Hunt and Hook

Hunting & Fishing in Michigan’s Great Outdoors 

Deer Hunting  

Liberty (youth) hunt — Sept. 13-14 

Early antlerless firearm — Sept. 20–21 

Independence hunt — Oct. 16-19 

Archery — Oct. 1 – Nov. 14 & Dec. 1 – Jan. 1 (extended to Jan. 31, 2026 in some locations) 

Regular firearm — Nov. 15–30 

Muzzleloading — Dec. 5–14 

Late antlerless firearm — Dec. 15 – Jan. 1 (extended Jan. 2-11, 2026 in certain Lower Peninsula counties) 

Pheasant

Zone 1 — Oct. 10–31 

Zone 2 — Oct. 20 – Nov. 14 

Zone 3 — Oct. 20 – Nov. 14 and Dec. 1 – Jan. 1 

Quail

Oct. 20 – Nov. 14

Rabbit & Hare

Sept. 15 – Mar. 31

Ruffed Grouse

Sept. 15 – Nov. 14 & Dec. 1 – Jan. 1 

Waterfowl: Duck Season

North Zone — Sept. 27 – Nov. 23 & Nov. 29 – 30 

Middle Zone — Oct. 4 – Nov. 30 & Dec. 13 – 14 

South Zone — Oct. 18 – Dec. 14 & Dec. 27 – 28 

Sharp-Tailed Grouse

Oct. 10 – 31 

Squirrel (Fox & Gray)

Sept. 15 – Mar. 31 

Turkey

Sept. 15 – Nov. 14 

Woodcock

Sept. 15 – Oct. 29 

The information showcased here does not list every change to licenses, rules, regulations, or other laws related to hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation. To be sure you are in compliance, and for more information on these and other species available to hunt in Michigan, visit Michigan.gov/DNR. 

Michigan Hunting Zones

New 2025 Fall Turkey Hunting Regulations 

Starting this fall, you will no longer need to apply for a license to hunt wild turkey in Michigan. All fall turkey licenses will now be sold over the counter on a first-come, first-served basis.  

Other important reminders for the 2025 fall turkey season: 

  • New turkey management units – two large units replace the old 11-unit system: 
      • Unit M (Upper Peninsula). License quota: 2,200. Licenses can be purchased on a first-come, first-served basis starting Aug. 15 at 10:00 a.m. 
      • Unit I (Lower Peninsula, excluding Monroe County). Unlimited quota. 
  • One license per hunter, valid for one bird of either sex on public and private lands within the designated fall TMU.

  • Season dates for the fall turkey season for both Unit I and M are Sept. 15 – Nov. 14, 2025. 

Fishing in Michigan — Licenses & What You Need to Know 

People in Michigan love outdoor activities, and this includes fishing. It’s fun for kids and adults alike. Whether you’ve been fishing your whole life or it’s your first time out, there’s a lot of fun to have with a rod and reel. You may not always catch a fish — but you will catch a new hobby and maybe even make it a regular recreational activity.   

There are several rules from the Michigan DNR to keep you, the animals, and our beautiful environment safe. They are available in the yearly fishing guide, which you can pick up at many stores, or you can find online at Michigan.gov/Fishing. The fishing guide includes all the types of fish you can catch in Michigan, their seasonal schedule, how to spot specific diseases in fish, how to fight back against invasive species, unlawful activities, important terminology, and so much more. 

When out on the water, it’s important that you carry your license and the state ID that you used to buy the license in case it’s requested by a Michigan Conservation Officer, a Tribal Conservation Officer, or any law enforcement officer. If you have an electronic license, make sure you have access to it via a smartphone, tablet, or other device. 

I’m honored to have recently received the following recognitions:

2025 Legislator of the Year
Michigan Association of Timbermen 

Wetland Conservation Achievement Award 
2024 National Ducks Unlimited 

Investing in Natural Resources to Protect Outdoor Recreation for Future Generations 

The Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR) is tasked with protecting and managing Michigan’s natural resources. Due to inflation and reduced participation in outdoor activities, the department’s funding and ability to accomplish its mission are in jeopardy, putting habitats, fisheries, and other critical resources at risk. 

To address these issues, I have introduced bipartisan legislation, Senate Bills 276–277, which would revamp, reform, and renew outdoor recreation and natural resource funding in Michigan. Highlights include: 

Maintains 60% Senior Discount, Adds a Similar Youth Discount

Dedicates New Funding for Hunting and Fishing Education & Recruitment 

  • Requires 50% of the Hunting & Fishing Recruitment Fund (formerly Youth Hunting & Fishing Education and Outreach Fund) to be used for hunting and fishing education  
  • Remaining funds to be used on hunting and fishing recruitment activities  

Backfills the Costs of Discounts to the Game and Fish Fund  

  • Keeps the Game and Fish Fund whole by requiring the DNR to report to Treasury the amount of fees otherwise uncollected due to discounts   
  • Requires Treasury to remit those monies to the Game and Fish Fund to make the Fund whole from general sales tax à similar to the SAF backfill that occurs from economic development projects 

New Complete License 

New license option would provide the ability to obtain the following with one transaction:  

  • Base license  
  • 2 Deer licenses  
  • 1 Antlerless license  
  • All-species Fishing license  
  • Spring & Fall Wild Turkey license  
  • Waterfowl license  
  • Pheasant license  
  • Fur Harvester’s license   

Reduces Cost of an Antlerless Deer License by 75%

  • Current antlerless license price is $20 
  • Under the proposal, the license would be reduced to $5, incentivizing taking of does in an effort to mitigate deer population concerns  
  • Discount to $5 would also apply to Deer Management Assistance Permits (DMAPs) for antlerless deer

Earn a Second Buck 

  • Establishes parameters for a hunter to earn an additional antlered deer tag with the taking of an additional antlerless deer through NRC order  

Access to State-Owned Shooting Ranges 

  • Purchase of a base license, mentored youth license, or all-species fishing license would include access to state-owned shooting ranges 

Dedicates New Funding for Cold-water Fisheries Management   

  • Fishing license increase would go toward a dedicated cold-water subaccount for habitat management, hatcheries production, and dam removal  

Pheasant Stamp Sunset  

  • Eliminates the sunset 

Waterfowl & Wetland Habitat 

  • Proposal requires $12 from each waterfowl license to be used to acquire, restore, or enhance wetlands and other lands to be managed for the benefit of waterfowl. Includes increased funding for the operation, maintenance, and development of managed waterfowl areas – increasing from $1.93 per license to $3 per license  
  • Includes an additional $1 per license to match federal wetland investment programs 

Bear Participation License

  • Increases from $15 to $30 

Passing these bills would provide generational reinvestment in the protection of Michigan’s outdoor heritage. As an avid sportsman, I want to ensure that my children and their children have the chance to enjoy every outdoor opportunity our great state has to offer.  

    State Budget Highlight: Hunters Feeding Michigan

    I’m proud to have secured $500,000 in last year’s state budget to purchase refrigerated trailers for Hunters Feeding Michigan (formerly known as Sportsmen Against Hunger), which coordinates hunters, game processors, and food pantries to provide donations of nutritious venison to families in need. Learn more about this incredible organization here. 

    Stay Safe While Boating  

    Living in Michigan, you’re never far from a lake. If you are going out on a boat or personal watercraft to enjoy the Michigan summer or go fishing, then you are likely going to need a Boating Safety Certificate. There are a few ways to earn your boating safety certificate:  

    • Online: Take a boating safety class at BoatEd.com. After you finish the class, you must pay the course fee and pass the final exam to print off your permanent Michigan boating safety certificate. 
    • Classroom/In-Person: The DNR’s Recreational Safety Education Class Database has in-person classes available throughout the year and across the state. The Boater Safety Education classes are a few hours long, and you will get your boating safety certificate upon successful completion of the final exam. 
    • Other Options: The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and U.S. Power Squadron provide fundamental and advanced boating safety classes for residents. Some of the classes will provide the knowledge required to obtain a boating safety certificate. Visit cgaux.org/BoatingEd for more information and to enroll.  

    For more information on boating in Michigan, including locations of in-person boating safety classes, visit Michigan.gov/Boating.    

    If you enjoy kayaking, find the DNR kayak launch site closest to you on their website.  

    Watercraft Registration Renewal

    Watercraft owners can now renew their registration at Michigan.gov/SOS or by visiting one of the 160 conveniently located self-service stations statewide. Watercraft registrations are renewed on a three-year cycle and expire on March 31 of the third year.   

    All watercrafts must be registered, except for the following:   

    • Watercrafts measuring 16 feet or less in length, propelled by oars or paddles, and that are used for personal use.  
    • Nonmotorized canoes and kayaks for personal use. 
    • Rafts, surfboards, sailboards, and swim floats, regardless of length. 
    • Watercrafts registered in another state and only used temporarily in Michigan. 

    Share Your Thoughts with the DNR at Upcoming Meetings  

    The DNR is committed to giving Michigan residents the opportunity to share input and ideas on policy decisions, programs, and other aspects of natural resource management and outdoor recreational opportunities. One important avenue for this input is at meetings of the public bodies that advise the DNR and, in some cases, also set policies for natural resources. Contact NRC@Michigan.gov if you’d like to attend public meetings.