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Is deer season open in Michigan?
Every Michigan deer season for 2026 from Michigan Department of Natural Resources, open or closed on the day you pick, and when the next one opens.
Michigan deer seasons 2026
Michigan's Regular firearm deer season runs Nov 15 to Nov 30, 2026.
- Early antlerless firearm · Lower PeninsulaSep 12 to Sep 13
- Liberty Hunt · qualified youth and hunters with disabilities onlySep 12 to Sep 13
- ArcheryOct 1 to Nov 14 · Dec 1 to Jan 1, 2027
- Independence Hunt · qualified hunters with disabilities onlyOct 15 to Oct 18
- Regular firearmNov 15 to Nov 30
- Muzzleloader · Upper PeninsulaDec 4 to Dec 6
- December firearm · Lower PeninsulaDec 4 to Dec 6
- Late antlerless firearm · Lower PeninsulaDec 7 to Jan 1, 2027
Michigan Department of Natural Resources. 2026 Michigan Deer Hunting Regulations Summary, checked November 2026.
Deer season · Michigan · Today. Yes. Michigan's Archery season is open today, Oct 1 to Nov 14.
Deer season · Michigan · Today
Season openYes. Michigan's Archery season is open today, Oct 1 to Nov 14.
- Early antlerless firearm · Lower Peninsula
- Liberty Hunt
- Archery
- Independence Hunt
- Regular firearm
- Muzzleloader · Upper Peninsula
- December firearm · Lower Peninsula
- Late antlerless firearm · Lower Peninsula
Early antlerless firearmAntlerless
Sep 12 to Sep 13
Lower Peninsula
Michigan's wording
"Early antlerless firearm Lower Peninsula DMUs (excluding 145 and 245) Sept. 12–13 Open on public and private lands."
Liberty HuntYouth
Sep 12 to Sep 13
Qualified youth and hunters with disabilities only
Michigan's wording
"Liberty Hunt Statewide Sept. 12–13 Qualified youth and hunters with disabilities only."
ArcheryArcheryOpen
Oct 1 to Nov 14 · Dec 1 to Jan 1, 2027
Michigan's wording
"Archery (early segment) Statewide Oct. 1 – Nov. 14 N/A Archery (late segment) Statewide Dec. 1 – Jan. 1 N/A"
Independence HuntOther
Oct 15 to Oct 18
Qualified hunters with disabilities only
Michigan's wording
"Independence Hunt Statewide Oct. 15–18 Qualified hunters with disabilities only. Open on public (by permit only) and private lands."
Regular firearmFirearm
Nov 15 to Nov 30
Michigan's wording
"Regular firearm Statewide Nov. 15–30 N/A"
MuzzleloaderMuzzleloader
Dec 4 to Dec 6
Upper Peninsula
Michigan's wording
"Muzzleloader Upper Peninsula DMUs Dec. 4–6 Go to the Bows, crossbows and firearms section for equipment restrictions."
December firearmFirearm
Dec 4 to Dec 6
Lower Peninsula
Michigan's wording
"December firearm Lower Peninsula DMUs Dec. 4–6 Go to the Bows, crossbows and firearms section for equipment restrictions."
Late antlerless firearmAntlerless
Dec 7 to Jan 1, 2027
Lower Peninsula
Michigan's wording
"Late antlerless firearm Lower Peninsula DMUs (excluding 145 and 245) Dec. 7 – Jan. 1, 2027 Open on public and private lands."
Hunter orange
"Yes. If you are hunting deer with a firearm, you must wear a cap, hat, vest, jacket or rain gear of hunter orange. The hunter orange garments must be your outermost layer and be visible from all sides. Hunter orange includes camouflage that is not less than 50 percent hunter orange."
More from Michigan's rules
"The limited firearms deer zone has been eliminated. Beginning Sept. 12, 2026, hunters can use all legal firearms across the Lower Peninsula."
"No. If you are hunting deer with archery equipment (bow or crossbow) during the archery deer seasons, you are exempt from the hunter orange requirement."
"Rules apply Aug. 1, 2026 – July 31, 2027"
Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources, 2026 Michigan Deer Hunting Regulations Summary, checked November 2026.
A guide to the dates each state printed for the year, not the regulations. Bag limits, permits, weapon rules and unit closures are in the state's own digest, which is the authority.
- Each state's own dates, quoted
- Your zone and your day
- When the next season opens
Hunting in Michigan
38 outfitters, guides and lodges listed in Michigan. Legal shooting hours in Michigan today.
Common questions
Deer season questions
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