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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.