It's finally here. You've been planning since December 1st. Michigan's Unofficial Holiday: Opening Day of Firearm Deer Season!

Related: Michigan Firearm Deer Season: Moving Open Day to a 2nd Saturday

Before you pack up the last bit of equipment, that you've no doubt checked, double-checked, and triple-checked both physically and mentally, let's take a look at a few pieces of information that will serve as a primer for the big day.

Reviewing Michigan's Unofficial Deer Camp Checklist

11 Michigan Deer Camp Necessities You DO NOT Want to Forget
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A good deer camp will be located in the middle of nowhere. This also makes deer camp a terrible spot to discover that you've forgotten something. Toothpaste can be borrowed and fingers used for a few days, but what are some items you absolutely cannot forget that might not be on your equipment list?

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Think back to those uncomfortable moments you've experienced during past trips and think along those lines. What small items would have made your hunt slightly more enjoyable?

11 Michigan Deer Camp Necessities You DO NOT Want to Forget
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Before you pack your bags, fill your head with some fresh 'tracks' to follow. 2022 was the first year Michigan's Department of Natural Resources mandatory reporting, which asked hunters to report their deer within 24 hours of it being taken. This led to a data-rich harvest for the DNR and Michigan outdoor enthusiasts. For a deep dive, click the link below.

Related: Michigan 2023 Firearm Deer Season Primer: Where Were the Deer in '22?

So, you've already checked your ammo, cleaned your gun, hung your gear outside for the last week, and mined every trail cam for every potential pattern. But what else could you be forgetting?

11 Michigan Deer Camp Necessities You DO NOT Want to Forget

Deer camp is something Michigan looks forward to, almost as much as Christmas. But poor planning and packing can lead to some miserable experiences for you and your fellow campers. Here are 11 Michigan Deer Camp Necessities You DO NOT Want to Forget

Gallery Credit: Scott Clow

The Countdown to Michigan's Best Counties for Whitetail Deer

Which Michigan county harvested the most deer last season? We used DNR deer license sales to determine how many does and bucks were taken (all seasons) in each of Michigan's 83 counties. Let's count down to Michigan's #1 County for Whitetail Deer.

Gallery Credit: Scott Clow

Michigan's Mandatory Hunting Violation Penalties

Thinking of poaching? Don't. Not sure if you're breaking the law? Check with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) (for hunting laws, click here). Here are 5 violations that come with mandatory penalties, including hefty fines and significant time behind bars.

Gallery Credit: Scott Clow