Michigan hunting seasons 2026–27
Copied from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources 2026 regulation summaries. Deer and fall turkey dates are cross-checked against the DNR hunting season calendar. Every table links to the official source. If anything here disagrees with the Michigan DNR, the Michigan DNR is right.
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Hunting season dates 2026–27
By species: Michigan deer season
Deer9 seasons+
| Season | Zone / area | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Archery (early segment) | Statewide | Oct. 1 - Nov. 14 |
| Archery (late segment) | Statewide | Dec. 1 - Jan. 1 |
| December firearm | Lower Peninsula DMUs | Dec. 4-6 |
| Early antlerless firearm | Lower Peninsula DMUs (excluding 145 and 245) | Sept. 12-13 |
| Independence Hunt | Statewide | Oct. 15-18 |
| Late antlerless firearm | Lower Peninsula DMUs (excluding 145 and 245) | Dec. 7 - Jan. 1, 2027 |
| Liberty Hunt | Statewide | Sept. 12-13 |
| Muzzleloader | Upper Peninsula DMUs | Dec. 4-6 |
| Regular firearm | Statewide | Nov. 15-30 |
DMU, TMU and zone rules, antler point restrictions and license quotas apply — check the DNR summary.
Turkey (fall)2 seasons+
| Season | Zone / area | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Fall season (hunt 0401) | TMU I | Sept. 15 - Nov. 14 |
| Fall season (hunt 0402) | TMU M | Sept. 15 - Nov. 14 |
DMU, TMU and zone rules, antler point restrictions and license quotas apply — check the DNR summary.
Quail1 season+
| Season | Zone / area | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Statewide (select counties) | Oct. 20 - Nov. 14 |
DMU, TMU and zone rules, antler point restrictions and license quotas apply — check the DNR summary.
Cottontail rabbit1 season+
| Season | Zone / area | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Statewide | Sept. 15 - Mar. 31 |
DMU, TMU and zone rules, antler point restrictions and license quotas apply — check the DNR summary.
Pheasant4 seasons+
| Season | Zone / area | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Zone 1 | Oct. 10 - 31 |
| Season | Zone 2 | Oct. 20 - Nov. 14 |
| Season | Zone 3 | Oct. 20 - Nov. 14 |
| December season | December pheasant management unit | Dec. 1 - Jan. 1 |
DMU, TMU and zone rules, antler point restrictions and license quotas apply — check the DNR summary.
Snowshoe hare1 season+
| Season | Zone / area | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Statewide | Sept. 15 - Mar. 31 |
DMU, TMU and zone rules, antler point restrictions and license quotas apply — check the DNR summary.
Ruffed grouse2 seasons+
| Season | Zone / area | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Early season | Statewide | Sept. 15 - Nov. 14 |
| Late season | Statewide | Dec. 1 - Jan. 1 |
DMU, TMU and zone rules, antler point restrictions and license quotas apply — check the DNR summary.
Sharp-tailed grouse1 season+
| Season | Zone / area | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Zone 1 | Oct. 10 - 31 |
DMU, TMU and zone rules, antler point restrictions and license quotas apply — check the DNR summary.
Squirrel (fox and gray)1 season+
| Season | Zone / area | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Statewide | Sept. 15 - Mar. 31 |
DMU, TMU and zone rules, antler point restrictions and license quotas apply — check the DNR summary.
Woodcock1 season+
| Season | Zone / area | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Statewide | Sept. 15 - Oct. 29 |
DMU, TMU and zone rules, antler point restrictions and license quotas apply — check the DNR summary.
Michigan DNR 2026–27 · official source ↗ · checked Oct 17, 2026
Michigan DNR 2026 · official source ↗ · checked Oct 17, 2026
Michigan DNR 2026–27 · official source ↗ · checked Oct 17, 2026
Fishing? See Michigan fishing limits.