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October 2022 hunting and trapping opportunities in Michigan

Small game hunting

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 2022 Hunting Digest and at Michigan.gov/SmallGame.

Cottontail rabbit and snowshoe hare: Sept. 15 - March 31, 2023.
Fox and gray squirrel (black phase included): Sept. 15 - March 31, 2023.
Quail: Oct. 20 - Nov. 14.
Ruffed grouse: Sept. 15 - Nov. 14 and Dec. 1 - Jan. 1, 2023.
Sharp-tailed grouse: Oct. 10-31, in select portions of Zone 1.
Woodcock: Sept. 15 - Oct. 29.

All woodcock hunters must get a free woodcock stamp, which includes registration with the federal Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program.

Pheasant (male only):

Zone 1: Oct. 10-31 (see Hunting Digest for map of open portions).
Zone 2 and 3: Oct. 20 - 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 Digest for exceptions.

Pheasant releases

This year, pheasants will be released during the Oct. 20-Nov. 14 regular pheasant season on nine state game areas throughout southern Michigan:

Cornish (Van Buren County).
Crow Island (Bay and Saginaw counties).
Erie (Monroe County).
Lapeer (Lapeer County).
Leidy Lake (St. Joseph County).
Pinconning Township (Bay County).
Pointe Mouillee (Monroe and Wayne counties).
Rose Lake (Clinton and Shiawassee counties).
St Johns Marsh (St. Clair County).

Waterfowl hunting

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: Sept. 24 - Nov. 20 and Nov. 26-27.
Goose season: open through Dec. 16.

Middle Zone

Duck seasons: Oct. 8 - Dec. 4 and Dec. 17-18.
Goose season: Oct. 8 - Dec. 23.

South Zone

Duck seasons: Oct. 15 - Dec. 11 and Dec. 31 - Jan. 1, 2023.
Goose season: Oct. 15 - Dec. 11, Dec. 31 - Jan. 8 and Feb. 4-13, 2023.

Allegan County Goose Management Unit: Nov. 5-13, Nov. 26 - Dec. 4 and Dec. 17 - Feb. 13, 2023.
Muskegon County GMU: Oct. 15 - Dec. 22.

Waterfowl hunting information is available in the 2022 Waterfowl Digest and online at Michigan.gov/Waterfowl.

Deer hunting

Deer hunting season dates, regulations and more are available in the 2022 Hunting Digest, available at Michigan.gov/Deer.

New this year: Online harvest reporting is required for all hunters who successfully take a deer. Visit Michigan.gov/Deer to learn more.

Archery deer season: Oct. 1 - Nov. 14 and Dec. 1 - Jan. 1, 2023.

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.
Check the 2022 Hunting Digest 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.

Independence Hunt: Oct. 13-16.

Open to hunters with disabilities.
Statewide on private lands and some public lands requiring an access permit.

Check out the annual deer hunting preview, which includes a regional forecast and how conditions are looking for this season.

Fur harvesting

Fur harvesting regulations, bag limits and season dates are available in the 2022 Fur Harvester Digest and at Michigan.gov/Trapping.

Hunting seasons:

Coyote hunting: open year-round.
Fox (gray and red) hunting: Oct. 15 - March 1, 2023.
Raccoon hunting: Oct. 1 - March 31, 2023.

Trapping seasons:

Coyote and fox (gray and red) trapping: Oct. 15 - March 1, 2023.
Raccoon trapping: Oct. 1 - March 31, 2023.
Badger, beaver, muskrat, mink and otter trapping opportunities are open in October for some areas; see the Fur Harvester Digest for open units, season dates and bag limits.

Important kill tag reminders

Bobcat kill tags are only available through Oct. 24. Residents with a fur harvester license can request free kill tags for bobcat, otter, fisher or marten online or anywhere DNR licenses are sold.

Fall turkey hunting

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 Fall Turkey Digest online at Michigan.gov/Turkey.

Questions? Contact us

Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-WILD (9453).

Find your spot

Download and save 20% on onX Hunt digital mapping memberships by using the code HUNTMI at checkout. Plus, a portion of every purchase will be donated to support Michigan conservation.