November 2023 hunting and trapping opportunities
Online harvest reporting is required for all hunters who successfully take a deer. You can report your deer through the DNR Hunt Fish app or at Michigan.gov/DNRHarvestReport.
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Archery deer season: open through Nov. 14 and Dec. 1 - Jan. 1, 2024.
- Statewide on public or private lands.
- Archery deer hunters in the Lower Peninsula have the option to harvest antlerless deer with their deer or deer combo license. In the Upper Peninsula, during the archery season, hunters can take an antlerless deer with either a deer or deer combo license, except in deer management units 007, 031, 042, 048, 066, 127 and 131.
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Firearm deer season: Nov. 15-30.
- Statewide on public or private lands.
- Deer hunters in the Lower Peninsula have the option to harvest antlerless deer with their deer or deer combo license.
Check the 2023 Hunting Regulations Summary, available at Michigan.gov/Deer, for deer hunting regulations, including information on the types of deer that may be harvested in each season and any antler point restrictions that may be in place.
See the annual deer hunting preview, which includes a regional forecast and how conditions are looking for this season.
Grab your base license and head out for some small game hunting!
Season dates, bag limits and small game hunting regulations are available in the 2023 Hunting Regulations Summary and at Michigan.gov/SmallGame.
- Cottontail rabbit and snowshoe hare: open through March 31, 2024.
- Fox and gray squirrel (black phase included): open through March 31, 2024.
- Quail: open Oct. 20 - Nov. 14.
- Ruffed grouse: open through Nov. 14 and Dec. 1 - Jan. 1, 2024.
- Pheasant (male only):
- Zone 2 and 3: open through Nov. 14.
- A $25 pheasant license is required for all hunters 18 years old and older to hunt pheasants on any public land in the Lower Peninsula or on lands enrolled in the Hunting Access Program. See the Hunting Regulations Summary for exceptions.
This year, pheasants are being released on 13 state game areas throughout southern Michigan:
- Cass City (Tuscola County) – fall and December release.
- Cornish (Van Buren County) – fall release only.
- Crane Pond (Cass County) – fall release only.
- Crow Island (Bay and Saginaw counties) – fall and December release.
- Dansville (Ingham County) – fall and December release.
- Erie (Monroe County) – fall and December release.
- Lapeer (Lapeer County) – fall and December release.
- Leidy Lake (St. Joseph County) – fall and December release.
- Pinconning (Bay County) – fall release only.
- Pte. Mouillee (Monroe and Wayne counties) – fall and December release.
- Rose Lake (Clinton and Shiawassee counties) – fall and December release.
- Stanton (Montcalm County) – fall and December release.
- St. Johns Marsh (St. Clair County) – fall and December release.
Find more information about the pheasant releases on page 68 of the Hunting Regulations Summary.
Duck and goose seasons are open throughout the state this month. Visit one of Michigan's managed waterfowl hunt areas for exceptional waterfowl hunting opportunities.
North Zone
- Duck seasons: open through Nov. 26 and Dec. 2-3.
- Goose season: open through Dec. 16.
Middle Zone
- Duck seasons: open through Dec. 3 and Dec. 16-17.
- Goose season: open through Dec. 22.
South Zone
- Duck seasons: open through Dec. 10 and Dec. 30-31.
- Goose season: open through Dec. 10 and Dec. 30 - Jan. 7, 2024, and Feb. 3-12, 2024 (excluding some GMUs).
- Allegan County Goose Management Unit: open through Nov. 12, Nov. 25 - Dec. 3 and Dec. 16 - Feb. 12, 2024.
- Muskegon County GMU: open through Dec. 23.
Waterfowl hunting information is available in the 2023 Waterfowl Hunting Regulations Summary, available at Michigan.gov/Waterfowl.
Fur harvesting regulations, bag limits and season dates are available in the 2023 Furbearer Harvest Regulations Summary and at Michigan.gov/Trapping.
Hunting seasons:
- Coyote hunting: open year-round.
- Fox (gray and red) hunting: open through March 1, 2024.
- Raccoon hunting: open through March 31, 2024.
Trapping seasons:
- Coyote and fox (gray and red) trapping: open through March 1, 2024.
- Raccoon trapping: open through March 31, 2024.
- Badger, beaver, bobcat, muskrat, mink and otter trapping opportunities are available for some areas; see the Fur Harvester Regulations Summary for open units, season dates and bag limits.
Fall turkey hunting is open through Nov. 14.
Check out which hunt units have leftover licenses. Buy your turkey license online at eLicense, through the DNR Hunt Fish app or anywhere DNR licenses are sold.
You can buy one fall turkey license a day until quotas are met.
Find season regulations and bag limits in the 2023 Fall Turkey Regulations Summary, available at Michigan.gov/Turkey.
Michigan’s wild turkey cooperator patch program is coordinated by the Michigan chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, in partnership with the DNR. Adult hunters, collectors and other interested individuals may purchase the patch for $6, including postage and handling. Youth hunters, 17 years old and younger, who have a valid wild turkey hunting license may get a free patch.
Order your wild turkey cooperator patch►
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The Michigan Bear Hunters Association, in partnership with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, coordinates Michigan’s bear cooperator patch program. Proceeds from patch sales will be used for black bear education and outreach. Adult hunters, patch collectors and others can buy a patch for $7. Youth hunters, 17 years old and younger, who have a valid bear hunting license can get a free patch.
Order your bear cooperator patch►
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Download and save 20% on onX Hunt digital mapping memberships by using the code MIDNR at checkout. Plus, a portion of every purchase will be donated to support Michigan conservation.
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