The hunt is on! Get ready to pursue small game, waterfowl, deer, furbearers and turkey.



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Autumn sun on lake

There are ample opportunities to head into the field this month to enjoy the crisp air and fall foliage while taking part in the state's time-honored hunting tradition.


* Small game hunting [ #link_1 ]
* Fall turkey hunting [ #link_5 ]
* Waterfowl hunting [ #link_3 ]
* Fur harvesting [ #link_2 ]
* Deer hunting [ #link_4 ]
* Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) update [ #link_7 ]
* Chronic wasting disease (CWD) testing [ #link_6 ]
* Bovine tuberculosis (bTb) testing [ #link_9 ]
* Safety is key to every successful hunt [ #link_8 ]

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Small game hunting

Grab your base license and head out for some small game hunting! Season dates, bag limits and small game hunting regulations are available in mobile-friendly [ [link removed] ] and desktop PDF [ [link removed] ] versions and at Michigan.gov/SmallGame [ [link removed] ].

*New this year: *Hunters can now share their ruffed grouse and American woodcock hunting experiences through the new Michigan Ruffed Grouse and Woodcock Dashboard. [ [link removed] ] This easy online survey replaces the long-running paper version and lets hunters report flushes per hour and view near real-time data from across the state. Early participation is key, as the dashboard will display data only after hunters start submitting reports.


* *Ruffed grouse:* Now through Nov. 14 and Dec. 1-Jan. 1
* *Quail:* Now through Nov. 14
* *Pheasant (male only):*
* Zones 2 and 3: Now through Nov. 14
* Zone 3: Dec. 1-Jan. 1
* A $25 pheasant license is required for all hunters 18 and older to hunt pheasants on any public land in the Lower Peninsula or on lands enrolled in the Hunting Access Program. See the Small Game Hunting Regulations Summary [ [link removed] ] for exceptions. 
* *Pheasant releases:* This year, pheasants will be released at 13 state game and wildlife areas throughout southern Michigan during the Oct. 20-Nov. 14 and Dec. 1-Jan. 1 seasons. The list of release locations and parking lot directions can be found on the pheasant release webpage [ [link removed] ].

* *Cottontail rabbit and snowshoe hare:* Now through Mar. 31
* *Fox and gray squirrels* (black phase included): Now through Mar. 31

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Fall turkey hunting

Fall turkey hunting is open now through Nov. 14. 

There is no longer a drawing for fall turkey licenses. You can purchase one fall turkey license per year, valid for one bird of either sex on public and private lands within the designated fall turkey management unit.

You can purchase a license over the counter from any license agent [ [link removed] ], online at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses [ [link removed] ] or through the DNR Hunt Fish app [ [link removed] ]. Hunters who purchase a fall turkey license through the DNR Hunt Fish app will receive a digital eHarvest tag on their mobile device immediately.

Find more information at Michigan.gov/Turkey [ [link removed] ].

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Waterfowl hunting

Duck and goose seasons are open throughout the state this month. Visit one of Michigan's Wetland Wonders [ [link removed] ] for exceptional waterfowl hunting opportunities.

Waterfowl hunting information is available in the mobile friendly [ [link removed] ] and desktop PDF [ [link removed] ] versions of the Waterfowl Hunting Regulations Summary at Michigan.gov/Waterfowl [ [link removed] ].

*North Zone*

* Coot, duck and merganser: Now through Nov. 23 and Nov. 29-30 
* Goose (dark and light): Now through Dec. 16

*Middle Zone*

* Coot, duck and merganser: Now through Nov. 30 and Dec. 13-14
* Goose (dark and light): Now through Dec. 19

*South Zone*

* Coot, duck and merganser: Now through Dec. 14 and Dec. 27-28
* Goose (dark and light): Now through Dec. 14, Dec. 27-Jan. 4 and Jan. 31-Feb. 9

*Allegan County GMU*

* Goose (dark and light): Now through Nov. 5 and Dec. 20-Feb. 15

*Muskegon*

* Goose (dark and light): Now through Dec. 20

*Statewide*

* Common gallinule, Virginia rail, sora rail, Wilson's snipe: Now through Nov. 9

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Fur harvesting

Fur harvesting regulations, bag limits and season dates are available in the mobile friendly [ [link removed] ] and desktop PDF [ [link removed] ] versions of the Furbearer Hunting Regulations Summary, available at Michigan.gov/Trapping [ [link removed] ].

*Reminder:* *Bobcat kill tags are only available through Oct. 31, 2025.*

*Hunting seasons*

* Fox (gray and red) hunting: Now through Mar. 1
* Raccoon hunting: Now through Mar. 31
* Coyote hunting: Now through Apr. 15

*Trapping seasons*

* Coyote and fox (gray and red) trapping: Now through Mar. 1
* Raccoon trapping: Now through Mar. 31
* Badger, beaver, muskrat, mink and otter trapping opportunities are open in November for some areas; see the Furbearer Harvest Regulations Summary [ [link removed] ] for open units, season dates and bag limits.

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Deer hunting

Online harvest reporting [ [link removed] ] is required for all hunters who successfully take a deer. You can report your deer through the DNR Hunt Fish app or at Michigan.gov/DNRHarvestReport [ [link removed] ].

*Archery deer season: Now through Nov. 14 and Dec. 1-Jan. 1*

* Statewide on public or private lands.
* Changes to antlerless harvest have been implemented in the Upper Peninsula. See the Upper Peninsula APRs chart in the Deer Hunting Regulations Summary, available at Michigan.gov/Deer [ [link removed] ].
* Archery deer hunters in the Lower Peninsula have the option to harvest antlerless deer with their deer or deer combo license. 

*Firearm deer season: Nov. 15-30*

* Statewide on public or private lands.
* Deer hunters in the Lower Peninsula have the option to harvest antlerless deer with their deer or deer combo license.

Deer hunting season dates, regulations and more are available in the mobile friendly [ [link removed] ] and desktop PDF [ [link removed] ] versions of the Deer Hunting Regulations Summary, available at Michigan.gov/Deer [ [link removed] ].

See the annual deer hunting preview [ [link removed] ], which includes a regional forecast and how conditions are looking for this season.

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Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) update

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease has been confirmed in 14 counties so far this year: Berrien, Calhoun, Cass, Clinton, Eaton, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Ingham, Ionia, Jackson, Lenawee, Mecosta, Van Buren and Washtenaw. 

EHD is caused by a virus transmitted to white-tailed deer by a biting midge (or small fly) and it is likely to persist in the southern Lower Peninsula until a frost kills off the midges for the year. Although EHD outbreaks have not been shown to have a significant long-term effect on deer populations in Michigan, deer mortality can be intense in small geographic areas and local impact may persist for a few years.

There is no evidence that humans, household pets or other Michigan wildlife can contract the EHD virus. Venison harvested in areas affected by EHD is safe for consumption. It’s not recommended to consume any animals that are visibly sick, but healthy deer harvested from areas where EHD has been present are still safe to eat.

If you suspect you have found a deer that has contracted or died from EHD, please submit a Diseased Wildlife report through the DNR’s Eyes in the Field [ [link removed] ] online system.

Learn more about epizootic hemorrhagic disease in white-tailed deer [ [link removed] ].

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Chronic wasting disease (CWD) testing

To date, CWD has been detected in 16 Michigan counties: Clinton, Dickinson, Eaton, Genesee, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, Jackson, Kent, Mecosta, Midland, Montcalm, Ogemaw and Washtenaw.

In 2025, the DNR is conducting focused collection for CWD testing in the following counties. CWD testing is free for deer harvested in these counties when submitted through DNR drop boxes and staffed sample submission sites [ [link removed] ]. All heads tested for CWD are also screened for bovine tuberculosis. Results are posted to the DNR lab results webpage [ [link removed] ]. 


* Baraga
* Chippewa
* Dickinson
* Houghton
* Iosco
* Keweenaw
* Luce
* Mackinac
* Ogemaw
* Ontonagon
* Schoolcraft

Free self-sample shipping kit for CWD testing

In response to hunters’ increasing interest in submitting deer for disease testing, the DNR has worked to expand availability of CWD test kits. Hunters in all other counties are eligible for free CWD testing by using a free lymph node shipping kit that includes overnight shipping. Hunters must extract lymph nodes themselves to submit to Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (MSU VDL) for CWD testing. Kits can be picked up from over 50 locations listed on the website [ [link removed] ].

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Bovine tuberculosis (bTb) testing

In 2025, focused head collection and testing for bovine tuberculosis is occurring in the following counties. Less than 40% of bTB infected deer show signs of infection in the chest cavity. Hunters in these counties are encouraged to submit a deer head for testing:


* Alcona
* Alpena
* Cheboygan
* Crawford
* Iosco
* Montmorency
* Ogemaw
* Oscoda
* Otsego
* Presque Isle
* Roscommon

*Free testing for bTB is also available in all other areas of the state.* Deer heads can be submitted at DNR drop boxes and staffed sample submission sites [ [link removed] ]. Results are posted to the DNR lab results webpage [ [link removed] ].

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Hunting Safety with Conservation Officer Ken Lowell [ [link removed] ]
Safety is key to every successful hunt

Michigan’s firearm deer season begins Saturday, November 15, and the DNR reminds everyone to put safety first. Watch this brief video to brush up on firearm safety tips [ [link removed] ].

“Success is not always about filling your tag, it’s about safely enjoying the experience and sharing it with friends and family after the hunt,” said Lt. Tom Wanless, supervisor of the DNR’s recreational safety, education and enforcement section.

Wanless reiterates that although some tips seem like common sense, it’s critical for anyone hunting with firearms to consider safety basics each time they pick up a firearm.

*All firearm deer hunters should:*

* Treat every firearm as if it is loaded.
* Be aware of your surroundings – know your target and what is beyond it.
* Unload firearms when crossing obstacles and/or getting in or out of an elevated stand.
* Obey “no trespassing” signs; they are there for a reason.
* Obtain landowner permission to retrieve game they are tracking that may have wandered onto private property.
* Wear hunter orange to increase your visibility to other hunters. Hunter orange garments must be worn as the outer layer of clothing (such as caps, hats, vests or jackets) and must be visible from all directions.

During the firearm deer season, all nonhunters are also encouraged to wear bright colors, especially hunter orange, when recreating near woods or fields where hunting may occur.

Get more hunting and tree stand safety tips at Michigan.gov/HuntingSafety [ [link removed] ].

Report hunting violations, including trespassing to the DNR Report All Poaching Hotline [ [link removed] ] by calling or texting 800-292-7800.

Questions? Email [email protected].

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Get involved

*Nov. 6:* Natural Resources Commission meeting [ [link removed] ]




Hunt public lands

Explore lands open to public hunting near you with Mi-HUNT [ [link removed] ].




Support

Get a Kirtland's warbler license plate [ [link removed] ] and show your support for wildlife habitat!





"Learn more: Michigan.gov/Hunting [ [link removed] ]"


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This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Michigan Department of Natural Resources · Deborah A. Stabenow Building, 525 W. Allegan St., PO Box 30028 Lansing MI 48909 · 1-800-439-1420