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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 Regulations Summary.
Bear: See season dates in the Michigan Bear Hunting Regulations Summary.
Cottontail rabbit and snowshoe hare: Sept. 15 – March 31, statewide.
Crow: Aug. 1 – Sept. 30 and Feb. 1 – March 31.
Deer (Hunting Regulations Summary):
- Liberty hunt: Sept. 14 – 15, 2024
- Early antlerless firearm: Sept. 21 – 22, 2024
- Independence hunt: Oct. 17 – 20, 2024
- Archery: Oct. 1 – Nov. 14 and Dec. 1, 2024 – Jan. 1, 2025
- Regular firearm: Nov. 15 – 30, 2024
- Muzzleloading (Zones 1, 2 and 3): Dec. 6 – 15, 2024
- Late antlerless firearm: Dec. 16, 2024 – Jan. 1, 2025
- Extended urban archery: Dec. 1, 2024 – Jan. 31, 2025
- This extended archery season occurs through Jan. 31 for Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne
counties to manage ongoing human-deer conflicts. A deer license, deer combo
license or antlerless deer license are valid during this extended season. All rules
and regulations for the archery season apply.
- This extended archery season occurs through Jan. 31 for Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne
Elk: See season dates in the Michigan Elk Hunting Regulations Summary.
Pheasant (male only):
- Zone 1 (See Hunting Regulations Summary for open areas)
- Oct. 10 – Oct. 31
- Zones 2 and 3
- Oct. 20 – Nov. 14
- Zone 3 (see Hunting Regulations Summary 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 Regulations Summary for open areas)
Squirrel - fox and gray (black phase included): Sept. 15 – Mar. 31
Waterfowl: See season dates section in the Waterfowl Hunting Regulation Summary.
Wild turkey: See hunt units and applicable season dates in the Spring Turkey or Fall Turkey Hunting Regulations Summaries
- Spring seasons: Apr. 20 – Jun. 7
- Fall seasons: Sept. 15 – Nov. 14
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.