Hunting Seasons and Dates

When Can I Hunt in Michigan?

While fall is the busiest — and often most rewarding — season for Michigan hunters, spring turkey season also offers great opportunities to get out into the field.

If you hunt multiple species throughout the year, knowing when and where to hunt starts with good planning. We've gathered the latest information to help you prepare, so you can spend less time researching and more time hunting.

That said, hunting seasons and regulations can change. We strongly recommend checking the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) website for the most up-to-date details as you finalize your plans.

Some season dates have already been updated for 2025, and we’ll continue updating this guide as new information becomes available.

Michigan

Michigan offers special hunting seasons for youth and hunters with disabilities. This is the Liberty Hunt. Veterans also have an exclusive hunting day known as the Independence Hunt.

• Liberty (Youth) Hunt: September 14 – 15, 2025
• Early Antlerless (Firearm): September 21 – 22, 2025
• Independence Hunt: October 16 – 19, 2025
• Archery: October 1 – November 14, 2025 and December 1, 2025 – January 1, 2026
• Regular Firearm: November 15 – 30, 2025
• Michigan Muzzleloader Season: December 5 – 14, 2025
• Late Antlerless (Firearm): December 15, 2025 – January 1, 2026
• Extended Urban Archery: December 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026 (select counties)

For more information about Michigan deer hunting season, visit the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Turkey

Check the state's guide for turkey hunting regulations for specifics about licensing, where you can hunt, and more details. Note that the Spring Hunt 0234 does not require an application for a drawing.

• Spring: April 19 – June 7, 2025
• Hunt 0234 (Statewide): May 3 – 31
• Fall 2025:
  • TMU I: September 15 – November 14, 2025
  • TMU M: September 15 – November 14, 2025

Elk

Michigan uses a drawing system for elk hunts. The application period is May 1 – June 1.

• Hunt Period: August 26 – 29, 2025, September 12 – 15, 2025, and September 26 – 29, 2025
• Hunt Period 2: December 13 – 21, 2025

Visit the Michigan DNR Elk Hunting site for more information about dates, the drawing, and regulations.

Black Bear

Make sure your bear license is valid for the specific hunt period, bear management areas (BMUs), and dates you plan to hunt.

• Amasa (Period 1), Baraga (Period 1), Bergland (Period 1), Carney (Period 1), Gwinn (Period 1), Newberry (Period 1):September 10 – October 21, 2025
• Amasa (Period 2), Baraga (Period 2), Bergland (Period 2), Carney (Period 2), Gwinn (Period 2), Newberry (Period 2): September 15 – October 26, 2025
• Amasa (Period 3), Baraga (Period 3), Bergland (Period 3), Carney (Period 3), Gwinn (Period 3), Newberry (Period 3):September 25 – October 26, 2025
• Baldwin and Gladwin: September 13 – 23, 2025
• Drummond Island: September 10 – October 21, 2025
• Red Oak: September 13 – 23 and October 3 – 9, 2025

Small Game

• Quail: October 20 – November 14, 2025
• Rabbit: September 15, 2025 – March 31, 2026
• Snowshoe Hare: September 15 – March 31
• Squirrel:
  • Ground: Year-round
  • Fox and Gray: September 15, 2025 – March 31, 2026
• Pheasant:
  • Zone 1: October 10 – 31, 2025
  • Zone 2: October 20 – November 14, 2025
  • Zone 3: October 20 – November 14, 2025 and December 1, 2025 – January 1, 2026
• Grouse:
  • Ruffed Grouse: September 15 – November 14, 2025 and December 1, 2025 – January 1, 2026
  • Sharp-tailed Grouse (Zone 1): October 10 – 31, 2025
• Woodchuck: Year-round
• Woodcock: September 15 – October 29, 2025

Waterfowl

• Early Teal: September 1 – 9, 2025
• Wilson’s Snipe: September 1 – November 9, 2025
• Virginia and Sora Rail: September 1 – November 9, 2025
• Gallinule: September 1 – November 9, 2025
• Ducks:
  • North Zone: September 27 – November 30, 2025 and December 13 – 14, 2025
  • Middle Zone: October 4 – November 30, 2025 and December 13 – 14, 2025
  • South Zone: October 18 – December 14, 2025 and December 27 – 28, 2025
• Coot:
  • North Zone: September 27 – November 23, 2025 and November 29 – 30, 2025
  • Middle Zone: Octobe 4 – November 30, 2025 and December 13 – 14, 2025
  • South Zone: October 18 – December 14, 2025 and December 27 – 28, 2025
• Merganser:
  • North Zone: September 27 – November 23, 2025 and November 29 – 30, 2025
  • Middle Zone: Octobe 4 – November 30, 2025 and December 13 – 14, 2025
  • South Zone: October 12 – December 8 and December 28 – 29
• Dark Goose (Canada Brant, and White-fronted):
  • North Zone: September 1 – December 16, 2025
  • Middle Zone: September 1– 30, 2025, and October 4 – December 19, 2025
  • South Zone: September 1 – 30, 2025, October 18 – December 14, 2025, December 27, 2025 – January 4, 2026, and January 31 – February 9, 2026
  • Allegan County GMU: September 1 – 30, 2025, October 18 – November 5, 2025, and December 20, 2025 – February 15, 2026
  • Muskegon County Wastewater System GMU: October 21 – December 20, 2025
• Light Goose (Snow, Blue, and Ross’s):
  • North Zone: September 1 – December 16, 2025
  • Middle Zone: September 1– 30, 2025 and October 4 – December 19, 2025
  • South Zone: September 1 – 30, 2025, October 18 – December 14, 2025, December 27, 2025 – January 4, 2026, and January 31 – Februry 9, 2026
  • Allegan County GMU: September 1 – 30, 2025, October 18 – November 5, 2025, and December 20, 2025 – February 15, 2026
  • Muskegon County Wastewater System GMU: October 21 – December 20, 2025

Youth Waterfowl Weekend: September 20 –21, 2025

Additional Year-Round Species

Hunters may take the following species with a valid Michigan hunting license year round.

• Porcupine
• Opossum
• Red Squirrel
• Weasel
• Russian Boar
• Starling
• House Sparrow
• Pigeon