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Reserved deer drawing system
Table of contents
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Tap/click to view regulations
Deer regs home page and glossary of terms
- Managing deer in Michigan
- Deer management plan strategic goals
- Deer hunting season dates
- Deer management units and antler point restrictions
- Bag limits
- License types and fees by age
- Hunter safety
- Mentored hunting
- Apprentice hunting
- Hunters with disabilities
- Michigan residents
- Michigan veterans with disabilities
- U.S. military personnel
- Treaty-authorized hunters
- DNR Sportcard
- Hunt/fish combo license
- Base license
- Deer licenses
- Pure Michigan Hunt
- Identification requirements
- Where to buy licenses and kill tags
- Lost licenses and kill tags
- Application information
- Eligible applicants
- How to apply for an Upper Peninsula antlerless deer hunting access permit
- Application assistance
- Drawing results
- Application information
- How to apply for a reserved deer hunting access permit
- Party applications
- Drawing results
- Hunting hours
- Hunting and trapping zones
- Limited firearms deer zone
- Safety zones
- Public lands
- State lands
- State parks and recreation areas
- National wildlife refuges
- National forest lands
- Commercial Forest lands
- Hunting Access Program
- Local municipalities
- Waterways
- Rights of way
- Trespassing
- Hunter orange
- Elevated platforms and ground blinds
- Bows, crossbows and firearms
- Transporting bows, crossbows and firearms
- Artificial lights
- Off-road vehicles and snowmobiles
- Baiting
- Feeding
- Hunting with dogs
- Commercial hunting guides
- Bovine tuberculosis
- Chronic wasting disease
- Epizootic hemorrhagic disease
- Russian boar
- Validating harvest
- Transporting game animals
- Mandatory deer harvest reporting
- Deer check stations
- Handling and processing deer meat
- Buying and selling game animals
- Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger
- Deer management cooperator patch
Purchasing licenses and kill tags
Antlerless deer drawing system
In certain DMUs on state and federal public lands (see list below), deer harvest is restricted. To hunt deer in these DMUs, you are required to have a reserved deer hunting access permit for the DMU you are hunting AND a valid deer license for the season you are hunting. One reserved deer hunting access permit for the DMU you are hunting plus one unused deer license is required for each deer harvested. Contact the local area office for area-specific details.
- Sharonville State Game Area (DMU 038) – 13575 Seymour Road, Grass Lake, MI 49240; 517-522-4097.
All hunts are reserved for hunters with disabilities. - Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge (DMU 273) – 6975 Mower Road, Saginaw, MI 48601; 989-777-5930.
General and youth hunts available.
Some hunts are reserved for individuals who are incapable of movement without the use of a personal assistive mobility device. - Shiawassee River State Game Area (DMU 273) – 225 E. Spruce St., St. Charles, MI 48655; 989-865-6211 or 989-684-9141.
General and youth hunts available.
How does the reserved deer hunting access permit drawing system work?
Hunters are selected for a reserved deer hunting access permit using a random drawing system. In the access permit drawing, Michigan residents and nonresidents are equally eligible for selection and license purchase. For more information on the reserved deer hunting access permit drawing, visit Michigan.gov/Deer under "Reserved deer hunts."
Application Information
When is the application period for the 2024 reserved deer drawing?
The application period is July 15 – Aug. 15, 2024.
How much is an application?
An application is $5.
How many reserved deer hunting access permit applications can I purchase?
You can only purchase one reserved deer hunting access permit application per year. You can apply for a reserved deer hunting access permit valid for a specific reserved deer hunt during specific season dates.
How to apply for a reserved deer hunting access permit
How do I apply for the drawing?
1. Look at the reserved deer hunt information at Michigan.gov/Deer under “Reserved deer hunts” and choose the DMU you want to hunt.
2. Find your desired season dates for the DMU you chose. Make note of the corresponding hunt number and be sure to select this number when purchasing your application. Read the eligibility requirements for each hunt carefully and make sure you qualify before applying.
3. Purchase an application for the hunt number you chose.
4. Check your receipt for accuracy and retain it as proof of your application.
Party applications
Can I apply to hunt with other hunters?
Yes. You can apply in a party with one other person. If you apply with more than one person, you will be ineligible for the drawing. Everyone in the party will receive a license if the party is selected, except for those who submit an invalid application.
How do I apply with someone else as a party?
The first person to apply (either you or the other member of the party) selects the hunt number(s) and receives a “party ID” number, which is printed on the application receipt. A new party ID number is issued each year. Then, the other person uses the party ID number when applying to complete the party. Make sure to verify the party ID number is identical on both receipts.
Drawing results
When will drawing results be available?
Drawing results will be available on Aug. 26, 2024.
How do I check my drawing results?
You can check your drawing results online at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses, through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app or by calling 517-284-9453. You are responsible for obtaining your drawing results.
What happens if I am selected for an access permit in the drawing?
You can obtain the access permit for which you were selected. Access permits are free. You can obtain your access permit from any license agent, online at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses or through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app.
Can I sell my drawing success?
No. You cannot sell your drawing success. It is unlawful for an individual to receive a fee, other consideration or service of value, either directly or indirectly, for transferring drawing success to another person or assisting and/or guiding that person in the hunt that has been transferred.
When are leftover reserved deer hunting access permits available?
All remaining reserved deer hunting access permits will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis beginning Sept. 3 at 10 a.m. Eastern Time until quotas are met for each DMU. There is no guarantee that leftover access permits will be available. Current leftover license and permit availability may be viewed at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses.