When Does Gun Season Start in Michigan? A Hunter’s Guide
Michigan is a hunters’ paradise, with plenty of opportunities to bag popular game species like deer, turkey, and small game. But before you start planning your hunting trip, it’s essential to know when gun season starts. In this article, we’ll provide you with everything you need to know about gun season in Michigan.
When Does Gun Season Start in Michigan?
Deer Hunting: In Michigan, gun seasons typically kick off around early October to early January for White-tailed Deer.
For Deer hunters, there are several guns seasons to look forward to:
- November Segment: The first 9-day gun season in Michigan usually takes place towards the end of November and starts on a Monday afternoon. This season allows 3 antlerless-only deer permits.
- Late November Segment: Two weeks after the initial nine-day season, Michigan again opens up a second antlerless-only deer gun hunting season, which runs from late November to late December.
- Late December Segment: About two weeks before the onset of the new year, Michigan hosts a 14-day antlerless-only deer gun season. This season runs typically from late December to early January.
Turkey Hunting: For Turkey hunters, spring is the prime season with a 3-day gobbler gun season in late April and May. The exact dates typically vary from year to year, so be sure to check the Michigan DNR website for the latest info.
Small Game Seasons: Michigan also has guns seasons for small game hunting, including:
- Waterfowl Hunting (Ducks and geese): The dates often vary depending on species but typically run from mid-March to late September with different bag limits for respective species.
- Band-tailed Pigeons: The 12- day gun season for Pigeons usually kicks off in late January through mid-February.
Important Dates and Rule Changes
To make informed decisions about your Michigan deer hunt, it’s imperative to stay up-to-date with the latest hunting calendar and regulations. Key rule changes and important dates in recent years include:
- New Antler restrictions: Introduced in 2005, the requirement forces hunters to take down-only bucks with at least six points on one antler, and a 26-inch outside spread.
Permitted Counties and Zones Important Note: Consult a reliable source for a table or map to plan routes, as the below graphic may not be an authentic representation.
Hunt Guidelines and Bag Limits Don’t forget to validate your permit! As part of the state requirements, hunters must confirm before the hunt starts; failure to do so might result in loss or revocation of permit for that season.
Some hunting restrictions and guidelines apply only to specific zones:
| Region No. | Deer-Loaded Guns | Deer with- | Antler-less Firearms | Antler-Heavy Firearms |
| : | : | : | : | : |
| C, D, I K | No | |
| E, G & J | | 2 | | *No Antler-L
| A, F, H & L | ( | | | ( *
| B & E ** | | *Two ** | | No restriction | No restriction |
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It is crucial to respect season restrictions and follow hunting requirements, as failure can land you in trouble and/or damage the environment and biodiversity.