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Hunting rules and regulations
Regulation summaries
These regulation books (formerly called digests) are condensed collections of rules and regulations. The Wildlife Conservation Order contains full listings of regulations and legal descriptions, including the boundaries of management units for each species during their regular hunting seasons.
Download the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app for quick access to regulation summaries.
Harvest reporting
Deer hunters are required to report their harvest within 72 hours or before transferring possession of the deer (to another person, a processer or taxidermist).
Hunters must continue to attach a paper kill tag to a harvested deer. The kill tag should remain with the head if the head and body of the deer are separated.
Report poaching
If you witness a natural resource violation, report it immediately. Call or text: 800-292-7800. Phone lines are open 24/7. You can also use the online poaching complaint form (for complaints within Michigan only). Please note, if you use the form there may be a delay between when your complaint is submitted and when it is received. In urgent cases, please call or text instead.