As we`ve discussed, if you`re planning to take a deer, there are antler stitch restrictions in some DMUs, so you need to be able to correctly identify that your target deer has a number of dots larger than an inch before taking a photo. Most importantly, understand what`s beyond your target deer. If you injure an animal or wild bird and it runs or flies on private property, you have no legal right to sue it without the permission of the landowner and you will be prosecuted. Ciarra not only fired, but also hit his target. The deer fell a short distance from the shot and they drove it home to Monroe County. It was the first time she had earned a male while living the dream that thousands of deer hunters on Michigan`s Lower and Upper Peninsulas will pursue this year when the deer hunting season begins. Artificial light can be on property you own or on property owned by an immediate family member from November 1 to 30 if you do not own or control a bow and arrow, a firearm or any other device that can fire a projectile. It is a violation of federal law to shine on a national nature reserve at any time. Deer hunters may use artificial light one hour before and one hour after shooting when carrying a firearm or bow and unloaded arrows when walking to or from their hunting grounds. Those who do not own a gun or bow and arrow while walking can use lights during dog training or field trials to track dogs hunting raccoons, opossums or foxes. A bright pinsight on a bow or scope with an illuminated reticle can be used to hunt game during legal hunting seasons. Depending on the DMU you hunt in, there may be restrictions on the age of the male you can harvest.

There are three basic levels of legal funds. The youngest step of the male is the one with at least one antler 3 inches long or more. The next stage is a male with three or more wooden points on one antler. The oldest stage is a male with four or more wooden points on a wood. You may bring into Michigan only the following parts of deer, elk, moose or other free-ranging deer hunted in another state or province: hides, bone-in flesh, quarters or other parts of the deer to which no part of the spine or head is attached, finished taxidermy products, Cleaned teeth or antlers attached to a skull cap, which is cleansed of all brain and muscle tissue. Hunters who bring a whole head, carcass or other prohibited parts into Michigan will be subject to penalties such as fines, jail time and revocation of permits. In addition, illegally imported deer is confiscated. On page 14 is a map of hunting time zones.

The actual legal hunting seasons for bears, deer, wild turkeys, furbearers and small game for time zone A are shown in the table on pages 14 to 16. Migratory game hunting seasons vary and will be published in this year`s Waterfowl Digest. Last year, about 400,000 deer were slaughtered in the state, a drop in the ocean for the deer population. MNR estimates that half a million hunters will hunt this year. Even if all the hunters were successful, the deer population will be fine. These blinds are not legal on state hunting areas, state parks, and state recreation areas in Zone 3 (see page 12). The fasteners, when used to anchor or tie the blind, cannot penetrate the cambium of a tree and must be removed with the blind One of the first goals of the Department of Conservation was to increase the herd of deer, which had been suppressed by years of market hunting. In 1921, a “buck only” law was passed to prohibit the removal of antlerless deer.

Until 1925, the season was reduced from November 15 to 30, dates that modern Michigan deer hunters will recognize. In 2022, a man was permanently banned from hunting after pleading guilty to stealing nine trophies. He could also face a $25,000 fine and spend 18 months or five years in jail. These fines also do not include court or lawyer costs. If you take a shot and miss it, is there another deer that may not be legal and you are allowed to hit instead? Make sure there are no roads, buildings or areas where there are people outside your target deer. Hunters are responsible for every shot they make, and negligence could be costly. If you see a deer, be patient, stay calm and make sure before taking this photo. Woodtip Restriction (RPE): A tool used to protect an age group of males from harvesting in order to move them to the next age group by allowing hunters to harvest only males with a certain number of wood spikes on one side. APRs vary throughout the state depending on the type of deer license and the hunting location. Use the map and table on these two pages to find the APR for the desired hunt.1. On the map on page 54, find the DMU(s) you want to hunt.2. Match the color of your desired DMU(s) to match the color(s) in the tables on page 55 to see the type of deer you can harvest each season based on your permit.

Wood Stitch Restriction (RAP): is a tool used to protect an age group of males from harvesting in order to move them to the next age group by only allowing hunters to harvest males with a certain number of wood spikes on one side. Only youth and apprentice hunters (up to two licensed adults can accompany each young or apprentice hunter)All legal hunts, only deer hunting, turkey hunting only, moose hunting only and only small game hunting As you can see, breaking the law can have serious consequences.