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Michigan 2026-27 Hunting Season Dates

Michigan DNROfficial Agency Site ↗

Quick answer

Michigan's listed 2026-27 firearm deer season runs Nov 15-30, 2026.

Archery White-tailed Deer opens Oct 1, 2026 and closes Jan 1, 2027.

Firearm Black Bear opens Sep 9, 2026 and closes Oct 21, 2026.

The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Michigan DNR.

firearm deer
Nov 15-30, 2026
archery deer
Oct 1, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
bear
Sep 9-Oct 21, 2026
Last verified: Source: Michigan DNRHow we update dates

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Key seasons by species

Michigan Deer8 listed season rowsMichigan Turkey10 listed season rowsMichigan Waterfowl32 listed season rowsMichigan Bear44 listed season rowsMichigan Elk6 listed season rows

How to read Michigan's seasons

Regular firearm deer remains the anchor date

Michigan has several special deer opportunities before and after the regular firearm window, but most hunters still build plans around the November firearm season. We call that row out separately so it does not get buried under youth, antlerless, or late-season entries.

Bear, turkey, and waterfowl dates are more zone-sensitive, so use the DNR source link before making a final plan.

We summarize official agency information and link to the source for verification. Regulations can change, and zone details matter. Always confirm final dates, bag limits, permits, and legal requirements with Michigan DNR before hunting.

NEW · Federal Lands
● FINAL RULE · IN EFFECT SINCE AUG 31, 2026

New 2026-27
federal openings
in Michigan

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service opened or expanded hunting and fishing access at 4 stations in Michigan. The final rule took effect August 31, 2026.

View all 111 changes →Read the final rule ↗

Deer

White-tailed Deer

Archery

Open
OPEN

Oct. 1 - Nov. 14, 2026 and Dec. 1, 2026 - Jan. 1, 2027

Zone: Statewide

White-tailed Deer

Independence Hunt (Disability)

Upcoming
9d

Open to hunters with qualifying disabilities

Zone: Statewide

White-tailed Deer

Regular Firearm

Upcoming
40d

Zone: Statewide

White-tailed Deer

Muzzleloader

Upcoming
59d

Zone: Zones 1, 2 and 3

White-tailed Deer

Late Antlerless Firearm

Upcoming
69d

Zone: Statewide

White-tailed Deer

Extended Late Antlerless Firearm

Upcoming
88d

Zone: Statewide

White-tailed Deer

Liberty Hunt (Youth/Disability)

Closed
—

Open to youth and those with qualifying disabilities

Zone: Statewide

White-tailed Deer

Early Antlerless Firearm

Closed
—

Zone: Statewide

Turkey

Wild Turkey

Fall

Closed
—

2025 fall season

Zone: TMU I

Wild Turkey

Fall Firearm

Closed
—

2025 fall season

Zone: TMU M

Wild Turkey

Fall

Closed
—

2025 fall season

Zone: TMU M

Wild Turkey

Fall Firearm

Closed
—

2025 fall season

Zone: TMU I

Wild Turkey

Spring

Closed
—

2026 spring season; Hunt 0302

Zone: TMU ZZ

Wild Turkey

Spring

Closed
—

2026 spring season; Hunt 0301

Zone: TMU ZZ (private land)

Wild Turkey

Spring

Closed
—

2026 spring season; Hunt 0110

Zone: TMU M

Wild Turkey

Spring

Closed
—

2026 spring season; Hunt 0134

Zone: TMU NN

Wild Turkey

Spring

Closed
—

2026 spring season; Hunt 0303

Zone: TMU ZZ May

Wild Turkey

Spring

Closed
—

2026 spring season; Hunt 0234

Zone: Statewide TMU

Bear

44 listed rows

Black Bear

Firearm

Open
OPEN

Hunt 0001

Zone: Bergland 1

Black Bear

Firearm

Open
OPEN

Hunt 0007

Zone: Amasa 1

Black Bear

Firearm

Open
OPEN

Hunt 0004

Zone: Baraga 1

Black Bear

Firearm/Archery

Open
OPEN

Hunt 0004

Zone: Baraga 1

Black Bear

Firearm/Archery

Open
OPEN

Hunt 0010

Zone: Carney 1

Black Bear

Firearm/Archery

Open
OPEN

Hunt 0001

Zone: Bergland 1

Black Bear

Firearm

Open
OPEN

Hunt 0013

Zone: Gwinn 1

Black Bear

Firearm/Archery

Open
OPEN

Hunt 0007

Zone: Amasa 1

Black Bear

Firearm/Archery

Open
OPEN

Hunt 0016

Zone: Newberry 1

Black Bear

Firearm/Archery

Open
OPEN

Hunt 0013

Zone: Gwinn 1

Black Bear

Firearm

Open
OPEN

Hunt 0016

Zone: Newberry 1

Black Bear

Firearm/Archery

Open
OPEN

Hunt 0019

Zone: Drummond Island 1

More bear seasons: season, dates, and status
SeasonDatesStatus
Black BearFirearm · Drummond Island 1Hunt 0019Open
Black BearFirearm · Carney 1Hunt 0010Open
Black BearFirearm · Gladwin 1Hunt 0022; Season runs Sept. 12-22 and Oct. 2-8Open
Black BearFirearm/Archery · Baldwin 1Hunt 0021; dates Sept. 12-22 and Oct. 2-8Open
Black BearFirearm · Red Oak 1Hunt 0020; Season runs Sept. 12-22 and Oct. 2-8Open
Black BearFirearm/Archery · Red Oak 1Hunt 0020; dates Sept. 12-22 and Oct. 2-8Open
Black BearFirearm/Archery · Gladwin 1Hunt 0022; dates Sept. 12-22 and Oct. 2-8Open
Black BearFirearm · Baldwin 1Hunt 0021; Season runs Sept. 12-22 and Oct. 2-8Open
Black BearFirearm/Archery · Bergland 2Hunt 0002Open
Black BearFirearm · Amasa 2Hunt 0008Open
Black BearFirearm/Archery · Amasa 2Hunt 0008Open
Black BearFirearm · Bergland 2Hunt 0002Open
Black BearFirearm · Carney 2Hunt 0011Open
Black BearFirearm/Archery · Baraga 2Hunt 0005Open
Black BearFirearm · Newberry 2Hunt 0017Open
Black BearFirearm/Archery · Gwinn 2Hunt 0014Open
Black BearFirearm · Gwinn 2Hunt 0014Open
Black BearFirearm/Archery · Carney 2Hunt 0011Open
Black BearFirearm · Baraga 2Hunt 0005Open
Black BearFirearm/Archery · Newberry 2Hunt 0017Open
Black BearFirearm/Archery · Amasa 3Hunt 0009Open
Black BearFirearm/Archery · Bergland 3Hunt 0003Open
Black BearFirearm/Archery · Carney 3Hunt 0012Open
Black BearFirearm · Bergland 3Hunt 0003Open
Black BearFirearm · Baraga 3Hunt 0006Open
Black BearFirearm · Gwinn 3Hunt 0015Open
Black BearFirearm · Amasa 3Hunt 0009Open
Black BearFirearm · Carney 3Hunt 0012Open
Black BearFirearm/Archery · Gwinn 3Hunt 0015Open
Black BearFirearm/Archery · Baraga 3Hunt 0006Open
Black BearFirearm/Archery · Newberry 3Hunt 0018Open
Black BearFirearm · Newberry 3Hunt 0018Open

Elk

Elk

Firearm (EMU H and X)

Upcoming
56d

Hunt period 2

Zone: EMU H and X

Elk

Firearm

Upcoming
56d

Hunt period 2

Zone: EMU H and X

Elk

Firearm

Upcoming
56d

Hunt period 1

Zone: EMU I and X

Elk

Firearm (EMU I and X)

Upcoming
56d

Hunt period 1

Zone: EMU I and X

Elk

Archery (EMU X)

Closed
—

Hunt period 1

Zone: EMU X

Elk

Archery/Firearm

Closed
—

Hunt period 1

Zone: EMU X

Waterfowl

32 listed rows

Common Gallinule, Virginia Rail, Sora Rail, Wilson's Snipe

General

Closed
—

dates not listed

Exact dates not listed in the current data.

Zone: Statewide

Common Gallinule, Virginia Rail, Sora Rail, Wilson's Snipe

Firearm

Closed
—

dates not listed

Exact dates not listed in the current data.

Statewide season

Zone: Statewide

Coot, Duck and Merganser

Firearm

Closed
—

dates not listed

Exact dates not listed in the current data.

Oct. 17 - Dec. 13 and Dec. 26-27

Zone: South Zone

Coot, Duck and Merganser

General

Closed
—

dates not listed

Exact dates not listed in the current data.

Oct. 17 - Dec. 13 and Dec. 26-27

Zone: South Zone

Coot, Duck and Merganser

Firearm

Closed
—

dates not listed

Exact dates not listed in the current data.

Oct. 3 - Nov. 29 and Dec. 12-13

Zone: Middle Zone

Coot, Duck and Merganser

General

Closed
—

dates not listed

Exact dates not listed in the current data.

Oct. 3 - Nov. 29 and Dec. 12-13

Zone: Middle Zone

Coot, Duck and Merganser

Firearm

Closed
—

dates not listed

Exact dates not listed in the current data.

Sept. 26 - Nov. 22 and Nov. 28-29

Zone: North Zone

Coot, Duck and Merganser

General

Closed
—

dates not listed

Exact dates not listed in the current data.

Sept. 26 - Nov. 22 and Nov. 28-29

Zone: North Zone

Dark Goose

General

Closed
—

dates not listed

Exact dates not listed in the current data.

Zone: North Zone

Dark Goose

Firearm

Closed
—

dates not listed

Exact dates not listed in the current data.

Sept. 1-30 and Oct. 3 - Dec. 18

Zone: Middle Zone

Dark Goose

Firearm

Closed
—

dates not listed

Exact dates not listed in the current data.

Zone: Muskegon County WS GMU

Dark Goose

General

Closed
—

dates not listed

Exact dates not listed in the current data.

Sept. 1-30, Oct. 17 - Nov. 4 and Dec. 19 - Feb. 14

Zone: Allegan County GMU

More waterfowl seasons: season, dates, and status
SeasonDatesStatus
Dark GooseGeneral · Middle ZoneSept. 1-30 and Oct. 3 - Dec. 18dates not listedClosed
Dark GooseGeneral · Muskegon County WS GMUdates not listedClosed
Dark GooseGeneral · South ZoneSept. 1-30, Oct 17 - Dec. 13, Dec. 26 - Jan. 3 and Feb. 6-15dates not listedClosed
Dark GooseFirearm · South ZoneSept. 1-30, Oct. 17 - Dec. 13, Dec. 26 - Jan. 3 and Feb. 6-15dates not listedClosed
Dark GooseFirearm · North Zonedates not listedClosed
Dark GooseFirearm · Allegan County GMUSept. 1-30, Oct. 17 - Nov. 4 and Dec. 19 - Feb. 14dates not listedClosed
Light GooseFirearm · North Zonedates not listedClosed
Light GooseFirearm · Allegan County GMUSept. 1-30, Oct. 17 - Nov. 4 and Dec. 19 - Feb. 14dates not listedClosed
Light GooseGeneral · Muskegon County WS GMUdates not listedClosed
Light GooseGeneral · Middle ZoneSept. 1-30 and Oct. 3 - Dec. 18dates not listedClosed
Light GooseGeneral · Allegan County GMUSept. 1-30, Oct. 17 - Nov. 4 and Dec. 19 - Feb. 14dates not listedClosed
Light GooseFirearm · Middle ZoneSept. 1-30 and Oct. 3 - Dec. 18dates not listedClosed
Light GooseFirearm · South ZoneSept. 1-30, Oct. 17 - Dec. 13, Dec. 26 - Jan. 3 and Feb. 6-15dates not listedClosed
Light GooseGeneral · South ZoneSept. 1-30, Oct 17 - Dec. 13, Dec. 26 - Jan. 3 and Feb. 6-15dates not listedClosed
Light GooseFirearm · Muskegon County WS GMUdates not listedClosed
Light GooseGeneral · North Zonedates not listedClosed
TealEarly Season · StatewideEarly teal seasondates not listedClosed
TealEarly Teal · Statewidedates not listedClosed
WaterfowlYouth · StatewideYouth Waterfowl Hunting Weekenddates not listedClosed
WaterfowlVeterans and Active-Duty Military · StatewideVeterans and Active-Duty U.S. Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Daysdates not listedClosed

Pheasant

Pheasant

Firearm

Closed
—

2025 season

Zone: Zone 1

Pheasant

General

Closed
—

2025 season

Zone: Zone 1

Pheasant

General

Closed
—

2025 season

Zone: Zone 2

Pheasant

Firearm

Closed
—

2025 season; Oct. 20 - Nov. 14 and Dec. 1 - Jan. 1

Zone: Zone 3

Pheasant

Firearm

Closed
—

2025 season

Zone: Zone 2

Pheasant

General

Closed
—

2025 season; Oct. 20 - Nov. 14 and Dec. 1 - Jan. 1

Zone: Zone 3

Quail

Quail

Firearm

Closed
—

2025 season

Zone: Statewide

Quail

General

Closed
—

2025 season

Zone: Statewide

Grouse

Ruffed Grouse

Early Season

Closed
—

dates not listed

Exact dates not listed in the current data.

Annual early season Sept. 15 - Nov. 14

Zone: Statewide

Ruffed Grouse

Late Season

Closed
—

dates not listed

Exact dates not listed in the current data.

Annual late season Dec. 1 - Jan. 1

Zone: Statewide

Sharp-tailed Grouse

General

Closed
—

dates not listed

Exact dates not listed in the current data.

Zone: Zone 1

Sharp-tailed Grouse

Firearm

Closed
—

dates not listed

Exact dates not listed in the current data.

Zone 1 only

Zone: Zone 1

Rabbit

Rabbit and Hare

Firearm

Closed
—

2025/26 season

Zone: Statewide

Rabbit and Hare

General

Closed
—

2025/26 season

Zone: Statewide

Squirrel

Fox and Gray Squirrel

Firearm

Closed
—

2025/26 season

Zone: Statewide

Fox and Gray Squirrel

General

Closed
—

2025/26 season

Zone: Statewide

Furbearer

Coyote

Trapping

Closed
—

dates not listed

Exact dates not listed in the current data.

Annual trapping season Oct. 15 - Mar. 1

Zone: Statewide

Migratory Birds

American Woodcock

Firearm

Closed
—

2025 season

Zone: Statewide

Woodcock

General

Closed
—

2025 season

Zone: Statewide

Coyote

Coyote

Management

Closed
—

dates not listed

Exact dates not listed in the current data.

Annual management season Mar. 2 - Oct. 14

Zone: Statewide

Coyote

Trapping

Closed
—

dates not listed

Exact dates not listed in the current data.

Annually Oct. 15 - Mar. 1

Zone: Statewide

Coyote

Hunting

Closed
—

dates not listed

Exact dates not listed in the current data.

Annual season Oct. 15 - Mar. 1

Zone: Statewide

Other

Crow

Late Season

Closed
—

dates not listed

Exact dates not listed in the current data.

Annual late season Aug. 1 - Sept. 30

Zone: Statewide

Crow

Early Season

Closed
—

dates not listed

Exact dates not listed in the current data.

Annual early season Feb. 1 - Mar. 31

Zone: Statewide

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Michigan Hunting Season FAQ

When does deer season start in Michigan?

October 1, 2026 is the first listed deer opener for Michigan; it is archery white-tailed deer Oct 1, 2026-Jan 1, 2027.

When is Michigan's firearm deer season?

Nov 15-30, 2026 is the listed firearm deer window for Michigan. Check zone and permit details with Michigan DNR before hunting.

Do I need a license to hunt in Michigan?

Yes. Hunters generally need the appropriate Michigan hunting license, and some seasons may require tags, permits, stamps, or zone-specific authorizations. Confirm final requirements with Michigan DNR.

Explore more hunting seasons

Nearby states

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