Michigan Deer Hunting Season 2025, 2026
Recorded deer windows for Michigan, including history and unverified dates.
Recorded dates, not hunting permission
Status assessment: 2026-10-09 UTC (static build snapshot). Static activity badges and day counts use this build assessment, not a live check. Interactive finder results show their own UTC assessment day.
1 of 5 recorded windows have date-review evidence. Other rows remain unverified. Historical records are retained and are not a current-season promise.
Check your current agency regulations, GMU or zone, hunt code, license and access restrictions before hunting. An agency link or successful publication fetch does not verify a row. Reviewed base dates do not cover every license-specific exception.
Date evidence: Official date source. Review dates apply only to the stated row scope, not an entire state or current license eligibility.
Michigan Deer Season Calendar
Find all deer hunting season dates for Michigan including archery, rifle, muzzleloader, and shotgun seasons for 2025, 2026.
Deer Season Coming Soon
Seasons opening in the next 60 days
Dec 4-6, 2026
Date window reviewed 2026-10-09; verify license-specific exceptions. Actual Michigan DNR Aug19,2026 public bulletin states Lower Peninsula December firearm deer season Dec4–6 and all legal firearms may be used. It separately states Limited Firearms Deer Zone eliminated beginning Sept12. Only published December base dates are reviewed, not individual permission. Sex/tag eligibility, antler restrictions/bag, license/permits/exemptions, DMU/private/public eligibility, current firearm/ammunition rules, orange/hours, reporting, CWD, access and closures require the full guide/current rules. Guide and current chapter403 are explicit gaps; their contents are not verified from search. U.P. muzzleloader dates, regular November firearms, Dec7–Jan1 late antlerless and other hunts are excluded, with no bridge.
All Deer Seasons
5 seasons for Michigan deer hunting
Oct 1 - Nov 14, 2025
Unverified date record; agency review required. Early archery
Dec 1, 2025 - Jan 1, 2026
Unverified date record; agency review required. Late archery
Dec 4-6, 2026
Date window reviewed 2026-10-09; verify license-specific exceptions. Actual Michigan DNR Aug19,2026 public bulletin states Lower Peninsula December firearm deer season Dec4–6 and all legal firearms may be used. It separately states Limited Firearms Deer Zone eliminated beginning Sept12. Only published December base dates are reviewed, not individual permission. Sex/tag eligibility, antler restrictions/bag, license/permits/exemptions, DMU/private/public eligibility, current firearm/ammunition rules, orange/hours, reporting, CWD, access and closures require the full guide/current rules. Guide and current chapter403 are explicit gaps; their contents are not verified from search. U.P. muzzleloader dates, regular November firearms, Dec7–Jan1 late antlerless and other hunts are excluded, with no bridge.
Nov 15-30, 2025
Unverified date record; agency review required. Firearm season
Dec 6-22, 2025
Unverified date record; agency review required. Muzzleloader - south
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Zone-Specific Information
Michigan has different deer hunting dates by zone. This page shows seasons for: Lower Peninsula — December firearm base dates only, Lower Peninsula. Check the official state regulations for detailed zone maps and boundaries.
Important Note for Michigan
Only published Lower Peninsula December firearm deer base dates Dec4–6,2026 are reviewed from actual DNR Aug19 bulletin; no November/UP/late-antlerless or other coverage is verified. Current guide/chapter403 remain source gaps. Sex/tag eligibility, antler/bag, licenses/permits, DMU/private/public eligibility, firearm/ammunition, orange/hours, reporting, CWD, access/permission and closures need full current rules. Seven historical rows and license-year metadata remain unverified.
Michigan Deer Hunting FAQ
Common questions about deer hunting in Michigan
When is deer season in Michigan?
Recorded windows, not one continuous season: 2025-10-01 to 2025-11-14; 2025-12-01 to 2026-01-01; 2026-12-04 to 2026-12-06; 2025-11-15 to 2025-11-30; 2025-12-06 to 2025-12-22. Historical and unverified records may be included. Check each row's evidence and your current GMU/hunt code and license before hunting.
When does archery deer season start in Michigan?
Recorded archery deer window: Oct 1, 2025 to Nov 14, 2025. Unverified date record; agency review required. Early archery
When is deer rifle/firearms season in Michigan?
Recorded windows, not one continuous season: 2026-12-04 to 2026-12-06; 2025-11-15 to 2025-11-30. Historical and unverified records may be included. Check each row's evidence and your current GMU/hunt code and license before hunting.
Does Michigan have a muzzleloader deer season?
Recorded muzzleloader deer window: Dec 6, 2025 to Dec 22, 2025. Unverified date record; agency review required. Muzzleloader - south
Are there different deer hunting zones in Michigan?
Yes, Michigan has zone-specific deer seasons. The zones include: Lower Peninsula — December firearm base dates only, Lower Peninsula. Check the season calendar above for zone-specific dates.
Do I need a license to hunt deer in Michigan?
Yes, you need a valid Michigan hunting license and any required deer tags or permits. Check with the Michigan wildlife agency for current license requirements and fees.
Deer Hunting in Other States
Compare deer seasons across states
View All Michigan Hunting Seasons
See recorded windows and their review status for other species in Michigan.
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