Nov. 5, 2025

Media contact: 1st Lt. Tom Wanless, DNR Recreational Safety, Education and Enforcement Section supervisor, 810-577-6887

Opening day of Michigan’s traditional firearm deer hunting season (Nov. 15) is right around the corner, and many hunters are busy scouting land, watching trail cameras and preparing equipment.

To ensure a safe season on both public and private land, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is urging hunters to follow best practices to help them avoid the most common violations conservation officers see every year. Read more

Nonresident Disabled American Veterans applying for tags in the Nonresident Tag Drawing for 2026 general season deer and elk hunts will have opportunities in two drawings.

Those eligible for DAV privileges, which require a service-connected disability rating of 40% or greater, will be eligible to apply for 500 discounted deer tags, and 300 discounted elk tags for 2026.

To apply, nonresident disabled veterans must buy a hunting license, which is discounted to $31.75, but there is no additional application fees.

Tags available to DAV hunters: Read more

Nov. 4, 2025
Contact: Scott Eggeman, 517-983-8119 or Brent Rudolph, 517-730-8802

The DNR welcomes public feedback on proposals through Jan. 23

Michigan elk hunters would have longer harvest periods for the 2026-27 hunting cycle under draft proposals by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

The proposals would lengthen both elk hunting periods in the northern Lower Peninsula, home to Michigan’s elk herd.

• Hunt Period 1 would run from the second Saturday in September through the second Sunday in October – a 30-day, continuous period. Currently, Hunt Period 1 is broken up into three, four-day hunts stretching across August and September – 12 total hunting days.
• Hunt Period 2 would run from Dec. 1 through Dec. 15 – a 15-day period. Currently, Hunt Period 2 runs from Dec. 13 through Dec. 21 – a nine-day period.

Combined, the two hunting periods would provide 45 total days of harvest time, more than double the current 21 total days of harvest time. The proposals, which do not affect the 2025 elk hunting season, must be approved by the Michigan Natural Resources Commission.

In addition to making Hunt Period 1 longer and continuous, the change would move the period later in the season when the weather is generally colder and better for elk hunting. Read more

Help fight hunger and ensure Michiganders have access to a nutritious protein source when they need it the most by contributing to the DNR’s Hunters Feeding Michigan program.

The program makes a positive difference in communities across Michigan, connecting hunters, wild game processors and charities to feed those in need.

Hunters can share their harvest by donating their deer at a participating processor or by taking part in Hunters Feeding Michigan deer donation drives. We’ll be taking deer donations in several locations across the state – including Clare, Eau Claire, Escanaba, Gaylord, Howard City, Linwood and Sterling Heights – Nov. 21-23. Read more

Trophy Scan, the most innovative scoring technology in the hunting industry, has just launched an upgraded version of its mobile app – now available free to download on the Apple App Store.

This latest update gives hunters the ability to scan, score, store and share their trophies faster and easier than ever before, delivering instant, accurate scoring right from the field. Using your phone’s camera, Trophy Scan creates a precise 3D model of your Whitetail, Mule Deer, or Elk in minutes – providing a reliable, repeatable digital score that takes the guesswork out of traditional measuring. Stop Guessing. Start Scoring.

Scan. Score. Store. Share.

With Trophy Scan, every hunter can now: Read more

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This fall, the Department of Natural Resources wants to say “thank you” to Michigan hunters. The DNR’s Hunter Appreciation: Deer Drop-In Mondays are happening at locations across the state, and all hunters are invited to drop-in and say hello. Harvested deer are welcome but certainly not required!

Each Deer Drop-In Monday offers the chance to bring in a deer or lower jaw for aging, pick up free hunting swag* like patches, stickers, hand warmers, field-dressing gloves and more, and connect with DNR staff and fellow hunters and talk about the season. We hope you’ll stop by and share your story with us.

Mark your calendar and drop in at a location near you!

*Swag may vary by location, while supplies last.

Remaining event dates – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. the following Mondays:

• Nov. 3.
• Nov. 17.
• Dec. 1. Read more

Frenetic Feeders

Hardcore Waterfowl’s Rugged Series Full Body Mallard Decoys exude authenticity in looks and deeds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pfv7ZPHNYEk&feature=youtu.be

MUSKEGON, MI – Waterfowl hunters often choose favorites when it comes to how and what they hunt. Loosely stated, there are goose hunters and duck hunters. Some prefer to hunt over water, too, while others love to field hunt. And many hunters are equal opportunists who do a little bit of everything. But, at the end of the day, what waterfowlers really want are ducks and geese locked up and finishing over decoys for easy shots. Read more

Idaho will hold its first-ever drawing for nonresident deer/elk tags in December

Nonresident deer and elk hunters interested in applying for general season deer and elk hunts in the first-ever Nonresident Tag Drawing can see what tags are available for 2026, and apply for those tags in December.

The Nonresident General Deer and Elk tags brochure lists tags for elk, regular deer, and white-tailed deer available by elk zone or hunting unit. It is to be used as a cross reference with the Idaho Big Game Seasons and Rules brochure, which specifies hunt seasons and boundaries, rules, and other information.

Important dates for 2026 nonresident general deer and elk tags Read more

The ruffed grouse and American woodcock seasons are well underway, and we want to hear how your season is going so far. Share information on your hunt and submit flush counts through the new Ruffed Grouse and Woodcock Dashboard.

The dashboard lets you quickly record the number of grouse and woodcock you flushed and view near-real-time results from fellow hunters statewide. It’s simple, quick and helps everyone track how the season is shaping up.

How to report

1. Open the Michigan Ruffed Grouse and Woodcock Dashboard.
2. Click Submit a Report.
3. Add your hunt details: date, county, hours hunted, whether you used dogs and flush counts for each species.
4. Submit, and then check the dashboard to see statewide flush rates and county-by-county trends.

The data in the dashboard changes as more hunters submit reports. By sharing your results, you help other hunters make the most of their season.

Find grouse and woodcock season details in the 2025 Michigan Small Game Hunting Regulations Summary.

Report Flushes