DMU 273 reserved deer hunting information

DMU 273 unit boundaries

Detailed descriptions of the boundaries for DMU 273 can be found online at Michigan.gov/DNRLaws or by contacting a DNR Customer Service Center.

DMU 273 hunt period dates and quotas

Shiawassee River State Game Area (Michigan Department of Natural Resources)

Leftover access permits for reserved deer hunting are available on a first-come, first-served basis beginning Tuesday morning after Labor Day at 8:00am.

Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

* Non-Ambulatory hunts at Shiawassee NWR are subject to special restrictions and requirements.

General rules for DMU 273

Scouting dates

• Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge: Sept. 5–7, 2026 and Sept. 25–27, 2026. 
• Shiawassee River State Game Area: Open to all users from Jan. 2 – Aug. 31 of each year without the need for a permit. Scouting thereafter can be done outside of managed waterfowl areas with a base or small game license during Sept. 1 through Jan. 1 annually.

Youth weekend dates

Sept. 12–13, 2026. Applications available for DMU 273.

Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge Lottery-based Accessibility Hunt

NEW 2026 — A lottery-based accessibility hunt will be held during the State of Michigan Independence Hunt weekend October 15–18, 2026.  This hunt replaces the non-ambulatory hunt that was held November 15–18 annually.   

• All hunters must have a Permit to Hunt from a Standing Vehicle issued by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. 
• Hunters who don’t have a permit or don’t present their permit will be disqualified even if they were successful in the lottery.
• Hunters interested in applying for the lottery-based accessibility hunt must complete hunt application form 3-2439 and email it to shiawassee_accessibility@fws.gov. Only electronic applications will be accepted. 
• Shiawassee NWR will conduct the lottery for this hunt only.  All other white-tailed deer hunts at Shiawassee NWR are managed by Michigan Department of Natural Resources electronic licensing system. 
• This hunt will be administered by Shiawassee NWR volunteers who will contact all successful hunters and provide more detailed information after the lottery.  Please make sure you put current and correct phone number and email address on application.  
• The hunt will be divided into 2 distinct hunts (Hunt A and B). In total, 24 hunters will be selected. Hunters must select Hunt A or Hunt B. 
• Hunt A - October 15 and October 16 
• 12 Any deer permits 
• Hunt B – October 17 and October 18  
• 12 Any deer permits 
• A random lottery will be conducted, and hunters will be contacted in order of the lottery results until 12 hunters are selected for Hunt A and 12 hunters are selected for Hunt B.  
• Leftovers will not be available for sale after the lottery.  
• Only 1 deer may be harvested during hunt period. 

Extended late antlerless season

Extended late antlerless hunting sunset in 2026 and will no longer be legal for January 2027 onward.

Access permits

• Apply for drawing online or at license vendor July 15–Aug. 15. Drawing is random.
• Required to apply:
  • Michigan driver’s license OR
  • State of Michigan ID card (issued by the Secretary of State) OR
  • DNR Sportcard
• Cost to apply is $5.00
• Permits are non-transferrable.
• One permit is valid for one deer.
• Permits do not replace the need for standard deer license. Instead, they act as your passport onto the area during your hunt period and are no longer valid once you harvest a single animal.
• Digital permit (HuntFish App/PDF) or paper permit is acceptable.
• At a maximum, an individual can have 2 permits. One drawn permit and one leftover permit.

Leftover permit availability

• Available first come, first serve basis for free Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, online or in store at 10:00 a.m. until sold out.
• Limit one leftover permit per person.
• Those who applied and were successfully drawn can still retrieve a leftover permit making 2 permits the maximum allowable by an individual.

Applying as a party

• Up to two individuals can apply as a party. If successful, both applicants receive a permit to access the area during the applied hunt period.
• Applying together does not increase draw odds. This instead makes one party out of two individuals that would otherwise be two unique parties.

Equipment regulations

• Legal archery equipment and any legal fiream defined in the Deer Regulations Summary only to be used on the area. Follow state guidelines.
• Non-toxic ammunition is strongly preferred but not required.

Tree stands and ground blinds

• May be used on DMU 273 within the Shiawassee State Game Area and the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge.
• All statewide land use rules and regulations regarding tree stands and ground blinds must be followed.
• Additionally, stands must be placed and removed during an individual's hunt period. Blinds must be placed and removed daily. You may not use screw-in tree steps anywhere on DMU 273.

Additional questions and answers

Are hunt drawing statistics available from a previous draw?
Yes, you can find hunt drawing statistics for DMU 273 here for the State Game Area side and here for the National Wildlife Refuge side. 

Are there antlerless-only hunts available on DMU 273?
Yes. Antlerless-only hunts are offered on both Shiawassee River State Game Area and Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge throughout the season. Refer to the hunt table on this web page to identify which hunt periods and hunt numbers are antlerless-only hunts.

Can another person accompany on my hunt?
Yes, you may have up to one non-hunting person accompany you on your hunt during the period your access permit is valid.

Can I retrieve my deer that I shot on private land if it runs into the refuge?
Yes, you may retrieve your deer.

Can I use a dog to recover a deer that has been shot?
Yes. Follow State of Michigan guidelines.

How do I know if I’m eligible to apply in the drawing?
Non-ambulatory hunts at Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge are subject to eligibility restrictions and requirements (non-ambulatory hunt numbers: 0207, 0208, 2009, and 0210). Hunters may apply for other DMU 273 hunts without restriction.

Youth up to 16 years of age may apply for the youth hunt (Liberty Hunt) as well as one regular season hunt choice. Adults are not eligible to apply for the youth hunt but may accompany a successful youth applicant during the hunt.

How do I apply for the hunt?
First, look at the area map provided on this web page and choose the hunt unit you want to hunt. Next, look at the hunt table on this web page to find your desired season dates for the units you chose. Make a note of the corresponding hunt number(s) and be sure to select this number when purchasing your application. You can purchase an application at any license agent or online at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses. Finally, check your receipt for accuracy and retain it as proof of your application.

How many hunts can I apply for on DMU 273?
You may only apply for one hunt period on either Shiawassee River State Game Area or Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge.

How do I apply with a hunting party?
One of the hunt partners applies first and selects a hunt choice (unit/dates) for the party. A new “party ID” number will be created and printed on the application receipt. The first partner must provide the party ID to the remaining partner to use when they apply, so that all party members have the same party ID on their applications. Be sure to verify the party ID number is identical on all receipts. Applying in a partnership with more than two party members total will result in a forfeiture of eligibility for a reserved deer hunt.

How do I know if I was successful in the drawing?
You are responsible for obtaining your drawing results. They will be available at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses on Aug. 31, 2026 or you can call 517-284-9453.

I was selected for a reserved deer access permit. Where can I obtain my access permit?
You may acquire your access permit online at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses or from any license agent. Prior to acquiring your access permit, you must first have purchased or have a current base license in your virtual shopping cart on the DNR’s online license system before the access permit shows as available.

I obtained my access permit online. When will I get my access permit?
There is no fee for the access permit. Access permits obtained online will be sent to you in a confirmation email. The access permit will appear on the second page of the PDF in the confirmation email. Access permits will NOT be mailed to successful applicants.

I was selected in the drawing but can’t obtain my access permit. Why not?
A base license is required for everyone who hunts in Michigan. While an application may be purchased prior to obtaining your base license, you must purchase your base license for the current year before you can obtain a reserved deer access permit.

DMU 273 contact information

• Bay City Customer Service Center — 989-684-9141
• National Wildlife Refuge — 989-777-5930, option 3
• Shiawassee River State Game Area Office — 989-865-6211