Michigan Deer Hunting Begins This Weekend With 8 Major Changes

If deer hunting is your thing, your weekend plans are probably already locked in. The 2026 Michigan deer season gets underway on Saturday, and plenty of hunters will be heading back into the woods.

Michigan’s first deer hunts of the season take place this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, September 12 and 13. That includes both the Liberty Hunt and the early antlerless firearm season.

Who Can Hunt Deer in Michigan This Weekend?

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There are two different deer hunts happening this weekend, and the rules aren’t the same for both.

The Liberty Hunt is for hunters ages 16 and younger, along with people who have qualifying disabilities. That hunt is open statewide on public and private lands open to firearm deer hunting, meaning both the Upper and Lower Peninsulas.

See Also: This is When You're Most Likely to Hit a Deer in Michigan

The early antlerless firearm season is open to properly licensed hunters on public and private land across the Lower Peninsula. The only exceptions are North Manitou Island and South Fox Island. The entire Upper Peninsula is closed for this particular hunt.

Only antlerless deer can be taken during the early antlerless season. In other words, hunters aren’t heading out there looking for a big.

Michigan Deer Hunting Rules Changed for 2026

This is the part hunters will want to pay close attention to. Michigan made eight major changes for the 2026 deer season, and some could affect where, when, and how you hunt.

You may have also heard about Michigan’s new one-buck rule and Earn a Second Buck program. Don’t worry about those just yet. Neither starts until 2027.

Digital eHarvest tags are another new option this year. They’re completely optional, and hunters can still use traditional paper tags.

Before heading into the woods, here are the eight major changes you need to know for 2026.