December hunting and trapping seasons

Firearm deer season may be almost over, but there are many other opportunities to get out hunting and trapping yet this year.

• Small game hunting
• Waterfowl hunting
• Trapping
• Deer hunting

Small game hunting

Cottontail rabbit and snowshoe hare season is open statewide through March 31, 2019. Fox and gray squirrel season is open statewide through March 31, 2019. Pheasant season (male only) is open in Zone 3 Dec. 1 through Jan. 1 – see page 44 of the Hunting Digest for open areas. Ruffed grouse season opens back up Dec. 1 through Jan. 1. Check out Michigan’s grouse enhanced management sites (GEMS) for premier bird hunting locations. Visit michigan.gov/gems. Pheasant hunters, we’d love to know what you saw while you were out hunting. Help us by filling out a pheasant cooperator report.

Waterfowl hunting

North Zone

• Ducks, coots and mergansers open Dec. 1 -2.
• Dark and light goose open through Dec. 16.

Middle Zone

• Ducks, coots and mergansers open through Dec. 2 and then again Dec. 15-16.
• Dark and light goose open through Dec. 21.

South Zone

• Ducks, coots and mergansers open through Dec. 9 and then again Dec. 29-30.
• Dark and light goose open through Dec. 9, Dec. 29-30, and Jan. 26-Feb. 11, 2019.

Visit michigan.gov/waterfowl for details and regulations.

Hunt at three or more of southern Michigan’s Wetland Wonders, or managed waterfowl hunt areas, and be entered to win a duck hunting prize package! The Wetland Wonders Challenge runs through Feb. 14. Seven lucky winners will be chosen on March 1. Visit michigan.gov/wetlandwonders for full contest rules and Michigan’s Wetland Wonders locations. 

Trapping

• Coyote, gray and red fox, muskrat and mink trapping seasons are open through March 1, 2019, statewide.
• Coyote hunting season is open year-round and fox (gray and red) hunting is open through March 1, 2019, statewide.
• Raccoon trapping season is open through March 31, 2019, statewide. Raccoon hunting season is open through Jan. 31, 2019, statewide.
• Beaver and otter trapping seasons vary based on unit and your residency status. (See page 30 of the Fur Harvester Digest.)

Additional fur harvesting opportunities and regulations available at michigan.gov/trapping.

Deer hunting

• Archery season reopens Dec. 1 through Jan. 1.
• Muzzleloader season for Zones 1 and 2 is Dec. 7-16 and for Zone 3 is Dec. 7-23.
• Late antlerless season is Dec. 17 through Jan. 1, 2019.
  • Open on private lands only in select counties.
  • For a list of open/closed counties for the late antlerless firearm season, and for details on available over-the-counter antlerless licenses, see michigan.gov/deer.

Deer hunting regulations and information are also available at michigan.gov/deer.

Hunting and trapping info ►