10 Things to Know for Michigan’s Firearm Deer Season Opener

A long tradition for many Michigan families is firearm deer season which kicks off Friday, November 15. Here are 10 things you need to know to help your hunt.

Michigan Firearm Deer Season

For almost a century November 15 has been Michigan's firearm deer season but hunting whitetails has been going on even longer.

👇BELOW: See 2023 Deer Harvest Numbers by County👇

Michigan hunters get together for firearm season that lasts from November 15 -30 giving Michiganders two weeks to bag a deer or two. Hunters can shoot 2 bucks or a doe and a buck. Some areas offer extra doe permits to help with population numbers so check the area you hunt in Michigan's whitetail deer regulations for 2024.

10 Things Michigan Hunters Should Know for Firearm Deer Season Opener

#10 - Deer Season Forecast

Make sure and know what the weather and area factors will be in your area and what is predicted for 2024. The mild 2023/34 winter in the Upper and Lower Peninsulas usually means the 2024/25 harvest should be good.

#9 - Report Your Deer Harvest Online

There are fewer deer check stations each year in Michigan but getting your harvest checked in is extremely important to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. This helps the DNR manage the deer population in the areas you hunt plus this can affect the rules put in place. It is easy to report your harvest online and on the DNR Hunt Fish app.

#8 - Read the Deer Hunting Regulations for 2024

Don't make the mistake of not reading the deer hunting regulations for 2024. Nearly every season there is a rule, bag limit, or hunting zone change making it important to know so you don't get yourself into any trouble and have to pay a ticket.

Read More: Mi DNR Trying to Control Deer Population But is it the Right Path

#7 - Firearm Deer Season Reminders

There are little reminders each year that are important like where you can hunt and where does can be taken or not and others you can find here.

#6 - Safety

With guns going into woods, fields, and swamps all across Michigan this Friday, safety is one of the most important things. From how you handle your gun, to who's hunting in your surroundings and what's behind your potential targets. Wearing hunter orange is one of the most important items because it tells hunters where you are so you don't get shot by mistake. Here is a link to a safety video for a reminder.

#5 - Harvest a Doe

To increase the number of bucks and continue to balance the population of Michigan's deer herd, harvest more does. Harvesting more antlerless deer is crucial to improving Michigan's firearm and other seasons. Learn more about managing the herd here.

#4 - Fight Hunger by Donating a Deer

If you are in an area that has extra doe permits and you can't eat all the meat to fill the tags. Michigan offers a wild game donation program to help food pantries. You can find locations and how to participate here.

#3 - Will EHD be a Factor in Your Hunting Area

The Lower Peninsula of Michigan has 15 counties that had a rise in epizootic hemorrhagic disease. Counties affected by EHD are Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Genesee, Jackson, Hillsdale, Kalamazoo, Kent, Lenawee, Ottawa, st. Joseph, and Van Buren. You may find dead deer near water in these counties and if you do report them to the DNR. Warmer temperatures caused this disease to rapidly increase so make sure you know how your area was affected before making your harvest plans.

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#2 CWD and TB Testing Locations

Chronic wasting disease and bovine tuberculosis are problems in several different counties in Michigan. Learn what counties are affected by these diseases here. There are places across Michigan where your deer can be tested and you can find them here.

#1 - Make Sure You Purchase Your Deer Tags

Do not go into the woods to hunt without your deer tags. Several big box stores, local hunting and fishing stores, and some gas stations sell Michigan licenses. You can Google locations near you. It is important to tag your deer immediately after your harvest and you can learn more here.