Michigan Hunting Seasons Dates (Updated)

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Welcome to the Michigan Hunting Seasons page. Updated US Hunting Seasons for 2021-2022.

As part of our comprehensive guide to US Hunting Seasons By State on this page you will find out “When Is Hunting Season for Michigan?”

There is also general information on the different hunting seasons for a wide range of wild game species. You will find links to the relevant State Authority so you can make sure you have all the correct legal obligations in place before you start your hunt.

Michigan Hunting Seasons Dates

Michigan hunting season offers a diverse range of game for the hunter. Species include Deer, Elk, Black Bear, Turkey, Hogs plus a wide variety of other small game and game birds during the hunting season.

IMPORTANT. All care has been taking in preparing this hunting season information for you. Please check the relevant State Authority’s Website for further information and any changes to current US Hunting Season Regulations. We have provided a link to each States hunting season website for your convenience.

Michigan Deer and Elk Hunting Season

Hunting CategoryHunting Season 2021-2022*
Early Antlerless (Firearms)Sept 21-22
Liberty Hunt (Youths & Disabled Hunters)Sept 14-15
Independence Hunt (Disabled Hunters)Oct 17-20
Regular (Firearms)Nov 15-30
(Muzzleloader)Dec 6-22
BowOct 1-Nov 14 & Dec 1-Jan 1
Late Anterless (Firearms)Dec 23-Jan 1
Elk (Period 1)Aug 27-30, Sept 13-16 & Sept 27-30
Elk (Period 2)Dec 14-22
Elk (Period 3)Jan 15-19

* Season dates may vary by zone. Please check the relevant State Authority Website.

Michigan Turkey Hunting Season

The Michigan Department Of Natural Resources makes the following comments about turkey hunting season.

“Why a Fall Turkey Season?Managing wild turkeys in Michigan involves the complex interactions of turkey populations, their habitat and their relationship to people. Hunting plays an important role in managing turkeys by regulating their numbers.

Fall turkey hunting allows the DNR to stabilize or reduce wild turkey numbers in certain areas of the state to meet local goals based on habitat conditions and public attitudes. To help reach these goals, hunters are encouraged to harvest female turkeys during the fall season and are able to harvest more than one bird.

The goal of the spring wild turkey hunting season is to maximize hunter opportunity while maintaining a satisfactory hunting experience. Limited to bearded turkeys only, this conservative harvest approach has allowed the continued growth and expansion of the wild turkey population in Michigan. License quotas are developed to harvest the desired number of turkeys to meet the management goal.”

Hunting CategoryHunting Season 2021-2022*
Fall SeasonSept 15-Nov 14
Spring TBA

* Season dates may vary by zone. Please check the relevant State Authority Website.

Michigan Small Game Hunting Season

A large variety of small to medium sized game can be hunted during the Michigan hunting season.

Hunting CategoryHunting Season 2021-2022*
Russian BoarOpen all Year
Gray & Fox SquirrelSept 15-March 31
CoyoteOpen All Year
OpossumOpen All Year
PorcupineOpen All Year
Cottontail Rabbit & Snowshoe HareSept 15-March 31

* Season dates may vary by zone. Please check the relevant State Authority Website.

Michigan Game Bird Hunting Season

Michigan offers the hunter some fine Game Bird and Waterfowl hunting during hunting season

Hunting CategoryHunting Season 2021-2022*
DucksSept 28 – Dec 29
PheasantOct 10-Jan 1
Grouse (Ruffed)Sept 15-Nov 14 & Dec 1-Jan 1
Grouse (Sharp-tailed)Oct 10-31
Dark Goose (Canada, Brant etc)Sept 1 – Feb 10
Light Goose (Snow, Blue etc)Sept 1 – Feb 10

* Season dates may vary by zone. Please check the relevant State Authority Website. Many Game Birds and Waterfowl season dates vary by zones so please check.

Michigan Black Bear  Hunting Season

The Michigan Department Of Natural Resources makes the following comments about bear hunting season.

“The timing and length of bear hunting seasons varies throughout the state in order to achieve desired harvest levels, while at the same time providing ample recreational hunting opportunities.

Additionally, the number of hunters who desire to hunt in a particular region also varies. In general, bear hunter demand is highest in Bear Management Units with a combination of high bear densities and close proximity to higher human populations.”

Hunting CategoryHunting Season 2021-2022*
Black Bear (Period 1)Sept 11 – Oct 21
Black Bear (Period 2)Sept 16 – Oct 26
Black Bear (Period 3)Sept 25 – Oct 26

* Season dates may vary by zone. Please check the relevant State Authority Website.

I hope you have found this State hunting season information helpful in planning your next great hunting adventure. Please feel free to share this page with your hunting buddies. In addition to these US Hunting Seasons by State pages, you may be interested in these posts.


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