Ring in the new year with an invigorating hunt in Michigan's scenic wilderness.



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Winter forest with snowy conifers

Ring in the new year with an invigorating hunt in Michigan's scenic wilderness.


* Spring turkey hunting [ #link_5 ]
* Deer donation drive [ #link_6 ]
* Deer hunting [ #link_4 ]
* Waterfowl hunting [ #link_3 ]
* Small game hunting [ #link_1 ]
* Fur harvesting [ #link_2 ]
* Get engaged [ #link_7 ]
* Hunt state land [ #link_8 ]
* Support wildlife [ #link_9 ]

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Spring turkey hunting

The spring turkey application period is Jan. 1-Feb. 1, 2026. You can buy an application for $5 online [ [link removed] ], at a license agent [ [link removed] ], or in the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app [ [link removed] ].

*New changes for the 2026 application period:*

* *Eligible applicants*: To apply for a spring turkey license during the application period, hunters must be 17 years old or older during the hunt period and have a hunter education certificate, or they must be licensed as an apprentice hunter. Hunters 10-16 years old can purchase a spring turkey youth license, so there is no need to apply for a license.
Map of 2026 spring turkey management units, showing unit boundary lines for Upper Peninsula, northern Lower Peninsula, and southern Lower Peninsula.
* *New Spring Turkey Management Units: *The number of spring turkey management units has been reduced from 14 to 3. The units are now M (Upper Peninsula), NN (northern Lower Peninsula) and ZZ (southern Lower Peninsula). The boundary line between NN and ZZ does not follow the existing hunting and trapping zone lines. Please see the 2026 spring turkey hunting regulations summary [ [link removed] ] to view the official TMU boundary maps, as well as season dates and license quotas.
* *Hunt 0234 and Hunt 0301*: These guaranteed licenses do not require an application in the drawing. You can purchase a Hunt 0234 license or a Hunt 0301 license when leftover licenses go on sale Mar. 16 at 10 a.m.

Drawing results will be available *Mar. 2, 2026*. You can check your drawing results online at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses [ [link removed] ], through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app or by calling 517-284-9453. You are responsible for obtaining your drawing results.

Additional season information can be found in the 2026 spring turkey hunting regulations summary [ [link removed] ].

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Deer donation drive

*Saturday, Jan. 3 and Sunday, Jan. 4*, join us at a deer donation drive at Knutson’s Sporting Goods, located at 151 Wamplers Lake Rd. Brooklyn, MI 42930. Through the Hunters Feeding Michigan [ [link removed] ] program, all donated venison will be distributed to Michigan food pantries.

Donate your harvest ► [ [link removed] ]

Deer hunting

Online harvest reporting [ [link removed] ] is required within 72 hours of harvesting a deer. You can report your deer through the DNR Hunt Fish app or at Michigan.gov/DNRHarvestReport [ [link removed] ].

Deer hunting season dates, regulations and more are available in the deer hunting regulations summary [ [link removed] ].

Extended late antlerless firearm, Jan. 2-11

* Licenses for the extended late antlerless firearm deer season cost $5 and can only be used Jan. 2–11, 2026.
* See map of open DMUs below. Open on public and private lands in Allegan, Barry, Bay, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Huron, Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Lapeer, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Mecosta, Midland, Monroe, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oakland, Ottawa, Saginaw, Sanilac, Shiawassee, St. Clair (excluding DMU 174), St. Joseph, Tuscola, Van Buren, Washtenaw and Wayne counties. *All Upper Peninsula DMUs are closed.*
* During this season, you can harvest up to 10 antlerless deer (one per valid kill tag).
* You can harvest an antlerless deer with these license types: Unused single deer licenses (including those issued through the Mentored Hunting Program), deer combo licenses (regular kill tags), deer combo licenses (restricted kill tags), universal antlerless deer licenses, extended late antlerless deer licenses and DMA permits.
Extended late antlerless firearm deer season DMU map 2026
*January extended archery, Jan. 2-31*

* Open on public and private lands in Huron, Kent, Lapeer, Macomb, Oakland, Sanilac, St. Clair (excluding DMU 174), Tuscola, Washtenaw and Wayne counties.
* A single deer license, deer combo license or universal antlerless license is valid during the extended season.
* All rules and regulations for the archery season apply.

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Waterfowl hunting

There's still time for goose hunting this month. Visit one of Michigan's Wetland Wonders [ [link removed] ] in the southern Lower Peninsula for exceptional waterfowl hunting opportunities.

Waterfowl hunting information is available in the waterfowl hunting regulations summary [ [link removed] ].

*South Zone*

* Goose (dark and light): Now through Jan. 4 and Jan. 31-Feb. 9

*Allegan County GMU*

* Goose (dark and light): Now through Feb. 15

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Small game hunting

Season dates and bag limits are available in the small game hunting regulations summary [ [link removed] ].


* *Cottontail rabbit and snowshoe hare:* Now through Mar. 31
* *Fox and gray squirrels* (black phase included): Now through Mar. 31

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Fur harvesting

Fur harvesting regulations, bag limits and season dates are available in the furbearer harvest regulations summary [ [link removed] ].

*Hunting seasons*

* Fox (gray and red) hunting: Now through Mar. 1
* Raccoon hunting: Now through Mar. 31
* Coyote hunting: Now through Apr. 15
* Opossum, skunk and weasel hunting: year-round
* Bobcat hunting opportunities are available. See the furbearer harvest regulations summary [ [link removed] ] for open units, season dates and bag limits.

*Trapping seasons*

* Coyote and fox (gray and red) trapping: Now through Mar. 1
* Raccoon trapping: Now through Mar. 31
* Opossum, skunk and weasel trapping: year-round
* Badger, beaver, bobcat, muskrat, mink and otter trapping opportunities are available in January in some areas. See the furbearer harvest regulations summary [ [link removed] ] for open units, season dates and bag limits.

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Get engaged

*Jan. 14:* Natural Resources Commission meeting [ [link removed] ]




Hunt state land

Explore state game and wildlife areas [ [link removed] ] open to public hunting near you.




Support wildlife

Get a Kirtland's warbler license plate [ [link removed] ] and show your support for wildlife habitat!





"Learn more: Michigan.gov/Hunting [ [link removed] ]"


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