MI DNR: New Regulations for 2021 Deer Season

The MI DNR announced new regulations for the 2021 deer seasons.

"Our goals with these regulations are twofold: to make hunting regulations easier to understand and follow in Michigan, and also to manage Michigan's abundant deer herd. We feel these changes move us in the right direction." - DNR deer program specialist, Chad Stewart.

All changes go into effect at the start of the 2021 deer season in September.

The 2021 changes are as follows:

  • Deer Management Unit specific antlerless deer licenses have been replaced with a universal antlerless license that you can use across multiple DMUs.
  • Antlerless licenses can now be purchased without an application in the Lower Peninsula and portions of the south-central UP that have DMUs open to antlerless deer hunting. Licenses can be used on public or private land.
  • In the mid-zone UP DMUs that are open to antlerless deer hunting, a deer hunting access permit must accompany the universal antlerless license. The deer hunting access permit, intended to limit participation where the population can be sensitive to harsh winter weather, will be available through a drawing.
  • The northernmost DMUs of the UP are closed to antlerless deer hunting in all seasons.
  • Archery hunters in portions of the UP may pursue antlerless deer on their deer or deer combo licenses. DMUs 127, 066, 131, 042, 031, 007, and 048 will be closed to antlerless harvest during archery seasons.
  • The expanded urban archery season through Jan. 31 is not permanent in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties.

UP supplemental and recreational deer feeding regulations have changed as well.

  • A permit is no longer required for supplemental feeding in the UP.
  • Supplemental feeding can occur Jan. 1 - May 15.
  • Recreational or supplemental feeding is prohibited if a location is deemed to be a safety hazard.
  • All recreational feed must be given in increments of only 2 gallons per calendar day and only 2 gallons at any one time.

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