Deer season 2026 · last checked Sep 26, 2026
Michigan deer season dates 2026
Official dates from Michigan Department of Natural Resources, by season and zone, plus the public land in Michigan from our directory. Archery opens Oct. 1, 2026. Firearms: Nov. 15, 2026 (Regular firearm, statewide).
Last checked Sep 26, 2026 against the official Michigan Department of Natural Resources page. Dates vary by zone, unit and county, and agencies can change them. Confirm with Michigan Department of Natural Resources before you hunt.
Quick answers
- When does archery deer season start in Michigan?
- Oct. 1, 2026, per Michigan Department of Natural Resources. See the table for zone differences and closing dates.
- When does gun (firearms) deer season start in Michigan?
- Nov. 15, 2026 (Regular firearm, statewide).
- Where are the official rules?
- Michigan Department of Natural Resources: hunting information. Bag limits, licenses, tags and weapon rules are not repeated here.
Michigan deer season dates, 2026
Deer
| Season | Where | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Liberty Hunt (qualified youth & hunters with disabilities) | Statewide | Sept. 12–13, 2026 |
| Early antlerless firearm | Lower Peninsula DMUs (excluding 145 and 245) | Sept. 12–13, 2026 |
| Archery (early segment) | Statewide | Oct. 1 – Nov. 14, 2026 |
| Independence Hunt (qualified hunters with disabilities) | Statewide | Oct. 15–18, 2026 |
| Regular firearm | Statewide | Nov. 15–30, 2026 |
| Archery (late segment) | Statewide | Dec. 1, 2026 – Jan. 1, 2027 |
| December firearm | Lower Peninsula DMUs | Dec. 4–6, 2026 |
| Muzzleloader | Upper Peninsula DMUs | Dec. 4–6, 2026 |
| Late antlerless firearm | Lower Peninsula DMUs (excluding 145 and 245) | Dec. 7, 2026 – Jan. 1, 2027 |
- For 2026 the DNR says the limited firearms deer zone has been eliminated, and there is no extended late antlerless season or January archery season in 2027.
- South Fox Island (DMU 245) has its own dates. See the DNR summary.
Official sources (checked Sep 26, 2026)
Public land in Michigan that may allow deer hunting
Our directory lists 238 named public land units in Michigan (about 5.2M ac, from USGS PAD-US 4.1): 163 state wildlife & game areas, 26 forests & grasslands, 11 wildlife refuges & WPAs, 1 BLM units, 19 state trust / land board tracts, 18 other public land units. PAD-US shows who manages the land. It doesn’t cover hunting rules. Before you go, check the area’s own rules with the managing agency. WMAs, refuges and forests often have special dates, permits or closed zones.
State wildlife areas & game lands in Michigan
All 163 →- State wildlife / game area
Allegan State Game Area
50,569 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Allegan County
Mixed (open and restricted parcels) - State wildlife / game area
St. Clair Flats State Wildlife Area
25,442 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · St. Clair County
Open access - State wildlife / game area
Gratiot-Saginaw State Game Area
16,681 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Gratiot County, Saginaw County
Open access - State wildlife / game area
Barry State Game Area
16,618 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Barry County
Mixed (open and restricted parcels) - State wildlife / game area
Muskegon State Game Area
15,361 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Muskegon County, Newaygo County
Open access - State wildlife / game area
Munuscong State Wildlife Management Area
14,171 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Chippewa County
Mixed (open and restricted parcels) - State wildlife / game area
Bullock Ranch State Wildlife Management Area
13,427 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Schoolcraft County
Open access - State wildlife / game area
Flat River State Game Area
11,315 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Montcalm County, Ionia County
Mixed (open and restricted parcels) - State wildlife / game area
Muskegon County Wastewater System Management Area
11,193 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Muskegon County
Open access
National & state forests and grasslands in Michigan
All 26 →- National Forest land
Ottawa National Forest
994,918 acres
U.S. Forest Service (USDA) · Gogebic County, Ontonagon County + 4 more
Open access - National Forest land
Hiawatha National Forest
899,666 acres
U.S. Forest Service (USDA) · Delta County, Chippewa County + 4 more
Open access - National Forest land
Manistee National Forest
538,712 acres
U.S. Forest Service (USDA) · Lake County, Newaygo County + 7 more
Open access - National Forest land
Huron National Forest
436,231 acres
U.S. Forest Service (USDA) · Oscoda County, Alcona County + 3 more
Open access - State forest
Newberry State Forest Area
348,528 acres
State: department of natural resources · Luce County, Chippewa County
Open access - State forest
Crystal Falls State Forest Area
300,740 acres
State: department of natural resources · Dickinson County, Iron County
Open access
National wildlife refuges & WPAs in Michigan
All 11 →- National Wildlife Refuge
Seney National Wildlife Refuge
95,317 acres
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service · Schoolcraft County
Restricted access - National Wildlife Refuge
Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge
10,130 acres
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service · Saginaw County
Restricted access - National Wildlife Refuge
Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge
2,729 acres
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service · Wayne County, Monroe County
Restricted access - National Wildlife Refuge
Green Bay National Wildlife Refuge
1,336 acres
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service · Delta County
Restricted access
BLM land in Michigan
- BLM public land
BLM Northeastern States District Office Public Lands
593 acres
Bureau of Land Management · Keweenaw County, Presque Isle County
Open access
Counties with the most listed public land
- Tuscola County (13)
- Roscommon County (11)
- Washtenaw County (10)
- Schoolcraft County (8)
- Saginaw County (8)
- Missaukee County (8)
- Dickinson County (8)
- Chippewa County (7)
- Marquette County (7)
- Montcalm County (7)
- Ontonagon County (7)
- Huron County (7)
Not legal advice and not an official source. This independent site is not affiliated with any government agency. Season dates are copied from the agency pages linked above as of the “last checked” date and may have changed since. The agency’s current regulations are what count. Full disclaimer.
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