(Provided by Michigan DNR)
The Michigan DNR reminds hunters that the 2014 muzzleloader deer season opened Friday (Dec. 5) throughout the state.
"Having a statewide opener for muzzleloading season really eases confusion hunters have on when and where this season starts," said DNR deer biologist Ashley Autenrieth.
Zones 1 and 2 will remain open until Dec. 14. Zone 3 has seven more days of muzzleloader hunting, with the season ending Dec. 21. For hunting zone information, see the 2014 Hunting and Trapping Digest.
Hunters must havea base license and either a deer license or deer combo license to take an antlered deer. An antlerless license is needed for an antlerless deer while muzzleloader hunting. If archery hunting, a deer or deer combo license can be used to take an antlerless deer.
Archery equipment still can be used through the muzzleloader season. For Upper Peninsula deer hunters, only hunters with a certified disability may use a crossbow or a modified bow during the late archery and muzzleloader season. This restriction applies to the Upper Peninsula only.
All deer hunters are required to wear hunter orange when participating in the muzzleloader season. The hunter orange requirement does not apply to those participating in the archery season.
For information about hunting in Michigan, including regulations, season dates and bag limits, go to www.Michigan.gov/hunting.