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A person may hunt deer with a bow and arrow beginning at the age of 10. At age 12 and 13, a person may hunt deer with a firearm during a firearm deer-hunting season on private land only. This includes Commercial Forestland. Hunters 14 and older may hunt with a firearm on either public or private land.

Q. How old must I be to purchase deer hunting licenses in Michigan?

The minimum age for license purchases is as follows:

Firearm deer license -- If the license is purchased prior to the firearm season opener, the person must be 12 years of age or older at the start of the earliest season in which the license may be used.

Archery deer license -- If the license is purchased prior to the archery season opener, the purchaser must be 10 years of age or older by October 1st.

Antlerless deer license -- If the license is purchased prior to the opening of the deer seasons, the purchaser must be 10 years of age or older at the start of the earliest season in which the license may be used. For youngsters 10 and 11 years of age, the antlerless deer license is valid for hunting with archery equipment only. A special across-the-counter purchase of one (1) antlerless deer hunting license is available ( July 15- August 15) to youngsters that will be 10 to 16 years of age during the 2-day youth firearm deer season.

Combination deer license -- The combination deer license, like the archery deer license, cannot be issued to a person unless they will be 10 years of age or older at the start of the earliest season in which the license may be used. Like the antlerless deer license, a combination deer license is valid for bow and arrow only hunting by persons 10 and 11 years of age.

Once a season has started, all license sales are restricted to persons at least 10 and 12 years of age, respectively.

Apprentice hunting license- A person who does not have a hunter safety certificate may purchase an apprentice hunting license. An apprentice hunter may purchase this license in two different years before he or she must successfully complete a hunter safety course. The apprentice hunting license is available to residents and nonresidents. Apprentice hunters under age 17, when afield, must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or someone 21 or older designated by their parent or guardian. This individual must possess a valid regular hunting license for the same game as the apprentice hunter. Apprentice hunters 17 and older, when afield, must be accompanied by someone 21 or older, who possesses a valid, regular hunting license for the same game as the apprentice hunter.

Q. How many different deer licenses may I purchase?

Hunters should consider their options carefully before purchasing a deer hunting license. A person is entitled to purchase one (1) firearm deer license and one (1) archery deer license, orone (1) combination deer license. A person cannot purchase a combination deer license if they already have either an archery deer license or firearm deer license, nor may they purchase a firearm or archery deer license if they have already purchased a combination deer license.

Q. What is the combination deer license?

The combination deer license was established by the Michigan Legislature in 1998. The combination license is available from all Michigan license agents statewide or on-line and can be purchased at any time. If you purchase a combination deer license you will receive two (2) kill tags. The kill tags can be used in the firearm, archery or muzzleloader seasons. The choice of when to use them is up to the hunter. A person could use both kill tags in the same season, or one tag in 2 different seasons. The cost of the license is the same as two (2) regular deer hunting licenses. The discount for seniors and youngsters is the same as the regular deer hunting license discount, and each combination license counts as two (2) licenses for multiple discount (15%) purposes.

Q. How many and what size bucks (antlered deer) can I take in Michigan?

The maximum possible number of bucks a person could take under their regular deer licenses in Michigan (archery, firearm or combination) is two. However, if you take two antlered deer, regardless of season or license type, one of the antlered deer must have at least one antler with four or more antler points 1" or longer. This "four-point minimum" buck can be taken first or second, the order is not important. If using a combination kill tag, you may tag it with either tag, however, it is to your advantage to use the combination restricted tag on this "four-point minimum" buck. The remaining combination regular tag may be used for any antlered buck. Hunters also need to be aware that three Deer Management Units (DMUs) have a "no spike" regulation and two DMUs have a "three-point minimum". These DMUs are described in more detail in the next question below.

Note: Special regulations for some of the island hunts may allow the taking of additional bucks; however, these deer are tagged with a special permit, do not require tagging with your regular license, and do not count towards the regular bag limit.

Q. What type of deer may I take with a firearm deer license, archery deer license or combination deer license?

Firearm License:Your firearm kill tag is valid statewide during the firearm season and the muzzleloader season to take an antlered deer statewide, except for three special "no spike" DMUs and two special DMUs that have a "three-point minimum" regulation. An "antlered deer" is defined as a deer with at least one antler extending 3 or more inches above the skull. The three special DMUs with the "no spike" restriction are Deer Management Unit 135, Drummond Island (DMU 117) and South Fox Island (DMU 245). An antlered deer taken in these areas must have at least one antler with 2 or more points 1-inch in length. An antlered deer taken in DMU 045 or 122 must have at least 1 antler with 3 or more antler points, 1 or more inches in length.

Archery License:Your bow and arrow kill tag is valid statewide to take any kind of deer (antlered or antlerless) statewide, except for the "no-spike" and "three-point minimum" DMUs listed above. An "antlerless deer" is defined as a deer that does not have antlers or has antlers that extend less than 3 inches above the skull.

Combination License:If you use your kill tag during the regular firearm season or the muzzleloader season, the kill tag is valid for an antlered deer only. If you use your kill tag during the archery seasons, the kill tag is valid for an antlered or antlerless deer. What you can take is the same as other hunters afield for the respective season, however, the kill tags designate what size buck can legally be tagged. The combination regular kill tag can be used on any legal size buck. The combination restricted kill tag, if used on a buck, can only be used on a deer having at least an antler with four or more antler points 1" or longer. The maximum number of deer any person can take under their regular deer licenses is two (2). If you have a combination deer license, you can legally take:

2 antlerless deer (archery season only), or
1 antlered (either season, your choice) and 1 antlerless (archery season only), or
2 antlered deer (both in the firearm or muzzleloader seasons or archery seasons or one in each season 2 different seasons, your choice)

Reminders: Regardless of the kind of license you buy and season(s) you hunt, if you take two (2) antlered deer, one of the antlered deer must have at least one antler with four or more antler points 1" or longer. This deer can be taken first or second. The order is not important.

The "no spike" regulation for Deer Management Unit 135, Drummond Island (DMU 117) and South Fox Island(DMU 245) and the "three-point minimum" regulations for DMU 045 and 122 apply to all hunters.

Q. Isn't there also a "button buck" tagging option for an antlerless deer hunter?

Yes. In addition to the above options for deer hunters, a person with a valid antlerless deer hunting license that kills a "button buck" (male deer with less than 3" antlers) can tag the male deer with any deer hunting license (firearm, archery or either combination license). Both licenses must be in your possession at the time of the kill. All deer must be tagged immediately.

Q. How do I obtain a license to hunt antlerlessdeer?

There are two types of antlerless deer hunting licenses - "public land" antlerless deer hunting licenses and "private land" antlerless deer hunting licenses. "Public land" antlerless deer hunting licenses are issued by application and a license quota for the DMUs. To be considered for a "public land" antlerless deer hunting license, an individual needs to make application from July 15 through August 15 for the DMU in which they wish to hunt that has public land licenses available. The application can be made at any of the 1,700 Michigan license agents or on-line through the Department's web site, http://www.mdnr-elicense.com/welcome.asp Success in the drawing can be checked on-line after the drawing date listed in the Antlerless Deer License Application Guide. Selected DMUs may have leftover public land antlerless licenses for sale over-the-counter starting September 26.

"Private land" antlerless deer hunting licenses may be purchased over-the-counter or on-line starting August 16. A landowner's contact telephone number is required to purchase a private land antlerless license. For Zones 1 and 2, there is a 40 contiguous acre, under one ownership, requirement to purchase a private land license, except for the TB special management units. A person is limited to purchasing no more than 3 private land antlerless licenses of which no more than 2 may be from Zones 1 and 2 combined, except for the TB zone DMUs. You may purchase one of these licenses per dayuntil the license quota is reached. The outstanding quota of licenses for each DMU may be checked on-line.

A special provision for youngsters 10 to 16 years of age on or before the 4th Saturday in September, allows them to purchase one (1) private or public land antlerless deer license, over-the-counter, on a first-come, first-served basis, from July 15 through August 15 for any deer management unit open to the taking of antlerless deer. No application fee or drawing is required for youngsters to take advantage of this offer.

Q. What is a "public land" antlerless deer hunting license?

A "public land" antlerless deer hunting license allows an individual to hunt for antlerless deer upon publicly-owned lands open to hunting and commercial forest lands within the deer management unit for which it is issued. A public land license is invalid on any privately-owned lands except commercial forest properties. A listing of commercial forest lands is available on-line, http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-30301_30505-34016--,00.html

Q. What is a "private land" antlerless deer hunting license?

A private land antlerless deer hunting license is valid for taking antlerless deer only from any privately owned lands within the deer management unit specified on the license with permission of the landowner. A private land license is not valid on public or Commercial Forest Lands.

Q. How many antlerless licenses can I apply for or purchase?

From July 15 through August 15, a person can make one (1) application for a public land antlerless deer hunting license.

Young hunters, ages 10 to 16, may purchase one antlerless deer hunting license over the counter July 15 through August 15. No application fee or drawing is required. These licenses are available only for deer management units open to the taking of antlerless deer. These licenses may be purchased for either public or private land. A youth must appear in person with a parent or guardian to purchase the Junior Antlerless Deer Hunting License. Youngsters 10 and 11 are restricted to archery-only hunting. Nonresidents under 17 are allowed to purchase resident licenses.

Beginning August 16, all private land antlerless deer hunting licenses are sold over the counter. Statewide, hunters may purchase one private land or one public land antlerless deer license each day. There is a season limit of three private land antlerless licenses per person, of which no more than two may be purchased for Zones 1 and 2 combined (except for the special regulation units in Zone 2).

Q. May I hunt deer with a bow and arrow during the November firearm deer season?

Yes. In order to hunt deer with a bow during this time, you must possess a valid firearm, combination or antlerless deer license with an unused kill tag or an unused Deer Management Assistance (DMA) permit. If you kill a deer, you must tag it with your firearm deer license, combination deer license, antlerless deer license or DMA permit, as appropriate. You must wear hunter orange because the archery deer season is closed.

Reminder:You must have purchased a regular deer license (firearm, combination or antlerless) to hunt with or use a DMA Permit.

Q. How many rounds of ammunition may I carry in my rifle or shotgun?

If you use a semi-automatic rifle or a semi-automatic shotgun, other than a .22 caliber rifle or smaller caliber rimfire rifle, the firearm cannot be capable of holding more than 6 rounds in the barrel and magazine combined. This restriction does not apply to bolt action, lever action, or other firearms that are not semi-automatics.

Q. May I hunt raccoon with a .22-caliber rimfire or smaller caliber rimfire firearm during the November 10 through 14 period?

Yes. If you are a resident and have a fur harvester's license you may hunt fur bearing animals and check trap lines while possessing a .22-caliber rimfire or smaller caliber rimfire firearm during this period.

Q. Where may I sight-in my rifle during the November 10 through 14 period?

You may use any designated shooting range. In addition, it is permitted to sight-in a firearm on your own property if it is apparent that you are target practicing and not attempting to take game.

Q. May I transport a firearm in my vehicle if it is broken down?

No. In order to transport a firearm in your vehicle it must first be unloaded in the barrel and magazine combined. It must then be securely enclosed in a case, or you may carry it in the trunk of the vehicle.

Q. How many firearms may I legally carry while firearm deer hunting?

There is no restriction on the number of firearms that you may carry.

Q. What caliber or gauge of firearm (rifle, shotgun, pistol) can I use to hunt deer north of the "Rifle-Shotgun Line"?

Any caliber or gauge is legal north of the "Rifle-Shotgun Line" except a .22 caliber rimfire or smaller caliber rimfire rifle or pistol. All centerfire rifles and handguns and all shotguns are legal in this area regardless of caliber or gauge.

Q. I'm a convicted felon. Are there any restrictions on my purchasing a license to hunt?

No. There are no restrictions on your purchase of hunting licenses. However, you may or may not be eligible to purchase, possess, transport, or receive a firearm. For more information, see the Michigan State Police publication Michigan Concealed Weapons and Firearm Laws on their web site at http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/publications/firearms.pdf or call your probation or parole officer, or local police department for more information.

Q. May I use a .22-caliber rimfire or smaller rimfire rifle or handgun to hunt small game during the regular November firearm deer season?

Yes. To do so you would need a valid small game license and you must not be in the "shotgun only" area of the State.

Q. May I use a handgun to hunt deer in Michigan?

It is lawful to hunt deer with a handgun in Michigan. If using a conventional (smokeless powder) handgun in the "shotgun only" area of the State, you are restricted to a .35 caliber or larger handgun loaded with straight-walled cartridges. The handgun may be single-shot or multiple-shot but must not be capable of holding more than nine (9) rounds in the barrel and magazine combined.

If you are hunting north of the "shotgun only" area of the State, you may use any type of handgun to hunt deer except a .22 caliber rimfire or smaller caliber rimfire.

Q. May a non-resident of Michigan hunt deer with a handgun in Michigan?

In order for a person who is not a resident of Michigan to possess or use a handgun in this State, they must first have been issued a permit allowing them to carry a concealed weapon which is honored by their home state. This is not a hunting regulation, but a general Michiganpenal statute. A violation could result in a felony prosecution and forfeiture of the handgun. For further information, see the Michigan State Police web site and Question No. 20 on the following web page:

http://www.michigan.gov/msp/0,1607,7-123-1591_4654-10953--,00.html

Q. May I use sabot bullets?

Yes. Sabots are legal in Michigan for use in conventional rifles and shotguns as well as muzzleloading firearms.

Q. What types of firearms are legal to use during the December muzzleloading deer season?

A person may use a muzzleloading rifle or muzzleloading shotgun or black-powder handgun loaded with black-powder or a commercially manufactured black-powder substitute. The use of smokeless powder during this deer season is unlawful statewide. The requirement that the firearm be loaded with a .44 caliber or larger projectile was repealed by the Natural Resources Commission in 2002 and is no longer in effect.

Q. Is it legal to use a crossbow for hunting in Michigan?

A crossbow cannot be used to hunt in Michigan except for the taking of deer by a person 12years of age or older during the November 15-30 firearm deer season and for the taking of legal game by a disabled person with a crossbow permit or a legally blind person under the regulations for blind hunters. For further information regarding the crossbow permit, see the following site: http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10363_10913-31954--,00.html

Q. May I use bait when hunting deer in Michigan?

This depends upon where you hunt in Michigan. Deer baiting is banned in the following seven (7) counties to help control and eradicate bovine TB in Michigan: Alcona, Alpena, Crawford, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego, and Presque Isle Counties. In addition, all baiting except for the trapping of furbearing animals is banned in managed waterfowl areas because it conflicts with legitimate waterfowl hunting.

If you hunt in any other part of the state, baiting for deer is currently allowed, however, deer hunters must abide by the following baiting regulations:

Deer baiting is legal only from October 1 through January 1.
Any type of food material is legal to use.
The volume of bait cannot exceed 2 gallons at any hunting site.
The bait must be scattered directly on the ground. "Scattered" means that the bait is dispersed or thrown over a minimum 10-foot by 10-foot area (or equivalent). The bait may be scattered by any means including mechanical spin-cast type feeders, provided that the spin-cast feeder does not distribute on the ground more than the maximum volume allowed.

Bait and baiting does not include the establishment or maintenance of food patches for wildlife; limbs, boughs, leaves and other foods remaining from logging practices; natural foods where they fall on the ground (e.g. apples, acorns, etc.); standing farm crops, or foods scatter as a result of normal agricultural planting and harvesting practices.

Notice: In the event Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is documented within Michigan or within 50 miles of Michigan's border with an adjoining state (Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota) or adjoining Canadian province (Ontario), the Natural Resources Commission has ordered the Director to ban the use of bait and to ban all feeding of deer and elk within that peninsula or the peninsula adjacent to the state or province where CWD has been detected.

Q. Can I use salt and mineral products or salt blocks to bait deer?

Yes. The regulations specifically state that any type of food material may be used to bait deer. This includes salt and mineral blocks and other salt products. Although recommended, there is no requirement that large food materials such as salt blocks be broken and scattered.

Q. Can I feed deer in Michigan?

First, deer feeding of any kind is banned in the following seven (7) counties to help control and eradicate bovine TB in Michigan: Alcona, Alpena, Crawford, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego, and Presque Isle Counties. In the other areas of Michigan feeding for recreational viewing of deer is currently allowed, however, any feeding of deer must comply with the following regulations:

The feed must be placed within 100 yards of your residence upon property that you own, and at least 100 yards from any area accessible to cattle, goats, sheep, new world camelids, bison, swine, horses or captive cervidae;

The feed must be placed directly on the ground. Any means of placing the feed on the ground, including spin-cast type feeders, is legal provided the volume spread does not exceed the daily volume limit;

The volume of feed used cannot exceed 2 gallons per day per residence.

Any type of food can be used for recreational viewing. Scattering of the food is recommended but not required.

Q. What is the difference between "baiting" deer and "feeding" deer?

"Baiting" is putting out food materials for deer to attract, lure or entice them as an aid in hunting or taking them. A person baiting deer must comply with the baiting regulations.

If you put food materials out that attract deer for any other reason, you must be feeding for recreational viewing purposes and must follow the regulations listed above for recreational viewing. Except for specific supplemental deer feeding in portions of the Upper Peninsula, all other feeding of deer is unlawful.

Q. If I own property in an area where feeding and baiting are banned, or if I don't have time to bait or feed deer, are there other things I can legally do to attract deer on my land?

Yes. A property owner can create and maintain any number of a variety of food plantings for deer and manage the property specifically to increase natural food and cover for deer. The Department encourages these alternatives to baiting and artificial feeding, even in areas where it's legal to feed and bait deer.

Q. Can I use scents that imitate food, for example apple or acorn scent, in an area where baiting and feeding is banned?

Yes. Chemical scents that imitate foods are legal. They are not a food material and therefore legal to use even in areas where baiting is banned.

Q. What is the penalty for illegal baiting or illegal feeding of deer or elk in Michigan?

Regardless of whether it's illegal feeding or illegal baiting, or whether it involves deer or elk, the potential penalty is the same statewide, although Michigan's courts decide the exact penalty metered out in each case:

For a person without multiple offenses, the penalty would be up to 90 days, or a fine of $50.00 to $500.00, or both, and costs of prosecution. Although not typically applied to a case not involving an illegally killed animal, in addition to the usual penalties, a court may revoke hunting privileges and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) may seek that items used illegally be condemned.

For a person with multiple offenses (2 previous wildlife part convictions in 5 years), a minimum of 10 days in jail and a $500.00 fine, up to a maximum of 180 days in jail and a fine of $2,000.00, plus costs of prosecution. If the severity of the case warrants, the court, in its discretion, can revoke all hunting and fishing privileges for any period of time, up to and including lifetime suspensions, and the DNR may petition the court to condemn all items used illegally.

Q. Can I hunt deer from a raised platform with a firearm?

Yes. Deer hunters are allowed to hunt from a tree stand, scaffold or raised platform. When hunting on any publicly-owned lands in Michigan, your tree stand, platform, scaffold or steps must be portable (no attachment by nails, screws, bolts, etc.) and cannot be placed out any earlier than September 1, and must be removed no later than January 2. Screw-in tree steps and any device used to assist in climbing a tree that penetrates the cambium (thin layer of living cells just beneath the bark) of the tree is illegal on public lands, however, a "T" bolt or similar device supplied by a treestand manufacturer can be used. A tree stand or raised platform on public lands, must have etched, engraved, implanted, burned, printed, or painted the name and address of the user on the raised platform in a manner which makes the name and address easily read from the ground.

Q. Can I use my vehicle as a raised platform for deer hunting?

No. A vehicle cannot be used as a raised platform for either archery or firearm deer hunting. Michigan law prohibits the taking of any game from in or upon a vehicle. In addition, other hunting and firearms laws regulate the possession of loaded or uncased firearms, or uncased or unstrung bows, in or upon vehicles.

Q. What are the legal hunting hours for deer?

The hunting hours for deer are from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. These starting and ending times are published in the Michigan hunting and trapping guide.

Q. If I post my property NO HUNTING, may I continue to hunt on it?

Yes. You may continue to hunt on your property. You are simply communicating your desires to others by placing the signs.

Q. When may I shine deer?

From December 1 through October 31 of the following year, a person may shine deer until 11:00 PM. During the month of November, it is unlawful to shine.

It is always unlawful to make use of an artificial light to hunt deer or to shine deer at any time of the year with a firearm, bow and arrow or any other device capable of shooting a projectile in your possession or under your control.

This does not prohibit an individual issued a concealed pistol license, or a person that is authorized to carry a concealed pistol without a license, from possessing or carrying a pistol while shining provided that they do not use the pistol to take, or attempt to take game.

Q. May I use a laser beam sight attached to my bow, rifle or shotgun to hunt deer?

No. A laser beam sight casts an artificial light onto the target and is illegal to use in hunting deer. The lighted pin sight used by bow hunters and red dot sight used by firearm hunters are legal because they do not cast or throw a light at the target. Michigan law does provide for the use of laser sighting devices by blind persons during regular hunting hours when assisted by a sighted person, and also provides rules for the use of artificial lights by nighttime predator and raccoon hunters. See the Michigan hunting and trapping guide for further details.

Q. If I wound a deer and it runs onto private property, may I go on the private land to retrieve the deer?

If the private land is posted, fenced, enclosed, or you have been told not to enter, you must have permission of the landowner to enter their property. This would also apply to farmlands and connected woodlots. Without permission, you may be subject to arrest for trespassing.

Q. Can I use a dog to help find a dead deer?

Yes. The Department has established a uniform statewide rule for using a dog to assist a hunter in finding a dead deer. The dog must be kept on a leash and no one in attendance can possess a firearm or bow and arrow. If the tracking is done at night, a light of the type ordinarily carried in the hand may be used (e.g. flashlight, lantern). A dog that barks while tracking the deer cannot be used on public lands.

Q. Can I process or have my deer processed before I return home?

Yes. You may process your own deer or take it to a processor before you return home. You do not need any type of permit from the DNR; however, until you get your deer home, you must keep the head and validated kill tag as proof of the kind of deer you took.

Q. May I float hunt for deer?

Hunting and trapping are exclusive rights of landowners bordering the waterway and their invited guests. Float hunters need permission to enter lands protected by the recreational trespass law. You may float hunt public lands open to hunting.

Q. May I use a snowmobile or ORV during the November firearm deer season?

Private landowners and their invited guests may use a snowmobile or ORV at any time. On lands open to public hunting, snowmobiles and ORVs may not be operated during the periods of 7:00 AM through 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM through 5:00 PM except during an emergency or traveling to or from a residence or camp that is inaccessible by conventional wheeled vehicles.

If you are transporting a firearm on your snowmobile or ORV, the firearm must be unloaded and encased unless transporting a pistol and in possession of a license to carry a concealed pistol. A bow must be unstrung or in a case.

It is unlawful to hunt or chase a deer from a snowmobile or ORV.