September hunting and trapping opportunities

September is the official start of many of Michigan's hunting seasons. Get ready for a great fall in the fields and forests and on the water.

• Small game opener Sept. 15
• Waterfowl hunting
• Deer hunting
• Fur harvesting
• Bear hunting
• Elk hunting
• Tree stand safety reminders
• Download DNR digests for on-the-go access
• Get involved
• Questions? Contact us

Small game opener Sept. 15

Small game seasons open statewide Sept. 15 for the following species:

• Cottontail rabbit and snowshoe hare.
• Fox and gray squirrels (black phase included).
• Ruffed grouse.
• Woodcock
  • All woodcock hunters must get a free woodcock stamp, which includes registration with the federal Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP).

Season dates, bag limits and small game hunting regulations are available in the 2021 Hunting Digest and at Michigan.gov/SmallGame.

Waterfowl hunting

Waterfowl hunting kicks off in September. Visit one of Michigan's managed waterfowl hunt areas for exceptional waterfowl hunting opportunities. 

Statewide

• Early teal season is Sept. 1-16.
• Common snipe, Virginia rail, sora rail and moorhen season opens Sept. 1.

North Zone

• Duck, coot and merganser season opens Sept. 25.
• Goose season opens Sept. 1.

Middle and South zones

• Goose season opens Sept. 1.

Waterfowl hunting information is available in the 2021 Waterfowl Digest and at Michigan.gov/Waterfowl. 

Deer hunting

Deer seasons begin in September:

• Liberty Hunt: Sept. 11-12, 2021
  • Open to youth and hunters with disabilities.
  • Statewide on public or private lands.
  • Youth hunting information can be found on pages 36-38 of the Hunting Digest.
  • Information for hunters with disabilities is available on pages 39-44 of the Hunting Digest.
• Early antlerless firearm: Sept. 18-19, 2021
  • Antlerless deer only.
  • Open on private lands in the Lower Peninsula.
  • See page 52 of the Hunting Digest.

Deer hunting season dates, regulations and more are available in the 2021 Hunting Digest, available at Michigan.gov/Deer.

Check drawing results online for reserved deer hunt and antlerless deer hunting access permits.

Fur harvesting

• Coyote hunting is open year-round.

Fur harvesting regulations, bag limits and season dates are available in the 2021 Fur Harvester Digest and at Michigan.gov/Trapping.

Bear hunting

Bear hunting seasons begin in September for successful bear license applicants.

Check your drawing results online and find bear hunting regulations and information at Michigan.gov/Bear.

Elk hunting

Elk hunting seasons are underway for successful elk license applicants.

Find elk hunting information at Michigan.gov/Elk.

Tree stand safety reminders

If you’re using a tree stand or an elevated platform during your hunt, keep these tips in mind:

• Wear a full-body harness that is properly attached above your head.
• Always maintain three points of contact when climbing up to or down from the stand.
• Ensure your tree stand is securely attached and stable before using it.

Watch this short video about tree stand safety for more tips.

Tree stands placed on public lands must have the owner’s name and address and Michigan driver’s license number or DNR sportcard number placed on them and legible from the ground. If you leave a tree stand unoccupied on public land, anyone is allowed to use it.

Read more hunting safety tips or locate a hunter education safety course at Michigan.gov/HunterEducation.

Download DNR digests for on-the-go access

For on-demand digest access that travels where you do, without the need for internet access, download DNR hunting and fishing digests right to your phone! Find the current digests and downloading instructions at Michigan.gov/DNRDigests.

Get involved

Questions? Contact us

Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-WILD (9453).