In Michigan, deer hunting season is an exciting adventure for every level of hunter. The state’s varied nature of woods, marshes, and farming terrain, offers plenty of chances to take white-tailed deer. The 2024 season offers different methods like archery, using a gun, and muzzleloading.
The early firearm season lets you hunt does before rut starts. The regular firearm season is favored by many for hunting both bucks and does. If you like a bit of a challenge, then the muzzleloading season is for you.
If you’re an old hand or a beginner, Michigan’s deer season has lots to offer. Good planning and readiness mean hunters can have a good time and make great memories in nature.
MI Deer Hunting Schedule
- Liberty Hunt: Sept. 14-15, 2024
- Early Antlerless Firearm: Sept. 21-22, 2024
- Independence Hunt: Oct. 17-20, 2024
- Archery: Oct. 1-Nov. 14 & Dec. 1, 2024-Jan. 1, 2025
- Extended Archery: Jan. 1-31, 2025 (select counties)
- Regular Firearm: Nov. 15-30, 2024
- Muzzleloading: Dec. 6-15, 2024 (Zones 1, 2, & 3)
- Late Antlerless Firearm: Dec. 16, 2024-Jan. 1, 2025 (Zone 3) & Jan. 2-12, 2025 (select counties)
- Discounted Antlerless License: Jan. 2-12, 2025 ($5)
- Unused Tags: Eligible for use
- Season Bag Limit: 10 deer
Summary of Michigan’s deer hunting regulations
Archery and Firearm Regulations:
- Archery: Without exception, firearms are not permitted (the only exceptions are during shared firearm seasons or for CPL bearers).
- Firearm (Restricted Zones): Certain rules are in place (applies to shotguns, muzzleloaders, handguns).
- Muzzleloading: In Zones 1 & 2: limited to muzzleloaders, crossbows, black powder pistols. Zone 3 permits all legal firearms.
Deer Disease Testing:
- Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD): Active zones have tests ready, with results on the web.
- Bovine Tuberculosis (TB): We watch certain counties closely, advocating deer head tests.
Special Seasons and Hunts:
- Early or Late Doe: Only on private property (Lower Peninsula).
- Extended Bow: Macomb, Oakland, Wayne Counties (until January 31st).
- Special: Needs permission (like Fort Custer, Harsens Island, and so on).
Firearm Safety Zones:
- No hunting within 450 feet of occupied buildings without written permission.
Hunting in Right-of-Ways:
- Public Land Rules: You can hunt adjacent to public lands (but you need to ask for permission on private property).
- Railway Land: It is privately owned, meaning you need a letter of permission from the railway corporation to hunt there.
- Floating: It is allowed on waters near publicly open hunting lands (but again, permission is needed on private lands).
Township Restrictions:
- Certain townships: May have hunting or firearm discharge restrictions. Check local townships for details.
Public Lands:
- State Lands: It’s not okay to cut plants for shooting aisles or clog roads. For camping, you’ll need a permit.
- State Parks: Most don’t allow hunting. Yet, there’s a law exception.
- National Wildlife Refuges & Forest Lands: Stick to state laws, but be ready for extra rules.
Private Lands:
- You Must Get Approval: Always make sure to get the green light from the property owner before pursuing.
- Land for Commercial Forestry: More than 2.2 million acres are open for hunting (expect certain limits on motorized access & activities).
- The Hunting Access Program (HAP): It offers chances to hunt on private lands (you need to sign up first).
Lower Peninsula:
- Antlerless Firearm: These happen early and late only on private lands.
- Long Archery: It lasts in Macomb, Oakland, & Wayne counties…, all the way till January 31st.
- Restrictions on Antler Point (APR): These differ per deer management unit, so review the rules.
- Special Deer: Some places, Fort Custer for instance, have their own special hunts with unique rules.
Upper Peninsula:
- Antler Definitions:
- Antlered: At least one antler extending 3+ inches above the skull.
- Antlerless: No antlers or antlers less than 3 inches long.
- Antler Point Restrictions (APR):
- However, for younger hunters (16 & under) and those with an apprentice license, these APRs don’t apply.
- Depending on the area and license, the provided map and chart guide your hunt’s specific APRs.
Antlerless (Upper Peninsula):
- Universal Antlerless License: For pursuing in southern DMUs (022, 122, 255, 055, 155, 121), this license applies.
- For DMUs 351 & 352: A deer access permit for Antlerless hunt and a universal no-antlers license are needed (for each deer).
- Antlerless Access Permits: Draw-based limited permits available (1,000 per DMU). Apply between July 15-Aug 15, results out Aug 29. Unused ones on sale Sept 6 (application charge: $5).
CWD Core Surveillance Area:
- This area spans portions of Delta, Dickinson, and Menominee counties (please verify exact limits).
- Crossbows have the green light for use in late archery season here. However, deer baiting and feeding are off-limits (apart from disabled hunters during Liberty and Independence Hunts).
- Usage of food-scented oils, wicks, or urine-based scents is okay (provided deer can’t consume them).
- Food plots? They’re good to go on private land (not on public lands though).
Baiting Regulations (Outside Core CWD Area):
- Allowed Sept 15 – Jan 1 (maximum 2 gallons per site, spread over 10×10 foot area).
- Bait must be scattered directly on the ground to minimize disease spread.
Crossbow Use:
- Out of the main CWD zone: Don’t use crossbows in late archery and muzzleloader seasons (from Dec 1 to Jan 1). This is unless you have a disability and a unique pass.
- For the Early Archery Period and within the central CWD region: using crossbows is okay.
Check Stations & CWD Testing:
- Check stations may be limited due to budget constraints.
- CWD testing limited to areas with active surveillance. Check Michigan.gov/Deer for details.
Tagging Your Game:
- Right away, make sure your kill tag is valid and attach it to the animal (antler, jaw, or leg).
- Use tough wire or string to tightly attach the tag.
- Make sure the tag is easy to read and see.
- Don’t remove the tag until the animal is processed or a processor or taxidermist takes it.
- If the head or antlers come back, the tag must be with them.
Transporting Game:
- Keep Traceability: Keep proof of species and sex undamaged, except in the case of processed deer and elk.
- Handled Game: If a professional processor handles elk or deer, the animal’s head and kill tag need to accompany the processed meat. If they test the head for disease, carry along the kill tag and disease analysis receipt.
- Specific Areas: If deer hail from certain counties or townships, they should not be moved beyond these areas unless one of the following conditions is met:
- The meat is deboned.
- The carcass goes directly to a registered processor.
- The head is taken to a licensed taxidermist.
Roadkill Deer:
- Permit Required: Apply for a roadkill salvage permit (Michigan.gov/RoadKillPermit).
- Transportation: Cannot transport the carcass outside the county of origin except for specific parts.
Importing Game:
- If you’re coming from another state, you’re only permitted to take skins, boneless meat, horns, and finalized taxidermy items into Michigan. You can’t bring carcasses or heads.
- If you receive news of a confirmed CWD test, you’ll need to get in touch with the DNR Wildlife Disease Lab. Do this within two working days. Reach out to the USDA too if required.
Buying or Selling Game:
- Restrictions: Generally prohibited, unless specified by Wildlife Conservation Order 4.3 (Michigan.gov/DNRLaws).
Processing Wild Game:
- Commercial Processors: Must register with the DNR (Michigan.gov/WildlifePermits).
Pursuing with Dogs:
- Private Land: You’re permitted to step onto private land to fetch your hunting hound, but only if you’re unarmed, unless the landowner says otherwise.
- Chasing Using Dogs: Dogs are restricted to tracing severely injured or fatally hurt deer or elk.
- Practice: You can train from July 8 to April 15. To practice during off-season, an exceptional permit is needed.
- Tracking Injured Wildlife: Leashed dogs can be employed to find injured deer or elks. If regulated, a licensed tracker can bear arms during the search.
Youth Days:
- Mentored Youth Program: Kids 9 years old or less can join a hunting guide. The guide has to be 21 years old or more. They should have outdoor skills and a current Michigan hunting permit.
- Youth Game Licenses: Young hunters aged 10-16 need an adult with them. They can choose from a bow, crossbow, or gun. Beginner hunters need a guide and don’t have to worry about antler point limits.
Hunters with Disabilities:
- Discounts and Permits: If a veteran has a disability, they could get a hunting license without paying a dime (given they match set rules). Those with motor difficulties can seek a specialized bow permit made for non-standard bow usage. If walking is tough due to a disability, there’s a permit letting you hunt directly from a stable vehicle.
MI Deer Licenses
| Age Group | License Type | Resident | Nonresident |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 9 | DNR Sportcard | $1 | $1 |
| 10-16 | Mentored Youth License | $7.50 | N/A |
| 17-64 | Base License | $6 | $11 |
| 17+ | Nonresident | $151 | N/A |
| 65+ | Resident Senior | $5 | N/A |
Deer License Options:
- Single License: Lets you hunt one deer that has antlers. Whether on public or private land, you can utilize the kill tag for those that have antlers and those that don’t during certain parts of the year in specific regions.
- Combo License: Contains two kill tags (regular and limited). They can be used to hunt deers with or without antlers during different times of the year. But be aware, depending on the place and time period, there can be some limitations.
Universal Antlerless License:
- This works for either communal or personal areas in every open deer management sector (DMU).
- You don’t need to apply, and you can buy up to ten permits every season.
- For DMUs 351 and 352 in the Upper Peninsula, you need another access permit along with the universal one.
Access Permits for Antlerless:
- You’ll need permits for certain Upper Peninsula DMUs, namely 351 and 352.
- Applications from July 15 to August 15. Any leftover permits? They’ll be up for grabs beginning September 6.
Deer Management Assistance (DMA) Permit:
- Permits the gathering of deer without antlers solely on certain private lands.
- Deer hunted under DMA permits don’t reduce the overall license quota.
Reserved Deer Hunt Access Permits:
- Acquired through a random selection system for designated public territories, including some hunts limited to hunters with disabilities.
- They take applications from July 15 to August 15, and there’s a $5 fee.
Top Michigan Deer Hunting Locations
In Michigan, you’ll find a variety of hunting sites, from thick woods to sprawling meadows. Let’s talk about the top deer spots in the state.
Northern Michigan: Is one of such places. Its rough landscapes and ample wild animals make it a prime place for deers. The Huron-Manistee National Forests and the Pigeon River State Forest are well-liked options, having a range of deciduous and evergreen trees.
Southern Michigan: Despite being more populated, still hosts superb deer territories. The Shiawassee National Forest and the Allegan State Game Area are high-quality choices, offering different habitats to discover.
Private Land: Pursuing on private land can be worthwhile, as owners frequently oversee their lands for wildlife. A lot of private owners offer hunting leases, giving access to private zones.
State Game Areas: Michigan possesses numerous state game areas, open for public hunting. These areas provide diverse chances, ranging from early-season bow hunting to late-season firearm hunts.
National Forests: These are expansive and varied, delivering superb deer prospects. The Huron-Manistee, Ottawa, and Hiawatha national forests are among the frequently picked options.
