Hunting methods

Can I harvest a deer while it is in a body of water?
No. You cannot harvest a deer if it is in a body of water. It is unlawful to chase, pursue, shoot or kill a deer when it is swimming in a stream, river, pond, lake or other body of water.

Can I hunt deer from a vehicle?
No. You cannot hunt or pursue deer from a car, snowmobile, aircraft, drone, motorboat, personal watercraft, off-road vehicle or other motorized vehicle, or by a sailboat. Special permits may apply. Visit Michigan.gov/DNRaccessibility for more information for hunters with disabilities.

Can I set fires to drive out deer?
No. You cannot set fires to drive out game animals, including deer.

Can I hunt deer while under the influence of intoxicating alcohol or controlled substances?
No. You cannot hunt deer while under the influence of intoxicating alcohol or controlled substances.

Baiting

Can I bait for deer in the Lower Peninsula?
No. BAITING IS BANNED IN THE ENTIRE LOWER PENINSULA. This includes both public and private lands. Exception: During the Liberty and Independence hunts only, hunters with disabilities who meet specific requirements may use bait in areas where baiting is banned.

Can I bait for deer in the Upper Peninsula?
Yes. Baiting is allowed in the Upper Peninsula. The following baiting regulations apply:

• Baiting may occur only from Sept. 15 - Jan. 1.
• Bait volume at any hunting site cannot exceed 2 gallons. Bait dispersal must be over a minimum 10-foot by 10-foot area.
• Bait must be scattered directly on the ground. It can be scattered by any means, including mechanical spin-cast feeders, provided that the spin-cast feeder does not distribute more than the maximum volume allowed.
• To minimize exposure of deer to diseases that may be present, the DNR recommends not placing bait or feed repeatedly at the same point on the ground, and only baiting when actively hunting.

I am a youth hunter participating in the Liberty Hunt in the Lower Peninsula. Can I bait deer?
No. In the Lower Peninsula, youth hunters cannot bait deer during the Liberty Hunt.

I am a youth hunter participating in the Liberty Hunt in the Upper Peninsula. Can I bait deer?
Yes. In the Upper Peninsula, youth hunters participating in the Liberty Hunt can bait deer Sept. 9-15, 2024. The bait can be any food type. Bait cannot be left on Commercial Forest lands unless the landowner gives permission. Bait volume at any hunting site cannot exceed 2 gallons. Bait dispersal must be over a minimum 10-foot by 10-foot area. Bait must be scattered directly on the ground. It can be scattered by any means, including mechanical spin-cast feeders, provided that the spin-cast feeder does not distribute more than the maximum volume allowed.

I am a hunter with disabilities participating in the Liberty Hunt in the Lower Peninsula. Can I bait deer?
Yes. In the Lower Peninsula, hunters with disabilities participating in the Liberty Hunt can bait deer Sept. 9-15, 2024. The bait can be any food type. All bait must be removed from the bait site by the final day of the season (Sept. 15). Bait cannot be left on Commercial Forest lands unless the landowner gives permission. Bait volume at any hunting site cannot exceed 2 gallons. Bait dispersal must be over a minimum 10-foot by 10-foot area. Bait must be scattered directly on the ground. It can be scattered by any means, including mechanical spin-cast feeders, provided that the spin-cast feeder does not distribute more than the maximum volume allowed.

I am a hunter with disabilities participating in the Liberty Hunt in the Upper Peninsula. Can I bait deer?
Yes. In the Upper Peninsula, hunters with disabilities participating in the Liberty Hunt can bait deer Sept. 9-15, 2024. The bait can be any food type. Bait cannot be left on Commercial Forest lands unless the landowner gives permission. Bait volume at any hunting site cannot exceed 2 gallons. Bait dispersal must be over a minimum 10-foot by 10-foot area. Bait must be scattered directly on the ground. It can be scattered by any means, including mechanical spin-cast feeders, provided that the spin-cast feeder does not distribute more than the maximum volume allowed.

I am a hunter with disabilities participating in the Independence Hunt in the Lower Peninsula. Can I bait deer?
Yes. Hunters with disabilities who meet the Independence Hunt qualifications can use bait during the Independence Hunt. The bait can be any food type. Hunters with disabilities can begin baiting on Oct. 12 and continue through Oct. 20 for the Independence Hunt. All bait must be removed from the bait site by the final day of the season (Oct. 20). Please remember that, although you can place bait five days prior to the start of the Independence Hunt, you can only hunt over the bait during the season, Oct. 17-20. Bait cannot be left on Commercial Forest lands unless the landowner gives permission. Bait volume at any hunting site cannot exceed 2 gallons. Bait dispersal must be over a minimum 10-foot by 10-foot area. Bait must be scattered directly on the ground. It can be scattered by any means, including mechanical spin-cast feeders, provided that the spin-cast feeder does not distribute more than the maximum volume allowed.

Can I plant a food plot to attract deer?
Yes. You can plant a food plot to attract deer on private lands. You cannot construct or maintain a food plot or artificial garden to attract wildlife on public lands. Food plots are naturally occurring foods, standing agricultural crops or food placed as a result of using normal agricultural practices and are not considered to be bait or feed.

Can I use food-scented oils, wicks or scents to attract deer?
Yes. You can use food-scented materials — whether composed of natural or synthetic materials — made inaccessible for consumption by deer and placed in a manner to prohibit physical contact with deer. Examples include oil-based attractants, scented wicks, etc.

Can I possess or use natural cervid urine lures and attractants?
You cannot possess or use lures or attractants in an area frequented by game animals that contain or claim to contain cervid urine or other bodily fluids originating from cervids, except for products produced by manufacturers that are actively enrolled and participating in either the official Responsible Hunting Scent Association or Archery Trade Association Deer Protection Program, which have been tested for the presence of chronic wasting disease by a qualified laboratory and certified that no detectable levels of chronic wasting disease are present and are clearly labeled as such.

Feeding

Can I feed deer in the Lower Peninsula?
No. FEEDING IS BANNED IN THE ENTIRE LOWER PENINSULA. This includes both public and private lands.

Can I feed deer in the Upper Peninsula?
Yes. You can feed deer in the Upper Peninsula when following the rules for recreational or supplemental feeding. Visit Michigan.gov/Deer for feeding regulations.

Hunting with dogs

Can I use my hunting dog to hunt for deer in Michigan?
No. You cannot hunt deer with dogs in Michigan.

Can I use a dog to track or locate a wounded deer?
Yes. You can use a dog to locate a down or mortally wounded deer if the dog is kept on a leash or the tracker can demonstrate control of the dog and those in attendance do not possess a bow, crossbow or firearm. If accompanied by a licensed dog tracker, a hunter may possess a firearm, a cocked crossbow or a bow with a nocked arrow, only at the time and point of kill. If the tracking is done at night, artificial lights ordinarily carried in the hand or on the person may be used. A dog that barks while tracking the deer may not be used on public lands.

Can I retrieve my hunting dog if it runs on to private property?
Yes. Unless previously prohibited by the landowner, you can enter on foot the property of another person for the sole purpose of retrieving a hunting dog. You cannot be in possession of a firearm when retrieving a dog from private property. You should not remain on the property beyond the reasonable time necessary to retrieve the dog.

Commercial hunting guides

Can I hire a hunting guide for deer hunting?
Yes. You can hire a commercial hunting guide for deer hunting in Michigan. A list of licensed commercial hunting guides is available at Michigan.gov/WildlifePermits.

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