Hunting season calendar
Skip to main content

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.

Elk: See season dates in the Michigan Elk Hunting Regulations Summary.

Pheasant (male only):

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.