10 tips for a safe, successful firearm deer hunting season

Opening day of the traditional firearm deer hunting season is right around the corner, and many hunters are busy scouting land, watching trail cameras and preparing equipment.

To ensure a safe season, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is sharing a list of best practices to help hunters avoid the most common violations conservation officers see every year.

Here are the top 10 best practices for public and private-land hunters to remember as firearm deer hunting season gets underway Nov. 15:

Properly license, tag your deer

Hunters in Michigan must purchase a deer license prior to hunting.

You may purchase your license and tags by using the DNR Hunt Fish app, which you can download onto your mobile device. Your license and tags will be available immediately in digital format on the app. You can also purchase your license and tags at a DNR Customer Service Center or a DNR retail location.

If you purchased your license and tags through the eLicense website, they will arrive in the mail and must be carried by the hunter afield. Please note that license and tags may not be purchased through the eLicense website through Nov. 30 to prevent a delay between purchase and when tags arrive in the mail. This temporary removal – the ability to purchase on the website resumes Dec. 1 – ensures hunters get their digital or physical tags in hand before they begin their hunt.

Before field dressing or moving a deer, physical kill tags must be filled out to include the month and date the deer was harvested, animal gender and number of antler points, if any. These tags must be properly placed on the deer. Stick the tag to a piece of string, wire or a zip tie that can be attached to the deer.

If you purchased tags through the DNR HuntFish App, the tags must be immediately validated using the app on your mobile device before moving the deer. Cellular service is not required to do this.

Conservation officers often see the wrong kill tag on game – such as fish or turkey licenses on deer. Often, this is a simple mistake made in the dark that can be corrected easily by retagging the deer as soon as you notice the error.

Remember that reporting your deer within 72 hours of harvest is just as important as tagging it. Current regulations are available on the DNR Hunt Fish app.

Know your firearm and transport it safely

Proper handling and transportation of your firearm is an important part of being a safe hunter. Take the time to familiarize yourself with your firearm and make sure it is properly sighted and functioning before you go hunting.

If it’s been a while since you used your firearm, consider visiting a local shooting range to practice. Many ranges have extended hours this time of year. Find a shooting range on the DNR Hunt Fish app or by visiting Michigan.gov/ShootingRanges.

When transporting your firearm, be sure it is unloaded in both the barrel and magazine, and is enclosed in a case or carried in the trunk of a vehicle.

Identify your target and what’s beyond it

Know the area you’ll be hunting, including nearby buildings and properties. No one may hunt with a firearm within 450 feet of an occupied structure, including buildings, dwellings, homes, residences, cabins, barns or structures used for farm operations unless they have permission from the landowner.

Each year, conservation officers investigate property damage caused by firearms. Rifle rounds travel long distances and hunters are responsible for where their bullets land.

Respect landowner rights

Always respect posted “no trespassing” signs and property boundaries. If a deer runs onto private property, the hunter cannot retrieve it without the landowner’s permission. Conservation officers usually are contacted when trespass disagreements escalate and a resolution cannot be reached.

If you’re planning to hunt near someone else’s property, contact the landowner ahead of time; don't wait until you're tracking game. Most of the time, a friendly call or visit to your neighbor will remedy the situation.

And remember, all hunting regulations apply on private property.

Share public land

Research and scout the land you plan to hunt before opening day. Keep in mind that state-managed land is a popular place to hunt.

Conservation officers often respond to confrontations over hunting spots, blocking of roads and illegally posting “no trespassing” or “no hunting” signs on state-managed public land. Conservation officers, who are often asked to help resolve these disputes, report that hunter confrontations over hunting spots are often due to last-minute hunters who randomly pick a spot.

Tree stands and ground blinds on public land are just that – public. Regardless of who constructed or tends to these blinds, when they’re on state-managed public land, they are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Public land cannot be posted or reserved.

A person placing a tree stand or ground blind that is left overnight on public land must have one of the following affixed in legible English that can easily be read from the ground: their name and address, complete driver’s license number or DNR Sportcard number. Hunting platforms cannot be affixed or attached to any tree by nails, screws or bolts.

Refer to the current hunting regulations for additional information about the different types of ground blinds.

Leave the land better than you found it

“Leave no trace” and follow other Recreate Responsibly principles while hunting. Whatever is brought into the woods must be taken back out. It is the responsibility of all individuals to be good environmental stewards and clean up after themselves.

Leaving propane bottles, hand-warmer wrappers, food wrappers, bottles and other trash is illegal and may result in a fine.

Wear hunter orange

Between Nov. 15-30, deer hunters, including those using archery equipment, are required by law to wear a hunter orange cap, hat, vest, jacket or raincoat. Orange must be worn on the outermost layer of clothing at all times and be visible from all directions, regardless of hunting on private or shared public land, and even when hunting from within a blind.

Hunter orange garments may have a camouflage pattern if the pattern is at least 50% hunter orange. The DNR recommends wearing as much hunter orange as possible to increase visibility to other hunters. Hunter orange does not deter deer.

Know and follow baiting regulations

Deer baiting is not permitted in the Lower Peninsula.

In the Upper Peninsula, baiting may occur from Sept. 15 to Jan. 1. Bait volume at any hunting site cannot exceed 2 gallons. Bait must be spread on the ground and in an area that measures a minimum of 10 feet by 10 feet or its equivalent.

Mechanical spin-cast feeders are legal to use provided the feeder does not distribute more than the maximum volume allowed. On commercial forest land, bait must be brought in each night, unless the landowner has given permission. Use bait sparingly to help curb the spread of diseases like bovine tuberculosis and chronic wasting disease.

Hunt in-season, during legal hours

During firearm season, a hunter may legally shoot game starting 30 minutes before local sunrise and until 30 minutes after local sunset. Anyone who witnesses or suspects hunting outside of legal hours should immediately call or text the DNR’s Report All Poaching hotline at 800-292-7800. Fast reporting makes it more likely that a conservation officer will identify the suspect.

Be respectful to other hunters

Michigan law prohibits anyone from obstructing or interfering with the lawful taking of animals. Hunter harassment – when a person or organization intentionally sabotages another hunter’s quality opportunity to take game – is a misdemeanor offense. Examples include spraying repellent around a hunter’s blind, creating loud noises and/or barriers that prevent or deter a hunter or game from accessing an area, or destroying other hunter’s equipment such as trail cameras and blinds.

Anyone who feels targeted by hunter harassment or who witnesses a natural resources violation should immediately call or text the Report All Poaching Hotline at 800-292-7800. Information can be left anonymously. Monetary rewards may be offered for information that leads to the prosecution of violators.

For more information on the firearm deer season, hunting safety, lands open to hunting, hunting regulations and more, visit Michigan.gov/Hunting. Check out the 2026 Michigan deer hunting preview for more information.

Michigan conservation officers are fully licensed law enforcement officers who provide natural resources protection, ensure recreational safety and protect residents through general law enforcement and conducting lifesaving operations in the communities they serve. Learn more at Michigan.gov/ConservationOfficers.

Note to editors: An accompanying photo is available below for download. Caption information follows.

Deer: The traditional Michigan firearm deer season is Nov. 15-30. Hunters may purchase license and tags anytime through the DNR's Hunt Fish App, at a DNR Customer Service Center or a licensed retail location.