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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 Digest.

Bear: See season dates in the Michigan Bear Hunting Digest.

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

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

Deer (Hunting Digest):

  • Liberty Hunt: Sept. 9-10, 2023
    • Youth and hunters with disabilities hunt
  • Early antlerless firearm: Sept. 16-17, 2023
  • Independence Hunt: Oct. 19-22, 2023
    • Hunters with disabilities hunt
  • Archery: Oct. 1 - Nov. 14 and Dec. 1 - Jan. 1, 2023
  • Regular firearm: Nov. 15-30
  • Muzzleloading:
    • Zone 1: Dec. 2-11, 2022
    • Zone 2: Dec. 2-11, 2022
    • Zone 3: Dec. 2-11, 2022
  • Late antlerless firearm:
    • Dec. 12, 2022 - Jan. 1, 2023

Elk: See season dates in the Michigan Elk Hunting Digest.

Pheasant (male only):

  • Zone 1 (See Hunting Digest for open areas)     
    • Oct. 10 - Oct. 31
  • Zones 2 and 3  
    • Oct. 20 - Nov. 14
  • Zone 3 (see Hunting Digest for open areas)
    •  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 Hunting Digest for open areas)

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

Waterfowl: See season dates section in the Waterfowl Hunting Digest.

Wild turkey

  • Fall season: Sept. 15 through Nov. 14, 2022 (see Fall Turkey Digest for applicable units)

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.