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The 2023 muzzleloader season began Friday and ends at the close of shooting hours on Sunday, Dec. 10. When heading out to enjoy your season, remember that legal equipment and other regulations vary based on where you are hunting.
“As the goals of deer management have changed, so do regulations around muzzleloader season,” said Chad Stewart, Michigan Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologist. “The Michigan Department of Natural Resources recognizes the abundant deer population in the southern part of the Lower Peninsula and is focusing on ways to increase antlerless harvest. The DNR wants hunters to have every opportunity to maximize success and help manage the deer population in southern Michigan.”
Due to low hunter success during muzzleloader season, the DNR extended the late antlerless season in 2020, while reducing the muzzleloader season in the southern Lower Peninsula.
Additionally, in the southern Lower Peninsula, any firearm legal during the traditional firearm season (Nov. 15-30) can be used during the muzzleloader season.
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The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters across the state that deer harvest reporting is once again required this hunting season.
Now in its second year, mandatory harvest reporting of all deer is designed to provide the most efficient and effective data for deer management and conservation. In 2022, 208,408 hunters submitted a harvest report, and nearly 83% of those hunters were able to complete their report in under five minutes.
“We know Michigan’s deer hunters care about quality hunting opportunities and healthy deer herds,” said DNR deer, elk and moose management specialist Chad Stewart. “Each online harvest report takes just a few minutes but provides critical information about hunting experiences and deer abundance all over the state. That means better management recommendations for Michigan’s deer population.”
To facilitate the reporting process and ensure a smooth experience, the DNR offers these tips:
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Hunters can help hungry families in their community by donating deer to Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger, an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization.
The group partners with the DNR to help connect donors, wild game processors and charities like food banks, pantries and shelters that help feed those in need. Hunters also can donate money to support venison processing when buying hunting licenses.
To find a participating meat processor, visit the website, www.sportsmenagainsthunger.org.
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Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers are sharing best practices for gun season
Firearm deer hunting season is right around the corner, and many hunters are busy scouting land, watching trail cameras and preparing equipment for opening day. To ensure a safe season, Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers are sharing best practices and tips to avoid the most common violations and mistakes they see every year.
Here are 10 best practices for hunters to remember:
Properly tag your deer
Before field-dressing or moving a deer, kill tags must be filled out (including the month and date the deer was taken and the deer’s gender and number of antler points) and properly placed on the deer. Conservation officers often see the wrong kill tag on game – such as fish or turkey licenses on deer. Often, this is a simple mistake made in the dark and can be corrected by re-tagging the deer as soon as you notice the error.
Remember, too, that reporting your deer within 72 hours of harvest is just as important as tagging it. Everything hunters need to know is available on the DNR’s Hunt, Fish app.
Know your firearm and how it functions
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By Louie Stout
Danyelle Currier
Danyelle Currier isn’t your stereotypical Michiana woman.
She’s a Middlebury, Ind. wife, mother and deer hunter. She’s a self-taught deer hunter who has had a passion for the outdoors since childhood.
And since November of last year, she has been owner of a deer attractant company that is turning the heads of deer hunters and the animals they are seeking.
Hunting is a family affair for Currier’s immediate family
Prior to buying Flawless Whitetail, she was a pro staffer with the company. But the Missouri company was falling out of favor with hunters and she decided to take it over and turn it around.
And man, has she ever.