October hunting and trapping opportunities
Small game seasons are in full swing, and pheasant hunting opens soon. Visit Michigan.gov/Hunting to plan your trip.
- Pheasant (male only):
- Zone 1* opens Oct. 10.
- Zones 2 and 3 open Oct. 20.
- Don't forget to get your free pheasant/sharp-tailed grouse endorsement if you plan to hunt pheasants.
- Cottontail rabbit and snowshoe hare:
- Statewide: Sept. 15 - March 31.
- Squirrel (fox and gray):
- Statewide: Sept. 15 - March 31.
- Ruffed grouse:
- Sept. 15 - Nov. 14 and Dec. 1 - Jan. 1.
- Sharp-tailed grouse:
- Oct. 10 - 31 in a select portion of Zone 1*.
- Woodcock:
- Statewide: Sept. 21 - Nov. 4.
- Quail:
- Oct 20 - Nov. 14 in select counties*.
*See the 2019 Hunting Digest for specific details on open areas.
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Waterfowl hunting opportunities are abundant in October.
- Common snipe, Virginia rail, sora rail and moorhen (gallinule) seasons are open through Nov. 9, statewide.
North Zone:
- Duck, coot and merganser hunting is open through Nov. 24.
- Dark and light goose hunting is open through Dec. 16.
Middle Zone:
- Duck, coot and merganser hunting opens Oct. 5.
- Dark and light goose hunting reopens Oct. 5.
South Zone:
- Duck, coot and merganser hunting opens Oct. 12.
- Dark and light goose hunting reopens Oct. 12.
Waterfowl hunting dates, bag limits and regulations are available at Michigan.gov/Waterfowl.
Hunting:
- Coyote hunting is open year-round, statewide.
- Raccoon hunting opened Oct. 1, statewide.
- Fox (gray and red) hunting opens Oct. 15, statewide.
Trapping:
- Badger trapping (residents) in Zones 1 and 2 opens Oct. 15.
- Resident beaver trapping opens Oct. 25 in Unit A.
- Coyote and fox (gray and red) trapping opens statewide Oct. 15.
- Muskrat and mink trapping opens Oct. 25 in Zone 1.
- Otter trapping (residents) begins Oct. 25 in Unit A.
- Raccoon trapping opens Oct. 15, statewide.
See the 2019 Fur Harvester Digest for additional season dates, unit boundaries, bag limits and other regulations.
Remember: Bobcat kill tags are available only until Nov. 30.
Get licenses and kill tags online at MDNR-eLicense.com or anywhere licenses are sold.
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Make sure you are up to date with the 2019 regulations. The 2019 Hunting Digest has all deer hunting regulations, season dates and bag limits.
October deer seasons:
- Archery deer season is Oct. 1 - Nov.14 and Dec. 1 - Jan. 1.
- Independence Hunt (hunters with disabilities) is Oct. 17 - 20.
Important changes:
- Deer baiting and feeding is banned in the entire Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula core chronic wasting disease surveillance area.
- New regulations in the Upper Peninsula core CWD surveillance area.
- New antler point restrictions.
Visit Michigan.gov/Deer for more deer hunting details.
Remember, fall turkey hunting is open through Nov. 14.
Any limited-quota licenses that remain may be purchased by any hunter with a current base license or mentored youth license, including those who did not apply for a fall turkey license. Hunters may purchase one license a day until quotas are met.
Find leftover license availability at Michigan.gov/Turkey.
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