Michigan Archers Gear Up for Bow Hunting Season, Mandatory Harvest Reporting Introduced

Michigan welcomed the start of its bow hunting season yesterday. Taking aim until Nov. 14, and then picking back up from Dec. 1 through Jan. 1, archers across the state are setting their sights on deer. According to CBS News, Chad Fedewa, the acting deer specialist for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, emphasized safety and local regulations, stating hunters should check with their local municipalities to see if hunting is allowed on specific properties.

With more than 286,000 participants last year, bow hunting season promises to be a significant event for Michigan's outdoor enthusiasts. While detailing the specifics of the season, Bridge Michigan outlined that during this period only bows and arrows were permitted, and they shared the specific size requirements for the arrows used. Registered hunters may use a firearm only if partaking in the Independence Hunt, from Oct. 17-20, which allows veterans who are 100% disabled and other individuals with particular disabilities to harvest deer on designated lands.

As hunters prepare, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources reminds them to purchase a base license first, with prices ranging from $6 to $151. A universally applied antlerless deer tag, as stated by Bridge Michigan, costs $20 for hunters, regardless of residency. Moreover, an extended late antlerless firearm season has been introduced, stretching from Jan. 2-12, where discounted licenses will be available in December for specific counties.

This year, mandatory online harvest reporting is essential to keeping track of the deer population, as Audacy informs us. Hunters must report their deer within 72 hours of harvesting or before transferring possession, using either the Michigan DNR's website or mobile app. Michiganders looking forward to this season's hunt should also note that the regular firearm season will run from Nov. 15-30 and that safety checks—especially when hunting from elevated platforms—are crucial for a successful and incident-free hunt.