Michigan Deer Season Dates 2026
Michigan’s 2026 calendar has real changes: the Lower Peninsula muzzleloader season is gone, replaced by a three-day “December firearm” hunt, and the January archery and extended late antlerless dates were dropped. These dates come from Michigan DNR’s 2026 regulations summary.
When does deer season start in Michigan?
In Michigan, the 2026–27 deer season starts with Early archery (crossbow legal) on Oct 1, 2026. Some limited hunts open earlier: Liberty Hunt (eligible youth and hunters with disabilities) on Sept 12, 2026 and Early antlerless firearm on Sept 12, 2026 (see the notes for who and where). The regular firearms opener is Nov 15, 2026. Every season, with its zone notes and agency source, is in the table below.
Michigan season table
| Season | Dates | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty Hunt (eligible youth and hunters with disabilities) | Sept 12–13, 2026 | Eligible youth and hunters with disabilities. | Agency |
| Early antlerless firearm | Sept 12–13, 2026 | Lower Peninsula DMUs except 145 and 245. | Agency |
| Early archery (crossbow legal) | Oct 1 – Nov 14, 2026 | Closes the day before the firearm opener. | Agency |
| Independence Hunt (hunters with disabilities) | Oct 15–18, 2026 | Eligible hunters with disabilities. | Agency |
| Regular firearm | Nov 15–30, 2026 | The Nov 15 opener, every year. | Agency |
| Late archery | Dec 1, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027 | Reopens after regular firearm; no January archery in 2026. | Agency |
| Muzzleloader (Upper Peninsula only) | Dec 4–6, 2026 | U.P. only. The Lower Peninsula has the December firearm hunt instead. | Agency |
| December firearm (Lower Peninsula) | Dec 4–6, 2026 | New for 2026; replaces the L.P. muzzleloader season. | Agency |
| Late antlerless firearm | Dec 7, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027 | Lower Peninsula DMUs except 145 and 245. | Agency |
Dates checked Oct 10, 2026 against: Michigan DNR — Deer hunting regulations; Michigan DNR — Hunting season calendar. Confirm with the agency for zone/county rules, bag limits and license requirements before you hunt.
Open right now
As of Oct 13, 2026, these are open (some only in certain zones or for certain hunters — see the notes):
- Early archery (crossbow legal) (through Nov 14, 2026)
Next to open: Independence Hunt (hunters with disabilities) on Oct 15, 2026.
What changed in Michigan for 2026
Michigan’s opener never moves: regular firearm starts Nov 15 whatever the weekday, and in 2026 that is a Sunday. Around it, the DNR rebuilt the late season this year.
- December firearm replaces the L.P. muzzleloader. Lower Peninsula hunters get Dec 4–6 with any legal firearm. Upper Peninsula hunters keep muzzleloader on the same dates.
- Things removed for 2026: the limited firearms zone, the extended late antlerless season and January archery. Late archery now ends Jan 1.
- Antlerless firearm bookends. Early antlerless (Sept 12–13) and late antlerless (Dec 7–Jan 1) run in Lower Peninsula DMUs except 145 and 245.
- Liberty and Independence hunts. Liberty, Sept 12–13, is for eligible youth and hunters with disabilities; Independence, Oct 15–18, is for eligible hunters with disabilities.
- Crossbows are legal in archery season.
Legal hunting hours in Michigan
Michigan deer hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset, but the DNR publishes them as a Zone A daily table plus a map of minute adjustments (Michigan DNR — Deer hunting regulations). The four Central-time U.P. counties (Gogebic, Iron, Dickinson, Menominee) should use the DNR table and map for their county. Use the table for your spot rather than a phone sunrise time.
For today’s sit, check the Michigan deer movement today page or enter your ZIP below.
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FAQ
When is Michigan's firearm deer opener in 2026?
Michigan's regular firearm season opens Nov 15, 2026 and runs through Nov 30.
Is there a muzzleloader season in Michigan's Lower Peninsula in 2026?
No. For 2026 the Lower Peninsula muzzleloader season was replaced by a December firearm hunt, Dec 4–6. The Upper Peninsula keeps muzzleloader on Dec 4–6.
Is there January archery in Michigan this year?
No. Michigan DNR eliminated January archery for 2026; late archery runs Dec 1, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027.