August 2023 hunting and trapping opportunities
Get ready for fall hunting seasons and check these things off your to-do list!
More Michigan hunting information is available at Michigan.gov/Hunting.
Apply for reserved waterfowl hunts through Aug. 28.
Reserved hunts will be held both mornings and afternoons of the Middle Zone waterfowl season opening weekend, Oct. 7-8, and the following weekend, Oct. 14-15, at Fish Point State Wildlife Area in Tuscola County and Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area in Bay County.
In the South Zone, reserved hunts will be held both mornings and afternoons of the opening weekend, Oct. 14-15, at the Harsens Island Unit of the St. Clair Flats State Wildlife Area, Pointe Mouillee State Game Area and Shiawassee River State Game Area. Reserved hunts also will be held both mornings and afternoons Oct. 21-22 at Harsens Island and Shiawassee River.
For more information about waterfowl hunting and the reserved waterfowl hunts, visit Michigan.gov/Waterfowl or check out the 2023 Waterfowl Hunting Regulations Summary.
Visit Michigan.gov/Turkey Aug. 14 to check your drawing results.
Leftover fall turkey licenses:
- If you applied but were unsuccessful in the drawing, and you have a current base license, you may purchase a leftover turkey license online or from any license agent on a first-come, first-served basis beginning Aug. 21 at 10 a.m. EST.
- If you did not apply for a fall turkey license, you may purchase any limited-quota licenses that remain as of Aug. 28 at 10 a.m. EST if you have a current base license.
For many bear hunters, the baiting period will begin soon. If you are planning to hunt bear over bait, make sure you’re up to date on the season regulations before heading to the field.
The bear baiting period begins 31 days prior to the open season in the bear management unit where you are hunting, continuing through the end of the bear hunting season. Additional information on baiting regulations and hunting equipment can be found in the 2023 Black Bear Hunting Regulations Summary.
The 2023 Bear Hunting Regulations Summary can be picked up wherever licenses are sold or found online at Michigan.gov/Bear.
Hunters who are selected for a bear license may transfer their drawing success to an eligible person they know, or to an individual on the DNR hunt waiting list.
Transfer forms and additional information can be found at Michigan.gov/HuntTransfers.
The deadline to transfer a license is Sept. 1.
2023 fur harvester licenses are valid May 1, 2023 – April 30, 2024.
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 May 1 and through the last day of the trapping season for fisher, marten and otter.
- Bobcat kill tags are available May 1 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.
Find information on fur harvesting regulations, bag limits and seasons in the 2023 Furbearer Harvest Regulations Summary, available at Michigan.gov/Trapping.
Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-WILD (9453).
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