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Small game hunting in Michigan
Season information
License requirements to hunt small game:
- Base license.
- All woodcock hunters must obtain a free woodcock stamp, which includes registration with the federal Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP).
- Sharp-tailed grouse requires a free sharp-tailed grouse stamp.
- A $25 pheasant license is required for all pheasant hunters 18 years old and older planning to hunt pheasants on any public land in the Lower Peninsula or on lands enrolled in the Hunting Access Program.
- Exempt from purchasing the license: Private-land pheasant hunters statewide, public-land pheasant hunters in the Upper Peninsula, lifetime license holders, hunters 17 years old and younger, and those only hunting pheasants at a game bird hunting preserve.
Hunting regulations
Small game species
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Grouse (ruffed — tap or click for info)
Season dates:
Sept. 15 - Nov. 14 and Dec. 1 - Jan. 1
Bag limits and additional info:
Bag limit: 5 (daily), 10 (possession) in zones 1 and 2; and 3 (daily), 6 (possession) in Zone 3
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Pheasant (tap or click for info)
Season dates:
- Zone 1 (U.P.) pheasant unit: Oct. 10–31
- Zone 2 (L.P.) pheasant units: Oct. 20 – Nov. 14
- Zone 3 (L.P.) pheasant units: Oct. 20 – Nov. 14 and Dec. 1 – Jan. 1
Full details and pheasant unit boundaries can be found in the Small game hunting regulations summary.
Bag limits and additional info:
Bag limit: 2 (daily), 4 (possession)
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Rabbit and hare (tap or click for info)
Season dates:
Sept 15 - Mar 31
Bag limits and additional info:
Bag limit: 5 (daily), 10 (possession, combined)
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Woodcock (tap or click for info)
Season dates:
Sept. 15 - Oct. 29
Bag limits and additional info:
Bag limit: 3 (daily), 9 (possession)
Notes: Shotguns must be plugged so they are capable of holding no more than three shells. All woodcock hunters must obtain a free woodcock stamp in addition to a valid base license, available from all license agents or online. The woodcock stamp includes registration with the federal Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP). A current-year HIP endorsement must be carried when hunting migratory birds. Hunters can promote sound woodcock management by promptly reporting all banded birds harvested, including date and location taken. To report bands, go to www.reportband.gov, or call 800-327-BAND.
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Crow (tap or click for info)
Season dates:
Aug. 1 - Sept. 30 and Feb. 1 - March 31
Bag limits and additional info:
Bag limit: No limit
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Grouse (sharp-tailed — tap or click for info)
Season dates:
Oct. 10-31
Bag limits and additional info:
Bag limit: 2 (daily), 4 (possession), 6 (season)
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Quail (tap or click for info)
Season dates:
Oct. 20 - Nov. 14
Bag limits and additional info:
Bag limit: 5 (daily), 10 (possession)
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Squirrel (tap or click for info)
Gray squirrel and fox squirrel
Season dates:
Sept. 15 - March 31
Bag limits and additional info:
Bag limit: 5 (daily), 10 (possession)
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Year-round, no limit (tap or click for info)
Coyote, opossum, porcupine, weasel, red squirrel, skunk, ground squirrel, woodchuck, Russian boar, feral pigeon, starling and house sparrow
Season dates:
Year-round
Bag limits and additional info:
Bag limit: No limit
Note: Please see Chapter VII of the Wildlife Conservation Order for more information on hunting in state parks and recreation areas.