Many of Michigan’s hunting seasons kick off in September.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is sharing information about hunting season dates and rules.
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You can learn more about the different seasons below.
More: Complete Michigan hunting coverage
Small game opener
Small game seasons open everywhere in Michigan on Sept. 15, 2022, for the following species:
- Cottontail rabbit and snowshoe hare.
- Fox and gray squirrels (black phase included).
- Ruffed grouse.
- Woodcock
- All woodcock hunters must get a free woodcock stamp, which includes registration with the federal Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP).
Waterfowl hunting
Waterfowl hunting opens in September. You can find one of Michigan’s managed waterfowl hunt areas by clicking here.
Statewide
- Early teal season is Sept. 1-16.
- Common gallinule, Virginia rail, sora rail and Wilson’s snipe season opens Sept. 1.
North Zone
- Duck, coot and merganser season opens Sept. 24.
- Goose season opens Sept. 1.
Middle and South zones
- Goose season opens Sept. 1.
(Can’t see the file? Click here)
Deer hunting
Deer hunting begins in September with the Liberty Hunt and early antlerless firearm season. More information is available in the 2022 Hunting Digest, which is embedded below. Deer hunters in Michigan are now required to report their harvest online, learn more by clicking here.
Liberty Hunt: Sept. 10-11
- Open to youth and hunters with disabilities.
- Statewide on public or private lands.
Early antlerless firearm: Sept. 17-18
- Antlerless deer only.
- Open on private lands in the Lower Peninsula.
Fur harvesting
Coyote hunting is open year-round. 2022 fur harvester licenses are valid May 1, 2022 - April 30, 2023.
Residents with a fur harvester license who intend to harvest bobcat, otter, fisher or marten must request free kill tags for these species.
- Kill tags are available through the last day of the trapping season for fisher, marten and otter.
- Bobcat kill tags are available through Oct. 24.
You can purchase your fur harvester license and request kill tags online at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses or anywhere DNR licenses are sold.
Fall turkey hunting
Fall turkey hunting starts Sept. 15.
Turkey hunting license applications were available through Aug. 1, but leftover fall turkey licenses will be sold until quotas are met. Hunters can purchase up to one license a day. Hunters may harvest one turkey per license.
Read more: Everything you need to know about the 2022 fall turkey hunting season