Deer hunting in Michigan: A favorite pastime

Gary Williams, Michigan State University Extension -

Properly prepare for the upcoming deer season.

There are several reasons that residents and non-residents of the state of Michigan purchase licenses to hunt deer in Michigan. According to Michigan State University Extension, this season is a time to get out into the great outdoors and enjoy the wonders that the fall season has to offer, with miraculous colors and the changing weather. Also deer hunting provides family and friends both young and old the opportunity to commune and recreate with the potential of harvesting the deer of a life time, which still remains the main focus of each and every deer hunter’s adventure.

The 2014 deer hunting season is predicted to be a successful year for many hunters. Last year Michigan as well as the majority of Midwestern states saw a decline in successful harvesting of deer due to unusual winter conditions in both 2012 and 2013. These severe weather conditions across both the Upper and Lower Peninsulas affected the number of deer harvested in Michigan. If the trend from 2013 continues in 2014 the results will be a little more than 4-out-of-10 hunters will be successful in harvesting a Michigan deer this year.

The 2014 deer hunting season for archery is Oct. 1 through Nov. 14 and reopens Dec. 1 and runs through Jan. 12. Regular firearm hunting season is Nov. 15-30. The muzzle loading firearm season in zones 1 and 2 is Dec.5- 14. Muzzle loading firearm season in zone 3 is Dec. 5-21. The late Antlerless Firearm deer season is Dec. 22-Jan. 1.

Refer to the 2014 Hunting and Trapping Digest for additional information or the deer website of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for highlights of regulation changes, information about deer management and links to additional resources such as a list of deer check stations. The 2014 Hunting and Trapping Digest and Antlerless Digest are available at DNR Operations Service Centers, license vendors or available in electronic formats online.  A map of all Deer Management Units (DMUs) and other regulation details is also available.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Did you find this article useful?


MSU Extension Meat Cutter Training Course

Register Now

Importance of Adult Sibling Relationships 4.29

Register Now

You Might Also Be Interested In

Tag List
  • 4-h environmental & outdoor education,
  • environmental & outdoor education,
  • msu extension
  • follow us on youtube
  • follow us on linkedin
Michigan State University
  • Spartans Will.
  • © Michigan State University

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential.

Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707.

We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).