AmmoSight
Home → Hunting Laws → Michigan

Michigan Hunting Laws

Michigan eliminated its Limited Firearm Deer Zone: beginning September 12, 2026, hunters can use all legal firearms — including bottleneck centerfire rifles like the .308 — across the entire Lower Peninsula. The old straight-wall-only restriction is gone.

Every rule below cites the official regulation. Last verified August 30, 2026.

At a glance

Wildlife agency
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Regulations year
2026
Coverage
Verified against primary sources
Verified rules on file
1
Rules pending review
3
Zones with special rules
0
Official regulations → Verify with Michigan Department of Natural Resources →

Check a cartridge in Michigan

Results update as you choose. Checks state + federal rules on file — not legal advice; always confirm in the current regulations.

Pick a state, species, and weapon — add a cartridge for a full check.

Sourced rules

Every row cites the controlling regulation and the date we verified it.

All weapons

2 rules
Species Rule Citation Verified
White-tailed / Mule Deer Hunter orange is required during firearm seasons; verify the exact requirement in the current digest. Current Michigan Hunting Digest (pending verification) Aug 2026 needs review
All species Suppressors are reported legal for hunting in Michigan since 2017. Secondary compilations (legal since 2017; pending primary verification) Aug 2026 needs review

Handgun

1 rule
Species Rule Citation Verified
White-tailed / Mule Deer Under the prior rule, deer handguns had to be ≥.35 caliber with straight-walled cartridges and ≤9 rounds; capacity rules are being finalized after the 2026 change — check the current digest. Handgun rules — verify current Michigan Hunting Digest post-2026 change Aug 2026 needs review

Muzzleloader

1 rule
Species Rule Citation Verified
White-tailed / Mule Deer The muzzleloader season is now a 3-day December Firearm Deer Season starting the first Friday in December. 2026 deer regulations summary Aug 2026

Federal rules that apply in every state

These federal requirements apply in Michigan on top of state law.

Federal law: only USFWS-approved nontoxic shot may be used — or even possessed — while hunting waterfowl, coots, and aggregate-bag species. 50 CFR § 20.21(j)(1)–(3)
Federal law: shotguns for migratory birds are limited to 3 shells total (magazine + chamber) with a one-piece plug; limited light-goose and September Canada goose season exceptions exist. 50 CFR § 20.21(b)
Federal law: shotguns for migratory birds may be no larger than 10 gauge. 50 CFR § 20.21(a)
Federal law prohibits taking migratory birds with a rifle, pistol, or fully automatic firearm. 50 CFR § 20.21(a)
On Waterfowl Production Areas and designated National Wildlife Refuge lands, possessing shot other than approved nontoxic shot is prohibited; individual refuges may impose stricter rules. 50 CFR § 32.2(k)

Sources

Michigan DNR — 2026 Deer Hunting Regulations Summary Michigan Department of Natural Resources · retrieved August 30, 2026
NRC Wildlife Conservation Order Amendment No. 6 of 2026 Michigan Natural Resources Commission · retrieved August 30, 2026

Sources & methodology

Rules on this page are verified against state statutes, administrative code, official agency regulation digests, and federal regulations — never forums, retailer blogs, or hunter-ed course summaries. Rules we could not yet pin to a primary source are labeled needs review and never produce a green "legal" answer. Cartridge energy figures used by the checker are typical factory-load values; where a rule sets an energy or bullet-weight floor, verify your specific load's manufacturer rating.

Legal disclaimer — please read

This page is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Hunting regulations change every season, vary by zone, season, land type, and county ordinance, and are interpreted by the state's enforcement officers — not by this page.

  • Confirm every rule in the current official Michigan hunting regulations before your hunt.
  • Check season dates, license and tag requirements, zone boundaries, and local ordinances — this page covers equipment rules only.
  • When in doubt, contact Michigan Department of Natural Resources directly.

The controlling document is the regulation, not this page. We disclaim all liability for reliance on it.