Regulations change. Always confirm with the official state fish and wildlife agency before you hunt or fish. This site is an unofficial index, not legal advice. Each fact shows its source and the date we last read it.
Michigan: 2026 deer seasons, resident license fees and official links
Run by: Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR). Below are the deer season dates and resident license fees we could read on official pages (regulation year 2026). This state is newly added and coverage is partial.
Deer seasons
| Season type | Zone / unit | Dates (inclusive) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early antlerless firearm | Lower Peninsula DMUs (excluding 145 and 245) | Sep 12, 2026 to Sep 13, 2026 | Public and private land. |
| Liberty Hunt | Statewide | Sep 12, 2026 to Sep 13, 2026 | Qualified youth and hunters with disabilities only. |
| Archery (early segment) | Statewide | Oct 1, 2026 to Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Independence Hunt | Statewide | Oct 15, 2026 to Oct 18, 2026 | Qualified hunters with disabilities only. |
| Regular firearm | Statewide | Nov 15, 2026 to Nov 30, 2026 | |
| Archery (late segment) | Statewide | Dec 1, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027 | |
| December firearm | Lower Peninsula DMUs | Dec 4, 2026 to Dec 6, 2026 | Equipment restrictions apply; see the official page. |
| Muzzleloader | Upper Peninsula DMUs | Dec 4, 2026 to Dec 6, 2026 | Equipment restrictions apply; see the official page. |
| Late antlerless firearm | Lower Peninsula DMUs (excluding 145 and 245) | Dec 7, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027 | Public and private land. |
Source: Michigan DNR: 2026 Deer Hunting Regulations Summary. Last verified Oct 17, 2026. Dates can vary by zone, unit or land type; check the official page for your location.
Selected resident license fees
| License (resident) | Fee | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base hunting license, resident | $11.00 | Required to hunt; needed before buying additional hunting licenses. | Official page |
| Deer license, resident (single) | $20.00 | Official page | |
| Deer combo, resident (two deer licenses) | $40.00 | $20 regular plus $20 restricted. | Official page |
| Annual all-species fishing license, resident | $26.00 | Valid March 1 through March 31 of the following year. | Official page |
| Hunt/Fish combo, resident | $76.00 | Includes base, two deer licenses and annual all-species fishing. | Official page |
Fees are copied from the official page linked in each row, last verified Oct 17, 2026. Fees, agent fees and online fees change; confirm before you buy.
Good to know
- The 2026 summary says the limited firearms deer zone was eliminated and, beginning Sept 12, 2026, hunters can use all legal firearms across the Lower Peninsula.
Source: Michigan DNR: 2026 Deer Hunting Regulations Summary. Last verified Oct 17, 2026. - The Upper Peninsula muzzleloader season and the Lower Peninsula December firearm season were reduced to three days beginning the first Friday in December.
Source: Michigan DNR: 2026 Deer Hunting Regulations Summary. Last verified Oct 17, 2026. - Michigan's annual fishing license is valid from March 1 of a given year through March 31 of the following year. Fishing requires a license at age 17 and older.
Source: Michigan DNR: fishing and hunting license information. Last verified Oct 17, 2026. - An annual base license is required for every resident or nonresident who hunts in Michigan, unless otherwise noted; it allows small game hunting and is needed to buy additional hunting licenses.
Source: Michigan DNR: fishing and hunting license information. Last verified Oct 17, 2026.
Not yet researched
Turkey, bear, small game and waterfowl dates; fishing seasons; DMU-level antler point rules; hunter orange rules beyond the deer page.