Sept. 24, 2025
Contact: Brent Rudolph, 517-730-8802

Deer hunters taking part in Michigan’s Oct. 1-Nov. 14 archery season could see a strong statewide harvest, even as they encounter varying conditions – from the results of heavy snowfall in parts of the Upper Peninsula to an outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease in the southern Lower Peninsula.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ newly published 2025 deer hunting preview indicates this year’s deer harvest could be strong overall – mirroring a robust 2024 – but that hunters should be aware of several factors.

In addition to the potential for lower deer numbers in high-snowfall areas of the U.P. and the ongoing EHD outbreak in the southern Lower Peninsula, the devastating March 2025 ice storm in the northern Lower Peninsula could affect hunters as well.

“Overall, the 2024 deer season was a pretty good one, with hunter participation and deer harvest all generally steady or increasing from the prior year,” said Brent Rudolph, the deer, elk and moose management specialist for the DNR’s Wildlife Division. “Variability within each region occurs every year, but for 2025 the wild cards include the borderline severe winter conditions in the U.P., potential ice storm impacts on access to hunting locations in the northern Lower Peninsula and the ongoing EHD outbreak in the southern Lower Peninsula. Hunters always benefit from being prepared, and these are extra factors to look out for this year.” Read more

The cool front that brought rain through much of Arkansas on Monday did little to hinder the effort and results of the state’s alligator hunters, with 162 successfully bringing home a gator during the first weekend of the 2025 hunting season.

All public and private alligator zones will remain open during the second and final weekend of the hunt, which begins 30 minutes after sunset Sept. 26 and ends 30 minutes before sunrise Sept. 29.

“All alligator hunters on private land and those who drew a Millwood Lake permit need to be sure and call the hotline (833-345-0398) or check www.agfc.com/alligator before they go on their hunt each night to make sure the quota hasn’t been filled,” AGFC Herpetologist Amanda Bryant said. “I update the hotline and website every day, and each of these quota hunts has the potential to close as early as the first night of the next hunt. I’d advise alligator hunters to keep that looming quota in mind if they think about passing up any opportunity this weekend.”

Each year, many alligator hunters put off taking alligators that offer them a chance to fill their harvest tag in hopes of finding a larger alligator, and each year many hunters go home with nothing to show from their hunts. Read more

Sept. 22, 2025
Contact: Jeremy Wood, 231-340-3770

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources invites public comment on proposals to expand the deer hunting season on Beaver Island and to improve the island’s forest diversity.

Proposal: Expand deer hunting season on Beaver Island

Deer hunters on Beaver Island would have an additional 20 days of antlerless-only hunting under a DNR proposal to help simplify hunting regulations and control the island’s deer population.

The proposal would add both early and late antlerless firearm deer seasons for the 2026-2028 hunting seasons.

Public comment on the proposal can be submitted through Oct. 31 to DNR wildlife biologist Jeremy Wood at WoodJ26@Michigan.gov. In the email subject line, please indicate “Beaver Island Deer Proposal.” A summary of public input will be provided to the Natural Resources Commission, which has final authority for establishing deer hunting regulations. Read more

Ask an ex-waterfowler why they bagged (pun intended) the sport, and a likely response is that it got to be too much work, especially for hunters longer in the tooth. With all the decoy upkeep and untangling, deployment and retrieval in the cold and dark, perpetual boat and trailer maintenance, and that two-bit lazy dog that hasn’t seen a dummy in months – well, that last one is on you…dummy. Anyway, you can sort of understand why folks retire from waterfowling.

We of course know those fellas miss anxiously watching-their-watch while shapeless shadows buzz overhead in the blackness, not to mention that fireworks show aroma of a freshly emptied chamber. But what if there was a simple way to stay in the game and still get that duck hunting high? Read more

Moultrie, the leading innovator of feeders, trail cameras and game management tools, has introduced the EDGE Solar trail camera in Mossy Oak’s Bottomland, available exclusively at Academy Sports + Outdoors. The Edge Solar is on sale for $99.99, getting you the longest battery life on the market for a killer price.

“The Edge Solar is a workhorse camera, I love that I can put this camera in hard-to-reach spots and know that I won’t have to visit it again until I decide to move it,” said Moultrie Community Manager Benny Schuman. “This camera flat out performs all while being recharged by the sun.”

The EDGE Solar is designed to provide hunters with the ultimate “set it and forget it” trail camera. Built with a large integrated solar panel that can turn and tilt for the best angle, the Edge Solar makes changing your batteries a thing of the past. The Edge Solar captures every image in HD, automatically connects to the strongest cellular signal and does not require an SD card, all of which make it incredibly easy to deploy in the field.

Everything’s better in Bottomland, and the Edge Solar is no exception. Exclusively available at Academy Sports + Outdoors and on sale now! Read more

Saturday, Sept. 27, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center

Mitchell State Park*, Cadillac

This “A to Z” introduction to waterfowl hunting will start in the classroom, then head outside on trails (compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines) for hands-on practice. You’ll learn how to choose a spot, scout effectively, select and set decoys, conceal a layout or blind, call ducks and geese with confidence, and understand licenses, stamps and core regulations so you’re legal and safe on opening day. You’ll leave with practical, firsthand experience to boost your odds this season.

Cost is $35, which includes lunch and door prizes. Read more

Deer hunting begins with the Liberty Hunt and early antlerless firearm season.

Deer hunting season dates, regulations and more are available in the 2025 Hunting Regulations Summary, available at Michigan.gov/Deer.

• Liberty Hunt: Sept. 13-14 – open to youth and hunters with disabilities
• Early antlerless firearm: Sept. 20-21
• Deer Drop-In Mondays
• Mandatory harvest reporting
• Expanded disease testing opportunities
• EHD confirmed in six counties
• Hunting regulations on your phone
• Tree stand safety reminders
• Questions? Contact us Read more

The fall turkey season is an excellent way to enjoy the changing seasons while pursuing a gobbler for your holiday meal.

• Season dates and bag limit
• Turkey management units
• Purchasing your license
• Turkey patch program
• Know before you go

Season dates and bag limit

The fall turkey season is Sept. 15 – Nov. 14. You can purchase one fall turkey license per year, which is valid for one bird of either sex on public and private lands within the designated fall turkey management unit.

Turkey management units Read more