Michigan Firearm Deer Season: Making Opening Day a 2nd Saturday

Over the past several years, Michigan has seen a steady decline in hunters across the state. According to statistics provided by the DNR, 620,932 people purchased a deer license throughout all seasons in 2017.

Related: 5 Michigan Deer Hunting Violations With Severe Mandatory Penalties

Compare that to the 586,595 hunters who bought tags in 2022 and the decline is evident. Even more staggering is where our numbers were in 1998 when over 780,000 people paid the State of Michigan their hard-earned dollars for the privilege of hunting a deer.

Make November 15th a State of Michigan Holiday, or Move Firearm Opener to Saturday

I asked Tom Knutson, of Knutson's Sporting Goods in Brooklyn, Michigan, his opinion. He says the state and its retailers are missing out on a tremendous opportunity by not placing the firearm deer season on a Saturday:

The State of Michigan is throwing money away...you shouldn't have to take time off of work or school to hunt

Knutson feels that the state would also benefit from a staggered opening for Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas. He feels that opening the U.P. one week before the rest of the state would go a long way to bringing life back to deer camps. Many U.P. hunting cabins sit empty now on opening day because they worry they will lose their trophy to another Lower Peninsula hunter.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources' Dustin Isenhoff, public outreach, and engagement manager, said in a recent interview with UpNorthLive.com that the idea has been considered since the drop off of hunters:

We've been talking about it since we've been on kind of this trajectory...There's just a lot of pride and tradition in doing things the same way and kind of how their fathers or grandfathers had done it

According to Isenhoff the Michigan DNR has polled hunters and claims that 85% of hunters are not in favor of changing the date. Chad Steward, deer, elk, and moose management specialist said in a Bridge Michigan interview that Michigan hunters are willing to skip work or school to hunt and the decline in numbers is based on other factors.

Knutson counters that the sport needs to attract the next generation of hunters but, many potential outdoor adventurers start winter sports practice the same week as opening day. So, a student-athlete who wants to hunt and play sports is forced to opt out of a non-weekend November 15, as most schools' policies state if you don't practice, you don't play.

Related: Michigan ERs Prepare For Firearm Deer Season's Most Common Injury

The last time the opener was on a Saturday was in 2014 and the DNR Michigan Deer Harvest Report indicated that around 615,000 hunters purchased licenses. The next time it will fall on a Saturday will be in 2025. Good luck on opening day, and if you haven't already, get your hunter's safety certificate.