosed farmlands where they reside without a license, but they must have both a federal waterfowl stamp and a state waterfowl license to hunt waterfowl.

How many acres are required to hunt in Michigan?

It is no longer necessary to have at least 5 acres of property to go hunting, provided that all other regulations regarding proximity to other structures are observed.

What is the minimum antler length for a standard tag deer in Michigan?

It’s crucial to keep in mind that throughout the majority of Michigan, any deer with at least one antler measuring three inches or longer qualifies for a standard tag.

Also Read : Hunting Seasons in USA [Updated State Wise List]