Michigan Extends Archery and Firearm Deer Seasons for 2024-2025

Deer hunting in Michigan just got a little more exciting, with two extended seasons coming your way for both archery and firearm enthusiasts. If you're looking to bag a buck or fill your freezer with venison, here's what you need to know about the expanded opportunities for hunters across Michigan this year during the 2024-2025 whitetail deer seasons.

Extended Archery Season in Select Michigan Counties

Archery season kicks off on October 1 and runs until November 14, 2024, with a second stretch from December 1, 2024 through January 1, 2025. But, for those in the know, hunters in specific counties get an extra treat. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has extended the second archery season until January 31, 2025, for the following counties:

• Huron
• Kent
• Lapeer
• Macomb
• Oakland
• Sanilac
• St. Clair (except DMU 174)
• Tuscola
• Washtenaw
• Wayne

If you're in one of these counties, you'll have more time to enjoy the season and nearly freeze in January.

Expanded Firearm Season and the Need for More Time to Hunt

In addition to the archery season, the regular firearm season runs from November 15 to November 30, 2024. However, with an estimated herd of over 2 million in Michigan, the firearm season will expand into the muzzleloading season in Zones 1, 2, and 3 from December 6th to December 15th.

This expansion is said to be crucial for managing deer numbers and preventing overpopulation, crop damage, habitat degradation, and increased vehicle collisions. The new extended late antlerless firearm season is also a game change, running from January 2 through January 12, 2025, in over 30 counties throughout the Lower Peninsula.