Michigan Deer Hunting Opportunities This Week, Dec. 8-14

Muzzleloader deer season

  • Muzzleloader season continues through Dec. 15, statewide on public or private land.
  • In zones 2 and 3, you can use all legal firearms that can be used during the regular firearm deer season to take a deer.
  • If you are hunting in the limited firearms deer zone, you must follow equipment requirements for that zone.
  • In the Upper Peninsula (Zone 1), only muzzleloading firearms may be used.
  • See page 53 of the Deer Hunting Regulations Summary for more information.

Archery deer season (late segment)

Hunting

Armageddon Gear’s Hunting Support Bag – The Channel Lock

At only 11 oz (approx.) the Channel Lock hunting support bag gives you the most versatility you can get from any piece of hunting equipment. As a front bag, the channel lock provides superb stability while shooting off of a rock, tree limb, fence post, blind window or stand. Makes an excellent rear bag and is handy as a cushion, glassing and even a pillow for that midday nap.

Comes with ITW Nexus Tac Link to attach to your belt, pack or sling. Made in the USA from American sourced materials. Made with double waxed canvas.

Dimensions: 8L x 7.5W x 3H – Fill: Spexlite Read more

Hunting

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in Domestic Flock

A commercial poultry flock in Adair County was confirmed by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ODAFF) and the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to have been infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). ODAFF and APHIS are responding according to their Avian Influenza Response Plan.

HPAI is particularly deadly to poultry, and in some cases, the virus is fatal to wild birds. Waterfowl are susceptible to HPAI as well as quail and pheasants. And so hunters, particularly those with domestic poultry or pet birds, should be aware of how they can lessen the chance of spreading the virus to domestic bird populations. Hunters seeking more information should visit: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_health/fsc_hpai_hunters.pdf. Read more

Wildlife

MI DNR reminds hunters of legal firearms for muzzleloader season

Dec. 5, 2024
Contact: Katie Gervasi, 517-290-0679

The 2024 muzzleloader deer-hunting season begins Friday and ends at the close of shooting hours on Sunday, Dec. 15. When heading out to enjoy your season, remember that legal equipment and other regulations vary based on where you are hunting.

“As the goals of deer management have changed, so have regulations around muzzleloader season,” said Chad Stewart, Michigan Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologist. “The Michigan Department of Natural Resources recognizes the abundant deer population in the southern part of the Lower Peninsula and is focusing on ways to increase antlerless harvest. The DNR wants hunters to have every opportunity to maximize success and help manage the deer population in southern Michigan.”

In 2020, due to low hunter success during muzzleloader season, the DNR extended the late antlerless firearm deer-hunting season from Dec. 16-Jan. 1 in the Lower Peninsula.

There is also a new extended late antlerless firearm season from Jan. 2-12 in the southern part of the Lower Peninsula. A discounted antlerless license for this extended hunting season is available for $5 per license.

Additionally, archery deer-hunting season began Dec. 1 and remains open until Jan. 1. For more details on these seasons, see Michigan.gov/Deer.

Muzzleloader season firearm regulations

Zone 1 (Upper Peninsula)

If you are hunting deer with a muzzleloading firearm during the muzzleloader deer-hunting season in Zone 1, you may only possess, carry afield or harvest a deer with a muzzleloading rifle, muzzleloading shotgun or black-powder pistol, loaded with black powder or a commercially manufactured black-powder substitute.

In the Upper Peninsula, only certified hunters with a disability may use a crossbow or a modified bow during the muzzleloader deer-hunting season.

North of the Limited Firearm Deer Zone (Lower Peninsula)

All legal firearms used for harvesting deer during the regular firearm deer-hunting season (Nov. 15-30) may continue to be used during muzzleloader season.

Limited Firearm Deer Zone (Lower Peninsula)

Hunters taking deer in the Limited Firearm Deer Zone may take deer using a crossbow, bow or a firearm that meets the following requirements:

  • Shotguns may have a smooth or rifled barrel and may be of any gauge.
  • A muzzleloading rifle or black powder handgun must be loaded with black powder or a commercially manufactured black powder substitute.
  • Conventional (smokeless powder) handguns must be .35-caliber or larger and loaded with straight-walled cartridges and may be single- or multiple-shot but cannot exceed a maximum capacity of nine rounds in the barrel and magazine combined.
  • A .35-caliber or larger rifle must be loaded with straight-walled cartridges with a minimum case length of 1.16 inches and a maximum case length of 1.80 inches.
  • A .35-caliber or larger air rifle or pistol must be charged only from an external, high-compression power source.

Hunter orange requirements apply for anyone using a muzzleloader or other firearm during the muzzleloader season. Hunter orange does not apply for individuals using a crossbow or archery equipment to take deer during the muzzleloader season.

Hunters are required to report their deer kills within 72 hours of harvest.

Current regulations and harvest reporting are available through the DNR’s Hunt Fish app, online at Michigan.gov/Deer or with the help of staff at DNR customer service centers.

Hunting

Boone & Crockett: Why Some Entries Get Rejected

By PJ DelHomme 

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On rare occasions, a trophy will be rejected for entry into the Boone and Crockett Club’s big game records. The reasons aren’t as juicy as you might think.

In 2023, the Boone and Crockett Club Records Department, which consists of Kyle Lehr (director) and Jennifer Schwab (assistant director), processed and recorded 1292 entries. They rejected 141 of them for an acceptance rate of 89 percent.

Lehr and Schwab are assisted by an army of Official Measurers (OMs) who volunteer their time and expertise to meet with hunters who think they have an animal with horns, antlers, tusks, or skull large enough to meet the minimum requirement of the record book. These OMs are tasked with scoring the trophy based on the Club’s scoring system. The hunters or the OMs then submit it to Club headquarters in Missoula. Once submitted, Lehr and Schwab go through that paperwork to ensure every entry meets the Club’s basic requirements for entry into the records. Most times, entry packets are complete and make it to the finish line. The hunter’s trophy is ranked and placed among more than 58,000 existing records. Other times, there’s a problem.

“Sometimes we might need a signature, or maybe there are a couple of pieces of missing documentation,” Lehr says. “If a trophy qualifies for the record book, we want it to be in the records. We are happy to follow up with hunters and trophy owners to make sure they get recognition.” Then again, it doesn’t always work out.

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Top Reasons Why Entries Get Rejected

Read more

Hunting

Ruger Mark IV 22/45 Lite Pistols

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE: RGR) is excited to announce the release of two new Ruger® Mark IV™ 22/45™ Lite rimfire pistols. Combining reliability and accuracy with an attractive and updated style, these pistols have a custom pistol look without the custom price.

Chambered for the popular .22 LR, both models are feature-rich and sport a 4.40” threaded cold-hammer forged barrel, adjustable sights, a Picatinny rail and an ambidextrous manual safety. The receiver is machined from aerospace-grade aluminum and is ventilated and lightweight.

The comfortable, precision-molded polymer grip frame incorporates replaceable checkered 1911-style grip panels that allow shooters to customize the look of the pistol. The Mark IV 22/45 Lite is the perfect outdoor companion and can be used for target shooting, plinking, small game hunting or competitive shooting. With one-button takedown, two 10-round magazines, and a 1911-style grip angle, it’s the perfect .22 caliber training pistol.

One pistol features a black receiver, black grip panels, gold trigger and a gold barrel for a look of understated elegance. The other features a champagne-colored receiver, black grip panels, and a black trigger. Read more

Firearms

Bear Creek Arsenal Bolt Action Style Uppers and Rifles in .350 Legend and .450 Bushmaster

Bear Creek Arsenal is now offering Bolt Action Style Uppers and Rifles compatible with AR-15 lowers, now available in the powerful .350 Legend and .450 Bushmaster. These new products are designed to seamlessly integrate with AR-15 lowers, providing firearm enthusiasts with the versatility and reliability they have come to expect from Bear Creek Arsenal. The bolt action style offers a unique shooting experience, combining the precision of bolt action with the modularity of the AR-15 platform.

.350 Legend: Known for its impressive ballistics and minimal recoil, the .350 Legend is ideal for hunters, offering superior accuracy and stopping power, making it perfect for medium to large game hunting.

.450 Bushmaster: The perfect heavy-hitting performer, capable of taking down the largest game with ease, the .450 Bushmaster delivers exceptional power and precision, ensuring a reliable and effective shooting experience.

Compatibility: Designed to fit any standard AR-15 lower, these uppers and rifles offer unparalleled flexibility. Read more

Firearms

NSSF Praises Court Decision to Uphold PLCAA

NSSF®, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, praised the San Diego County Superior Court’s decision to grant summary judgment in favor of Smith & Wesson, Inc. under the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA). The court decided Tuesday that Smith & Wesson, Inc. is not responsible for the horrendous criminal acts committed by a deranged murderer at the Chabad of Poway, in Poway, Calif., on April 27, 2019.

The PLCAA protects the firearm industry from frivolous lawsuits that attempt to hold firearm businesses liable for the criminal misuse of lawfully sold firearms.

“We are heartened by the court’s decision today correctly interpreting the PLCAA and ruling in favor of Smith & Wesson, Inc. that the criminal liability for the horrific actions of a murderer are the sole responsibility of that individual,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel. “Plaintiffs in this case attempted to hold Smith & Wesson, Inc. responsible for these horrific crimes by alleging that because the firearm could be illegally modified, the company violated federal law. Additionally, plaintiffs alleged Smith & Wesson, Inc.’s advertising caused the murderer to commit his violent crimes. The firearm industry is grateful that the judge found these claims lack legal merit and correctly granted judgment in favor of Smith & Wesson, Inc.”

NSSF earlier in the case filed an amicus brief in support of Smith & Wesson, Inc.

The murderer in this incident was convicted and sentenced by a California state court to life in prison, without the possibility of parole. The sentence carried an additional 121 years to life, plus 16 years as part of a plea agreement. The murderer was also convicted by a federal court and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus 30 years.

The PLCAA was signed into law in 2005 by President George W. Bush with broad bipartisan support by Congress. The law was spurred by numerous frivolous lawsuits orchestrated by gun control groups to circumvent Congress and put firearm companies out of business based on the criminal misuse of firearm by remote individuals who lack respect for both life and law. The PLCAA has been repeatedly upheld as Constitutional by federal courts.

Gun Control

Final pheasant releases set for 10 state game areas this month

Over the next few weeks, pheasants will be released on 10 state game/wildlife areas across southern Michigan to conclude the 2024 pheasant release program.

“The pheasant release program had a great regular season this year,” said Adam Bump, Michigan Department of Natural Resources upland game bird specialist. “Hunters enjoyed spending time together in the field, pursuing released birds across all 13 of our regular season release areas. This year, we made the program even more accessible by providing parking lot locations online. I encourage hunters to take advantage of December pheasant hunting at the 10 release areas still open.”

Birds will be released throughout the December pheasant season, offering a great opportunity to get outdoors and experience the hunt.

December release locations Read more

Hunting

GOA, GOF Coalition Files Amicus Brief at SCOTUS in Defense of American Gun Manufacturers

A coalition of Second Amendment groups led by Gun Owners of America (GOA) and Gun Owners Foundation (GOF) filed an amicus brief in the Supreme Court of the United States in defense of American firearms manufacturers in their court battle with the Mexican government. Groups that co-signed the brief included Gun Owners of California, the Heller Foundation, Tennessee Firearms Association, and the Virginia Citizens Defense League.

This frivolous case, which Mexico first brought in 2021, is meant to deflect liability—stemming from the violent Mexican drug cartels—onto the nation’s leading firearms manufacturers.

Erich Pratt, GOA’s Senior Vice President, issued the following statement: “Mexican officials continue to pass the blame on who bears responsibility for the violence in their streets, but they should stop looking at gun makers and start looking in the mirror. Gun manufacturers bear no blame for the rampant violence committed by the cartels, just like auto manufacturers wouldn’t deserve blame if their cars were the weapon of choice for street gangs.”

Sam Paredes, on behalf of the board for GOF, added: “We hope the Justices will agree with our arguments and make clear that the violence in Mexico is not the fault of American companies. Anything less would open the door to countless frivolous lawsuits across the country and could be the death of American firearm manufacturing as we know it.”

GOA spokesmen are available for interviews. Gun Owners of America is a nonprofit grassroots lobbying organization dedicated to protecting the right to keep and bear arms without compromise. GOA represents over two million members and activists. For more information, visit GOA’s Press Center.

Firearms
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