Hunting Seasons & Licensing · MI
Michigan Hunting Seasons & Licensing
2025–2026 SeasonMichigan ranks among the top hunting states with over 600,000 deer hunters and nearly 4 million acres of state-managed public land. The state is divided into Upper and Lower Peninsulas with distinct season structures. Michigan offers excellent white-tailed deer, wild turkey, waterfowl, and small game hunting. The state has been managing bovine tuberculosis in deer herds in the northeast Lower Peninsula and CWD in the south-central Lower Peninsula, affecting regulations in those areas.
Dates shown are for the 2025–2026 season based on the most recent published regulations. Always verify current dates with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources before hunting.
Season Dates by Game Type
Big Game
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed Deer | Archery | Oct 1 – Nov 14 & Dec 1 – Jan 1, 2026 | Varies by license type | Bow and arrow, crossbow |
| White-tailed Deer | Firearm | Nov 15 – Nov 30, 2025 | 1 antlered (4 pts on one side in some DMUs) | Rifle, shotgun, handgun, muzzleloader |
| White-tailed Deer | Muzzleloader | Dec 5 – Dec 21, 2025 | 1 deer | Muzzleloader only |
| White-tailed Deer | Late Antlerless (Lower Peninsula) | Dec 22 – Jan 1, 2026 | Antlerless only | Rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader, bow |
| Black Bear | General | Sep 15 – Oct 26, 2025 | 1 bear | Rifle, shotgun, bow, muzzleloader |
| Elk | General | Dec 9 – Dec 17, 2025 | 1 elk | Rifle, bow, muzzleloader |
White-tailed Deer (Firearm): Antler point restrictions in many DMUs
White-tailed Deer (Muzzleloader): Zone-specific
White-tailed Deer (Late Antlerless (Lower Peninsula)): Private land only in many areas
Black Bear (General): License by drawing. Baiting permitted.
Elk (General): Very limited licenses (approx. 200) by drawing. Northeast Lower Peninsula only.
Turkey
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Turkey | Spring | Apr 20 – May 31, 2026 | 1 bearded turkey | Shotgun, bow |
| Wild Turkey | Fall | Sep 15 – Nov 14, 2025 | 1 turkey either sex | Shotgun, bow, rifle |
Wild Turkey (Fall): Select units only
Upland Game Birds
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ring-necked Pheasant | General | Oct 10 – Nov 14 & Dec 1 – Jan 1, 2026 | 2 daily (roosters only) / 4 possession | Shotgun |
| Ruffed Grouse | General | Sep 15 – Nov 14 & Dec 1 – Jan 1, 2026 | 5 daily / 10 possession | Shotgun |
| Woodcock | General | Sep 15 – Nov 14, 2025 | 3 daily / 9 possession | Shotgun |
Waterfowl
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ducks | General | Varies by zone — Oct through Dec | 6 daily (species-specific limits) | Shotgun (non-toxic shot required) |
Ducks (General): Federal duck stamp + HIP required. Michigan has excellent Great Lakes waterfowl hunting.
Small Game
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cottontail Rabbit | General | Sep 15 – Mar 31, 2026 | 5 daily | Rifle, shotgun, handgun |
| Fox/Gray Squirrel | General | Sep 15 – Mar 31, 2026 | 5 daily | Rifle, shotgun, handgun |
Licensing
| License Type | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Base License | $11 | — |
| Resident Deer License | $20 | — |
| Resident Deer Combo (2 tags) | $40 | — |
| Non-Resident Base License | $11 | — |
| Non-Resident Deer License | $190 | — |
| Resident Turkey License | $15 | — |
| Non-Resident Turkey License | $75 | — |
| Youth (10–16) | Reduced fees | Mentored youth hunting available under 10 |
| Senior (65+) | $6 base license | — |
Tags, Draws & Lotteries
Michigan deer licenses are generally available over the counter. Antlerless deer licenses are available by application in some Deer Management Units. Bear licenses are allocated through a preference point drawing — wait times vary by Bear Management Unit from 1 to 7+ years. Elk licenses (approximately 200 per year) are by lottery drawing. Applications for bear and elk are typically due in June.
Harvest Reporting
Michigan requires mandatory harvest reporting for all deer, bear, turkey, and elk within 72 hours of harvest through the Michigan DNR website or by phone. Deer harvested in bovine TB and CWD management areas must be presented at a DNR check station for testing. Testing is free and results are provided to hunters.
Michigan Wildlife Resources
- Michigan Department of Natural Resources — Hunting Home →
- Current Hunting Regulations →
- Hunter Education →
- Violation Hotline: Report All Poaching (RAP): 1-800-292-7800
- USFWS Waterfowl Frameworks →
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only. Season dates, bag limits, license fees, and regulations shown here are based on the most recently published data from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and may not reflect last-minute changes, emergency closures, or special regulations. Always verify current regulations directly with your state wildlife agency before hunting. FirearmSelect does not provide legal advice and is not responsible for actions taken based on this information.