(Provided by Michigan DNR)

The Michigan DNR reminds hunters that 5:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, is the deadline to return unused deer and deer combination ("deer combo") licenses for a refund.

The DNR allowed license returns for refund after antlerless deer hunting regulation changes were implemented by the DNR this summer. Some hunters had purchased licenses for the upcoming fall hunting seasons prior to the rule change.

The NRC eliminated the option to harvest antlerless deer during the archery seasons for hunters using deer or deer combo licenses in the Upper Peninsula. The decision makes deer and deer combo licenses used in the archery season "buck-only" licenses.

However, hunters with private-land antlerless deer licenses may still take an antlerless deer during any hunting season within three deer management units in the U.P. which will be open to antlerless deer hunting.

Those units are private land in Unit 055, which includes portions of Menominee and Delta counties; Unit 155, which includes parts of Marquette and Delta counties and Unit 122, which includes parts of Menominee, Iron and Dickinson counties.

Hunters can return deer and deer combo licenses for a refund if they would like, and new licenses could be purchased prior to the start of the deer seasons; however, this is not required.

To return a license for refund, hunters must bring all licenses bought during the original time of purchase back to the license outlet where they were purchased. For those who purchased licenses online, use the phone number below.

Since deer seasons begin Sept. 19, licenses are considered active after Fridayís deadline. To learn more about returning licenses, contact DNR licensing staff at 517-284-6057 or MDNR-E-License@michigan.gov.