Hunting season calendar

There is an open hunting season at all times on public and private land from Aug. 1 through March 31 every year. Hunters could be encountered in the woods on public lands during these months.

Fur harvester information (includes muskrat, mink, raccoon, fox, bobcat, badger, fisher/marten, beaver, otter and coyote): See the Michigan Fur Harvester Regulations Summary.

Bear: See season dates in the Michigan Bear Hunting Regulations Summary.

Cottontail rabbit and snowshoe hare: Sept. 15 – March 31, statewide.

Crow: Aug. 1 – Sept. 30 and Feb. 1 – March 31.

Deer:

• Liberty hunt: Sept. 14 – 15, 2024
• Early antlerless firearm: Sept. 21 – 22, 2024
• Independence hunt: Oct. 17 – 20, 2024   
• Archery: Oct. 1 – Nov. 14 and Dec. 1, 2024 – Jan. 1, 2025 
  • Extended archery season is extended through Jan. 31, 2025, for select counties: Huron, Kent, Lapeer, Macomb, Oakland, Sanilac, St. Clair (except DMU 174), Tuscola, Washtenaw and Wayne.
• Regular firearm: Nov. 15 – 30, 2024
• Muzzleloading (Zones 1, 2 and 3): Dec. 6 – 15, 2024 
• Late antlerless firearm: Dec. 16, 2024 – Jan. 1, 2025 on private and public lands in Lower Peninsula DMUs (excluding 115, 145 and 245).
• A new extended late antlerless firearm season:  Jan. 2-12, 2025, in Allegan, Barry, Bay, Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, Jackson, Kent, Lapeer, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Mecosta, Midland, Monroe, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oakland, Ottawa, Saginaw, St. Clair (excluding DMU 174), Shiawassee, Wayne and Washtenaw counties; DMU 311 (Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties); DMU 312 (Branch, Kalamazoo and St. Joseph counties); and DMU 332 (Huron, Sanilac and Tuscola counties).
  • A discounted antlerless license for this extended season will be available for $5 per license (in December).
  • Unused tags (DMAP, Combos, Deer, Universal Antlerless) are eligible to be used.
  • Season bag limit is 10 deer.

Elk: See season dates in the Michigan Elk Hunting Regulations Summary.

Pheasant (male only):

See Small game hunting regulations summary for open areas.

• Zone 1 
  • Oct. 10 – Oct. 31
• Zones 2
  • Oct. 20 – Nov. 14
• Zone 3
  • Oct. 20 – Nov. 14 and Dec. 1 – Jan. 1

Quail: Oct. 20 – Nov. 14

Ruffed grouse: Sept. 15 – Nov. 14 and Dec. 1 – Jan. 1

Sharp-tailed grouse: Zone 1: Oct. 10 – 31 (See Small game hunting regulations summary for open areas)

Squirrel - fox and gray (black phase included): Sept. 15 – Mar. 31

Waterfowl: See season dates section in the Waterfowl Hunting Regulation Summary.

Wild turkey: See hunt units and applicable season dates in the Spring Turkey or Fall Turkey Hunting Regulations Summaries

• Spring seasons: Apr. 20 – Jun. 7
• Fall seasons: Sept. 15 – Nov. 14

Woodcock: Sept. 15 – Oct. 29

Opossum, porcupine, weasel, red squirrel, skunk, ground squirrel, woodchuck, Russian boar, feral pigeon, starling and house sparrow may be taken year-round with a valid Michigan hunting license.