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Michigan 2026-27 Hunting Season Dates

Michigan DNROfficial Agency Site ↗

Quick answer

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

Archery deer season runs Oct 1-Nov 14, 2026, and Dec 1, 2026-Jan 1, 2027.

Duck season opens between September 26, 2026 and October 17, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes December 27, 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-Nov 14, 2026 and Dec 1, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
duck
opens Sep 26-Oct 17, 2026 by zone
Last verified: Source: Michigan DNRHow we update dates

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Key seasons by species

Michigan Deer9 listed season rowsMichigan Turkey8 listed season rowsMichigan Waterfowl32 listed season rowsMichigan Bear25 listed season rowsMichigan Elk3 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

Zone: Statewide

White-tailed Deer

Regular Firearm

Upcoming
10d

Zone: Statewide

White-tailed Deer

Archery

Upcoming
26d

Zone: Statewide

White-tailed Deer

Muzzleloader

Upcoming
29d

Upper Peninsula DMUs

Zone: Upper Peninsula DMUs

White-tailed Deer

December Firearm

Upcoming
29d

Lower Peninsula DMUs

Zone: Lower Peninsula DMUs

White-tailed Deer

Late Antlerless Firearm

Upcoming
32d

Zone: Statewide

White-tailed Deer

Early Antlerless Firearm

Closed
—

Zone: Statewide

White-tailed Deer

Liberty Hunt

Closed
—

Open to youth and those with qualifying disabilities

Zone: Statewide

White-tailed Deer

Independence Hunt

Closed
—

Open to hunters with qualifying disabilities

Zone: Statewide

Turkey

Wild Turkey

Fall Hunting Season

Open
OPEN

Hunt 0402

Zone: TMU M

Wild Turkey

Fall Hunting Season

Open
OPEN

Hunt 0401

Zone: TMU I

Wild Turkey

Spring Hunting Season

Closed
—

Hunt 0302

Zone: TMU ZZ

Wild Turkey

Spring Hunting Season

Closed
—

Hunt 0134

Zone: TMU NN

Wild Turkey

Spring Hunting Season

Closed
—

Hunt 0110

Zone: TMU M

Wild Turkey

Spring Hunting Season

Closed
—

Hunt 0301

Zone: TMU ZZ (private land)

Wild Turkey

Spring Hunting Season

Closed
—

Hunt 0303

Zone: TMU ZZ May

Wild Turkey

Spring Hunting Season

Closed
—

Hunt 0234

Zone: Statewide TMU

Bear

25 listed rows

Black Bear

Hunting Season

Closed
—

Hunt 0007

Zone: Amasa 1

Black Bear

Hunting Season

Closed
—

Hunt 0001

Zone: Bergland 1

Black Bear

Hunting Season

Closed
—

Hunt 0004

Zone: Baraga 1

Black Bear

Hunting Season

Closed
—

Hunt 0010

Zone: Carney 1

Black Bear

Hunting Season

Closed
—

Hunt 0013

Zone: Gwinn 1

Black Bear

Hunting Season

Closed
—

Hunt 0019

Zone: Drummond Island 1

Black Bear

Hunting Season

Closed
—

Hunt 0016

Zone: Newberry 1

Black Bear

Hunting Season

Closed
—

Hunt 0021; dates vary: Sept. 12-22 and Oct. 2-8

Zone: Baldwin 1

Black Bear

Hunting Season

Closed
—

Hunt 0020; dates vary: Sept. 12-22 and Oct. 2-8

Zone: Red Oak 1

Black Bear

Hunting Season

Closed
—

Hunt 0022; dates vary: Sept. 12-22 and Oct. 2-8

Zone: Gladwin 1

Black Bear

Hunting Season

Closed
—

Hunt 0002

Zone: Bergland 2

Black Bear

Hunting Season

Closed
—

Hunt 0008

Zone: Amasa 2

More bear seasons: season, dates, and status
SeasonDatesStatus
Black BearHunting Season · Gwinn 2Hunt 0014Closed
Black BearHunting Season · Baraga 2Hunt 0005Closed
Black BearHunting Season · Carney 2Hunt 0011Closed
Black BearHunting Season · Newberry 2Hunt 0017Closed
Black BearHunting Season · Gwinn 3Hunt 0015Closed
Black BearHunting Season · Newberry 3Hunt 0018Closed
Black BearHunting Season · Carney 3Hunt 0012Closed
Black BearHunting Season · Amasa 3Hunt 0009Closed
Black BearHunting Season · Bergland 3Hunt 0003Closed
Black BearHunting Season · Baraga 3Hunt 0006Closed
Black BearHunting Season · Gladwin 1Hunt 0022; dates vary: Sept. 12-22 and Oct. 2-8Closed
Black BearHunting Season · Red Oak 1Hunt 0020; dates vary: Sept. 12-22 and Oct. 2-8Closed
Black BearHunting Season · Baldwin 1Hunt 0021; dates vary: Sept. 12-22 and Oct. 2-8Closed

Elk

Elk

Hunting Season

Upcoming
26d

Hunt period 1

Zone: EMU I and X

Elk

Hunting Season

Upcoming
26d

Hunt period 2

Zone: EMU H and X

Elk

Hunting Season

Closed
—

Hunt period 1

Zone: EMU X

Waterfowl

32 listed rows

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

Hunting Season

Open
OPEN

Zone: Statewide

Coot, Duck and Merganser

Hunting Season

Open
OPEN

Zone: North Zone

Coot, Duck and Merganser

Hunting Season

Open
OPEN

Zone: Middle Zone

Coot, Duck and Merganser

Hunting Season

Open
OPEN

Zone: South Zone

Dark Goose

Hunting Season

Open
OPEN

Zone: North Zone

Dark Goose

Hunting Season

Open
OPEN

Zone: Middle Zone

Dark Goose

Hunting Season

Open
OPEN

Zone: South Zone

Dark Goose

Hunting Season

Open
OPEN

Zone: Muskegon County WS GMU

Light Goose

Hunting Season

Open
OPEN

Zone: North Zone

Light Goose

Hunting Season

Open
OPEN

Zone: Middle Zone

Light Goose

Hunting Season

Open
OPEN

Zone: South Zone

Light Goose

Hunting Season

Open
OPEN

Zone: Muskegon County WS GMU

More waterfowl seasons: season, dates, and status
SeasonDatesStatus
Coot, Duck and MerganserHunting Season · North ZoneUpcoming
Coot, Duck and MerganserHunting Season · Middle ZoneUpcoming
Coot, Duck and MerganserHunting Season · South ZoneUpcoming
Dark GooseHunting Season · South ZoneClosed
Dark GooseHunting Season · Middle ZoneClosed
Dark GooseHunting Season · Allegan County GMUClosed
Dark GooseHunting Season · Allegan County GMUClosed
Dark GooseHunting Season · Allegan County GMUUpcoming
Dark GooseHunting Season · South ZoneUpcoming
Dark GooseHunting Season · South ZoneUpcoming
Light GooseHunting Season · Allegan County GMUClosed
Light GooseHunting Season · Middle ZoneClosed
Light GooseHunting Season · South ZoneClosed
Light GooseHunting Season · Allegan County GMUClosed
Light GooseHunting Season · Allegan County GMUUpcoming
Light GooseHunting Season · South ZoneUpcoming
Light GooseHunting Season · South ZoneUpcoming
TealEarly Teal · StatewideClosed
WaterfowlYouth Waterfowl Hunting Weekend · StatewideClosed
WaterfowlVeterans and Active-Duty U.S. Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Days · StatewideClosed

Pheasant

Ring-necked Pheasant

Hunting Season

Open
OPEN

Zone: Zone 3

Ring-necked Pheasant

Hunting Season

Open
OPEN

Zone: Zone 2

Ring-necked Pheasant

Hunting Season

Upcoming
26d

Zone: December pheasant management unit

Ring-necked Pheasant

Hunting Season

Closed
—

Zone: Zone 1

Quail

Bobwhite Quail

Hunting Season

Open
OPEN

Select counties

Zone: Select counties

Grouse

Ruffed Grouse

Early Season

Open
OPEN

Annually

Zone: Statewide

Ruffed Grouse

Late Season

Upcoming
26d

Annually

Zone: Statewide

Sharp-tailed Grouse

Hunting Season

Closed
—

Zone: Zone 1

Rabbit

Cottontail Rabbit

Hunting Season

Open
OPEN

Zone: Statewide

Snowshoe Hare

Hunting Season

Open
OPEN

Zone: Statewide

Cottontail Rabbit

Management Season

Upcoming
147d

Zone: Statewide

Squirrel

Fox and Gray Squirrel

Hunting Season

Open
OPEN

Fox and/or gray; black phase included

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

Hunting Season

Closed
—

Zone: Statewide

Coyote

Coyote

Trapping Season

Open
OPEN

Annually

Zone: Statewide

Coyote

Hunting Season

Open
OPEN

Annually

Zone: Statewide

Coyote

Management Season

Upcoming
117d

Annually; Oct. 14 close date falls in 2027

Zone: Statewide

Other

Crow

Early Season

Upcoming
88d

Annually

Zone: Statewide

Crow

Late Season

Closed
—

Annually

Zone: Statewide

When to plant food plots in MichiganPlanting dates for 17 crops →
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Michigan Hunting Season FAQ

When does deer season start in Michigan?

Archery deer season runs Oct 1-Nov 14, 2026, and Dec 1, 2026-Jan 1, 2027. Firearm deer season runs Nov 15-30, 2026. Dates can differ by zone and permit; confirm with Michigan DNR.

When is Michigan's firearm deer season?

Firearm deer season runs Nov 15-30, 2026. 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

Indiana hunting seasonsOhio hunting seasonsWisconsin hunting seasons

Compare by species

Deer season by stateTurkey season by stateWaterfowl season by stateBear season by stateElk season by stateDove season by stateWhat's open right now