The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is altering deer hunting regulations this fall to address the increasing deer population in the Lower Peninsula. The changes include extended doe hunting seasons and expanded hunter access programs. The declining number of hunters over the past two decades has contributed to this issue.
Notable changes to this year’s regulations include:
- Liberty and Independence hunts will be antlerless only statewide from 2025 to 2029.
- Antlerless hunting with archery equipment in the Upper Peninsula (UP) is prohibited after December 10th in certain units.
- The UP’s DMU 122 will have a 3-point antler point restriction (APR).
- The muzzleloader season in Zone 2 now permits any legal firearms.
- A late antlerless season will run from January 2nd through the second Sunday in January in select counties and units, requiring a separate license.
Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell
