December hunting and trapping opportunities
Michigan has plenty of hunting opportunities through the remainder of the year, whether you are an avid small game hunter or plan to head out for the late archery or firearm deer season.
Regardless of what type of wild game you enjoy pursuing, get outdoors and enjoy the time with your family and friends this winter!
Take advantage of your base license and get out for some small game hunting this winter. Visit Michigan.gov/Hunting to plan your trip.
- Cottontail rabbit and snowshoe hare:
- Open statewide through March 31.
- Squirrel (fox and gray):
- Open statewide through March 31.
- Ruffed grouse:
- Open statewide Dec. 1 - Jan. 1.
- Pheasant (male only):
- Open Dec. 1 - Jan. 1 in select areas of Zone 3.*
- Don't forget to get your free pheasant/sharp-tailed grouse endorsement if you plan to hunt pheasants.
*December's pheasant hunting is open only in selection portions of Zone 3 (see map on page 54 of the 2019 Hunting Digest). Please be aware that Cornish, Crane Pond and Pinconning State Game Areas and the Fenville Farm Unit within Allegan State Game Area are not within the December Pheasant Management Unit and are not open to pheasant hunting in December. Pheasant releases through the Michigan Pheasant Hunting Initiative will not take place on these four game areas during the December season.
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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.
Archery:
- Dec. 1 - Jan. 1.
- Archery season is extended through Jan. 31 for Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties.
Muzzleloader:
- Zones 1 and 2: Dec. 6-15.
- Zone 3: Dec. 6-22.
Late Antlerless:
- Dec. 23 - Jan. 1 in select deer management units.
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.
Don't miss out on winter waterfowl hunting opportunities.
North Zone:
- Dark and light goose hunting is open through Dec. 16.
Middle Zone:
- Duck, coot and merganser hunting is open Dec. 14-15.
- Dark and light goose hunting is open through Dec. 20.
South Zone:
- Duck, coot and merganser hunting is open through Dec. 8 and Dec. 28-29.
- Dark and light goose hunting is open through Dec. 8, Dec. 28-29 and Jan. 25-Feb.10, 2020.
Waterfowl hunting dates, bag limits and regulations are available at Michigan.gov/Waterfowl.
Hunting:
Coyote, raccoon and fox (gray and red) hunting opportunities are available statewide.
Trapping:
Opportunities for trapping badger, beaver, coyote, fox, muskrats, mink, otter and raccoon are available through the winter.
See the 2019 Fur Harvester Digest for season dates, unit boundaries, bag limits and other regulations.
Get licenses and kill tags online at MDNR-eLicense.com or anywhere licenses are sold.
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