December 2022 hunting and trapping opportunities

• Small game hunting
• Deer hunting
• Waterfowl hunting
• Fur harvesting
• Discount on onX Hunt mapping tool for Michigan hunters
• Questions? Contact us
• Get involved

Small game hunting

Enjoy some winter small game hunting with your base license.

• Cottontail rabbit and snowshoe hare: open through March 31, 2023.
• Fox and gray squirrel (black phase included): open through March 31, 2023.
• Ruffed grouse: Dec. 1 - Jan. 1, 2023.

Season dates, bag limits and small game hunting regulations are available in the 2022 Hunting Digest and at Michigan.gov/SmallGame.

Deer hunting

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

• Archery deer season: Now through Jan. 1, 2023, statewide on public or private lands.
• Muzzleloader deer season: Dec. 2-11, statewide on public or private lands.
  • In Zone 3 (southern Michigan – see page 12 in the Hunting Digest) and the counties of Oceana, Muskegon, Newaygo, Mecosta, Isabella, Midland and Bay, you can use all legal firearms. If you are hunting in the limited firearm deer zone, you must follow equipment requirements for that zone.
  • In the northern Lower Peninsula (Zone 2) and the Upper Peninsula (Zone 1), only muzzleloading firearms may be used.
  • See page 50 of the Hunting Digest for more muzzleloading equipment information.

• Late antlerless firearm deer season: Dec. 12 - Jan. 1, 2023, on private lands ONLY in the Lower Peninsula (see page 52 of the Hunting Digest for a map of open deer management units).

Check the 2022 Hunting Digest, 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.

Waterfowl hunting

It’s not too late to get out for some great waterfowl hunting this season. Visit one of Michigan's managed waterfowl hunt areas for exceptional waterfowl hunting opportunities. 

North Zone

• Goose season: open through Dec. 16.

Middle Zone

• Duck seasons: open through Dec. 4 and Dec. 17-18.
• Goose season: open through Dec. 23.

South Zone

• Duck seasons: open through Dec. 11 and Dec. 31 - Jan. 1, 2023.
• Goose season: open through Dec. 11, Dec. 31 - Jan. 8, 2023, and Feb. 4-13, 2023.  
• Allegan County Goose Management Unit: open through Dec. 4 and Dec. 17 - Feb. 13, 2023. 
• Muskegon County GMU: open through Dec. 22.  

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

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: open through March 1, 2023.
• Raccoon hunting: open through March 31, 2023.

Trapping seasons

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

Discount on onX Hunt mapping tool for Michigan hunters

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.

Questions? Contact us

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

Get involved