HUNTING SEASONS IN MICHIGAN 2025: Deer Hunting, Big Game and Small Game, Licenses, and Regulations Guide

Plan your 2025–26 MI hunt with our comprehensive guide—season dates, bag limits, licenses, bow & rifle rules, and key game species from whitetail deer to turkey to waterfowl. Whether you’re glassing a rutting buck at dawn in northern forests, calling in spring gobblers across oak ridges, or setting decoys for migrating ducks in marsh impoundments, the Great Lakes State delivers diverse big game and small game experiences under clear state regulations. What Is There to Hunt in Michigan? Michigan’s varied habitats—upper-peninsula timberlands, central hardwoods, and southern agricultural flats—support: Big Game: Whitetail deer, black bear, wild turkey, elk (limited units, draw-only), moose (limited UP draw), moose (Zone 2), wolf (depredation hunts) Small Game & Upland Birds: Cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare, ruffed grouse, pheasant, gray and fox squirrels Waterfowl & Migratory Birds: Ducks (mallard, teal, wood duck), geese, swans, rails, coots, mourning dove Furbearers & Predators: Coyote, raccoon, beaver, muskrat, mink Michigan’s seasons cater to archery, rifle, and shotgun hunters alike, offering year-round opportunities. Year‑Round Huntable Species Certain species carry no closed season and no bag limits on private lands: coyote, groundhog, fox, and most furbearers. These hunts provide predator control and off-season trapping opportunities; public lands may impose specific date or method restrictions. Michigan Big Game Hunting Seasons 2025–26 Whitetail Deer Archery: Sept 15 – Nov 14, 2025 Deer Firearm: Nov 15 – Nov 22 (Zone 1); Nov 15 – Nov 29 (Zones 2 & 3) Muzzleloader: Nov 23 – Dec 7, 2025 Late Antlerless: Dec 8 – Dec 20, 2025 Youth Weekend: Oct 4 – 5, 2025 Michigan’s deer seasons include extended archery and split deer firearm hunts per zone. Bag limit: one antlered deer; antlerless tags vary by quota. Wild Turkey (Spring) Spring Turkey: Apr 4 – May 12, 2026 (Zones 1–4) Fall Turkey (Archery): Sept 1 – Oct 15, 2025 Spring turkey hunts allow shotgun and archery; fall archery season offers additional chance. Youth and apprentice permits available in spring. Black Bear & Elk Black Bear: Sept 15 – Oct 31, 2025 (draw) Elk: Sept 1 – Nov 30, 2025 (lottery draw) Moose (UP): Oct 1 – Oct 31, 2025 (Limited draw) Bear, elk, and moose tags are limited-entry via lottery. Hunters must report harvests and follow CWD testing as required. Michigan Small Game & Waterfowl Seasons 2025–26 Upland Game & Small Mammals Rabbit & Squirrel: Sept 1 – Mar 31, 2026 Ruffed Grouse: Sept 1 – Dec 31, 2025 Pheasant: Nov 1 – Jan 15, 2026 (stocked WMAs) Shotgunners and bird dogs patrol fields and woodlots; non-toxic shot is required for upland birds. Waterfowl & Migratory Birds Ducks & Geese: Sept 26 – Nov 29 & Dec 1 – Jan 31, 2026 Youth Waterfowl Day: Sept 19 – 20, 2025 Rails & Coots: Sept 1 – Nov 30, 2025 Mourning Dove: Sept 1 – Nov 9; Dec 1 – Jan 15, 2026 Shooting Hours: Sunrise – sunset; HIP, Federal Duck Stamp, and state waterfowl license required Michigan’s wetlands and reservoirs attract migrating waterfowl; hunters must use non-toxic shot and possess required validations. Bag Limits by Species Whitetail Deer: 1 antlered; antlerless per quota Wild Turkey: 2 per spring; 1 fall archery Ducks: 6 per day; species sub‑limits apply Geese: 5 per day Swans: 1 per season Coot & Rail: 15 per day Rabbit & Squirrel: 10 per day Coyote & Furbearers: No limit on private lands Bag limits ensure sustainable harvests of big game and small game across Michigan’s varied habitats. License & Tags Information for Michigan Hunters (2025–26) All hunters must carry a valid Michigan DNR license and required tags: Resident License: $26 Nonresident License: $150 Deer Tags: $22.80; antlerless via bonus and lottery Turkey Tags: $14.50; youth archery eligible Waterfowl License & Stamp: $10; federal duck stamp & HIP required Bear/Elk/Moose Permits: Lottery fees vary Hunter Education: Mandatory for all hunters born after 1972 Licenses fund habitat restoration and wildlife management; draw applications open in April for big game tags. Hunting Methods: Bow, Rifle, Muzzleloader Michigan authorizes: Archery: Compound, recurve bows, crossbows (archery seasons) Firearms: Center‑fire rifles, shotguns (slugs, buckshot) Muzzleloaders: Single-shot black-powder firearms Dogs & Bait: Allowed for waterfowl and furbearers on USFWS lands; check WMA rules Ensure compliance with weapon regulations—minimum calibers and non-toxic shot for waterfowl and upland birds. Regulations & Resources Michigan DNR regulations cover: Shooting Hours: ½ hour before sunrise to sunset Hunt Zones & Maps: Detailed online by county and management unit Harvest Reporting: Mandatory for deer, bear, turkey within 24 hrs Special Areas: CWD zone restrictions, tribal treaty hunts, and WMAs Before you head out, always verify season dates, bag limits, and license requirements on the official Michigan Department of Natural Resources website to stay compliant and ensure a legal, ethical hunt. This guide was created based on information from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR): https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/hunting/hunting-season-calendar With structured archery, rifle, and waterfowl seasons, clear bag limits, and accessible licensing, Michigan offers world-class hunting for deer, turkey, waterfowl, and predators. Prepare your bow or rifle, secure the proper tags, and explore the Great Lakes State’s rich wildlife heritage on your 2025–26 hunt.