Hunters Prepare: Michigan Approves Deer Hunting Regulation Changes

Michigan hunters will see several deer hunting regulation changes over the next two seasons after the Michigan Natural Resources Commission approved updates for 2026 and 2027.

The seven-member citizen commission, appointed by the governor, approved the changes Wednesday following public input and recommendations from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The DNR said the changes are intended to support healthy deer populations while balancing hunter opportunity and public feedback.

Under Michigan law, the commission has authority to issue wildlife orders and establish hunting regulations.

For the 2026 season, the antlerless access drawing in the Upper Peninsula has been eliminated. Deer Management Units 351 and 352 have been rescinded, and U.P. hunters may only use universal antlerless licenses in select units.

The statewide muzzleloader season will be reduced from 10 days to three days, beginning the first Friday in December. In the Lower Peninsula, hunters may use any legal firearm during that season, which will now be called the December Firearm Deer Season.

The Late Antlerless Season will begin earlier, starting the Monday after the December Firearm Deer Season and running through Jan. 1. The season will be open across most of the Lower Peninsula, with the exception of South Fox Island and North Manitou Island. Beaver and Garden islands will now be open for both early and late antlerless seasons.

Likely the most popular change, the commission also eliminated the Limited Firearms Deer Zone in the Lower Peninsula, allowing all legal firearms, including bottleneck cartridges, to be used throughout the Lower Peninsula. Firearms larger than .22 rimfire are now permitted statewide.

Other 2026 changes include allowing resident senior license holders to use a crossbow during the Late Archery Deer Season in the U.P.; eliminating the Extended Late Antlerless and January Archery seasons; and scheduling the Early Antlerless Firearm Deer Season at the same time as the Liberty Hunt during the second weekend in September. This year, those seasons will be Sept. 12-13.

The DNR will also be allowed to set annual limits on how many universal antlerless licenses hunters may use in specific counties or Deer Management Units.

Beginning in 2027, Lower Peninsula hunters will be limited to one buck per hunter. A single deer license will be valid for one deer with at least three antler points on one side or for one antlerless deer. A combo license will allow hunters to take one antlered deer and one antlerless deer, or two antlerless deer. Existing DMU-specific antler point restrictions will remain in place.

The commission also approved a pilot “earn a second buck” program in the southern Lower Peninsula, or Zone 3, starting in 2027. Under that program, hunters must first harvest an antlerless deer before becoming eligible to take a second buck with a four-point antler point restriction. The DNR will determine participating counties at a later date.

Upper Peninsula deer regulations will remain unchanged in 2027.

Hunters are encouraged to review the updated regulations before heading into the field, as rules will vary by region and season.