Michigan Hunting Season Start and End

Wouldn't it be nice if we were all able to hunt year round. While hunting may seem boring to some, I enjoy sitting in a tree stand, and I would have no problem looking for the big buck all year round.   Unfortunately, that just isn't the case. It is necessary for us to have a designated hunting season however. If we were allowed to hunt year round the chances of game animals going extinct would drastically increase because some people just can't fill their freezers full enough. This is why we also have limitations on how many deer you are allowed to hunt during the year.

In Michigan regular season hunting begins on October 1st and will last until the end of the year, however, there are also pre-season hunting passes given, for several different occasions. Here is a detailed list of the Michigan hunting season for 2016 according the the Michigan Department of Natural Resources:

• Early Antlerless Firearm                                
• September 17 & 18 
• Liberty Hunt (Youth and Disabled)                
• September 17 & 18
• Independence Hunt (Disabled hunters only)  
• October 13-16
• Archery (Main season)                          
• October 1 - November 14
• December 1 - January 1
• Regular Firearm 
• November 15 - 30
• Muzzleloading
• Zone 1 & 2 -- December 2 - 11
• Zone 3 -- December 2 - 18
• Late Antlerless Firearm
• December 19 - January 1

NOTICE: Season for All deer hunting officially ends on January 1.

If only it were as easy as knowing when you could go out to hunt. There is a little bit more to it then that. Aside from knowing when to hunt, you must also retrieve a Deer license/Tag from a licensing station (Usually a gas station, hardware or retail store, or other places that sell hunting gear). If you do not purchase a license and fail to tag your deer, The state of Michigan has the right to fine you up to 1,000 dollars including 90 days in jail, 1,000 dollars restitution for each deer harvested without a license, any license you do have will be revoked for the remainder of the year plus the next three years. It is always best to purchase your license before you go out to hunt and carry it with you at all times while hunting. In Michigan the Hunting License fees are as follows:

• Base License (Separate from Deer License but must be purchased in conjunction)
• Junior - 6.00
• Resident - 11.00
• Non Resident - 151.00
• Senior - 5.00
• Antlerless Deer/Junior Antlerless Deer License (Purchased with Base License)
• 20.00
• Non Resident, Second License or more - 170.00
• Deer License (Single License)
• Resident - 20.00
• Non Resident - 20.00
• Senior - 8.00
• Deer Combo License (Two Deer Licenses - Includes Restricted License for Antlerless)
• Resident - 40.00
• Non Resident - 190.00
• Senior - 28.00

Most of these fees are used to maintain the forestry and wildlife in the state of Michigan, some fees are also used to educate the public on benefits of hunting, and the impact of these activities on the conservation, preservation, and management of the states natural resources.

In my next post, I will continue to layout some of the rules and guidelines that must be followed when hunting in Michigan, there are many including time limitations, what you must wear, where you are allowed to hunt in the state, and more.