2022 Fall fur harvesting opportunities in Michigan

Michigan Department of Natural Resources sent this bulletin at 10/18/2022 09:00 AM EDT

Share or view as webpage  |  Update preferences
Two trappers wearing camouflage in a canoe paddle through a wetland with animated waves around the canoe.

Fall fur harvesting opportunities

Reminder: Bobcat kill tags are only available through Oct. 24.

2022 Fur Harvester Digest

Fur harvesting season dates, bag limits and regulations are available in the 2022 Fur Harvester Digest at Michigan.gov/Trapping.

Hunting seasons

  • Coyote hunting: year-round, statewide.
  • Fox (gray and red) hunting: Oct. 15 - March 1, 2023, statewide.
  • Raccoon hunting: Oct. 1 - March 31, 2023, statewide. 

Bobcat hunting opportunities will begin in January 2023. See the Fur Harvester Digest for season information.

Trapping seasons

Badger trapping:

  • Bag limit: one per resident fur harvester.
  • Zones 1* and 2: Oct. 15 - Nov. 14. *See Fur Harvester Digest for badger management unit boundaries.
  • Zone 3: Nov. 1 - March 1, 2023.

Beaver trapping (Michigan residents):

  • Unit A: Oct. 25 - April 30, 2023.
  • Unit B: Nov. 1 - April 28, 2023.
  • Unit C: Nov. 10 - April 28, 2023.

Beaver trapping (nonresidents):

  • Unit A: Nov. 15 - April 30, 2023.
  • Unit B: Nov. 24 - April 28, 2023.
  • Unit C: Dec. 15 - April 28, 2023.

Bobcat trapping:

  • Bag limit: two per resident fur harvester. One kill tag is valid for all lands and for all units combined. A second kill tag is valid for Unit A only, on private lands (excluding Commercial Forest lands).
  • Units A and B: Oct. 25 - Dec. 26.
  • Units C, D and G: Dec. 10-29.
  • Unit H: Dec. 10-20.

Coyote and fox (gray and red) trapping:

  • Statewide: Oct. 15 - March 1, 2023.

Muskrat and mink trapping:

  • Zone 1: Oct. 25 - March 1, 2023.
  • Zone 2: Nov. 1 - March 1, 2023.
  • Zone 3: Nov. 10 - March 1, 2023.

Otter trapping:

  • Bag limits: four per resident fur harvester; only three may be taken from Unit B and only two from Unit C.
  • Unit A:  Oct. 25 - March 31, 2023.
  • Unit B: Nov. 1 - March 31, 2023.
  • Unit C: Nov. 10 - March 31, 2023.

Raccoon trapping:

  • Statewide: Oct. 1 - March 31, 2023.

Fisher and marten trapping opportunities will begin in December. See the Fur Harvester Digest for season information.

Licenses, kill tags and registration

A fur harvester license is needed to hunt and trap furbearers in Michigan. A valid base license is needed to purchase a fur harvester license. Your fur harvester license is valid through April 30, 2023.

To harvest bobcat, fisher, marten or otter, you will need a free kill tag(s) for these species. You can request free kill tags online, or wherever DNR licenses are sold, when purchasing your fur harvester license. Kill tags purchased online will be mailed to you within seven to 10 business days.

Kill tags for fisher, marten and otter are available through the last day of the trapping season. Bobcat kill tags are only available through Oct. 24.

If you harvest bobcat, fisher, marten or otter, you must bring the animal's pelt and skull to a Michigan Department of Natural Resources registration station for registration and an official DNR seal. Animals should be skinned prior to registration. The skull will be retained and will not be returned.

Registration locations ►

Questions? Contact us

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