August hunting and trapping opportunities
This summer and fall, you may still enjoy many outdoor activities, including hunting, as long as you practice proper social distancing by staying at least 6 feet from those who don’t live in your household.
Learn more about upcoming hunting and trapping opportunities:
Apply for reserved waterfowl hunts through Aug. 28
Waterfowl reserved hunt applications are available now through Wednesday, Aug. 28. Applications are $5, and hunters may only apply once.
Reserved hunts will be held mornings and afternoons of the opening weekend (Oct. 10 and 11) of waterfowl hunting season at:
- Fish Point State Wildlife Area.
- Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area.
- Harsens Island Unit of the St. Clair Flats State Wildlife Area.
- Shiawassee River State Game Area.
Apply online at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses or anywhere licenses are sold. Drawing results will be posted Sept. 21.
For more information about waterfowl hunting and the reserved hunts, visit Michigan.gov/Waterfowl.
Pure Michigan Hunt – additional opportunity for reserved waterfowl hunts
Apply for the 2021 Pure Michigan Hunt for an additional opportunity to participate in a reserved waterfowl hunt. Each application is $5, and you may apply as many times as you like until Dec. 31. Three lucky winners will receive a hunt package that includes first pick for a reserved waterfowl hunt plus elk, bear, turkey and antlerless deer licenses. For more information, visit Michigan.gov/PMH.
Antlerless deer license application period open through Aug. 15
You may apply only once and must choose to apply for either a public-land OR private-land license (not both). Applications are $5.
Apply for a reserved deer hunt through Aug. 15.
- Opportunities for individuals with disabilities are available at Sharonville State Game Area.
- Opportunities in DMU 273 (Shiawassee) are available for any licensed hunter.
- Limited opportunities for archery-only antlerless hunts in the Humbug Marsh Unit of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge.
- Apply online at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses or anywhere licenses are sold.
Drawing results will be posted Aug 31.
2020 deer hunting regulations
Deer hunting regulations for 2020 were set at the July Natural Resources Commission meeting. Some of the changes include:
Statewide
- Liberty and Independence hunt qualifications now include deaf people.
- Mentored youths (age 9 and younger), junior license holders (age 10-16) and apprentice license holders are exempt from antler point restrictions in all seasons, in all deer management units (DMUs) and under all licenses, which includes both the regular and restricted tags on the deer combo license.
- The statewide limit for private-land antlerless license purchase is 10 per hunter. This limit offers maximum opportunity for those who wish to manage abundant deer on their property.
Upper Peninsula
- Upper Peninsula archers in select DMUs may pursue antlerless deer with their deer/deer combo license. The following DMUs continue to be closed to antlerless harvest during the archery seasons: 027, 031, 036, 042, 066, 127 and 131. Additional DMUs may be open or closed based on the snowfall totals from the prior winter, pending DNR analysis. Please see the 2020 Hunting Digest for complete regulations when it becomes available in August.
Lower Peninsula
- In addition to the archery season, antlerless deer may be taken on the deer/deer combo license during the firearm and muzzleloader seasons in all Lower Peninsula DMUs.
- Early and late antlerless seasons will be open in all Lower Peninsula mainland DMUs.
- Antlerless deer may be taken on a deer/deer combo license during both the early and late antlerless seasons in the Lower Peninsula.
The 2020 Hunting Digest will have further information regarding these regulations. The digest is in the process of being finalized now that regulations are set. Watch for the current digest later this month at Michigan.gov/DNRDigests.
Learn more about deer management and hunting at Michigan.gov/Deer.
Download hunting digests for on-the-go access
This year, printing and distribution of hunting digests will be limited. For on-demand digest access that travels where you do without the need for internet access, consider downloading DNR hunting and fishing digests to your phone. They are available for download on Android and Apple devices. Find the current digests and downloading instructions at Michigan.gov/DNRDigests.
Visit Michigan’s Wetland Wonders
Michigan’s managed waterfowl areas offer first-class waterfowl hunting and other outdoor recreation opportunities. Visit Michigan.gov/WetlandWonders to learn more!
Need a place to hunt? Check out these options
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