(LANSING) - The 2025 Michigan firearm deer hunting season is underway.
Hunters will be heading to the woods with the hope of filling the tags and their freezers. According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the 2025 season could be strong, mirroring a robust 2024 when hunters harvested almost 180,000 deer.
As with any season, safety is the key to a successful hunt. All firearm deer hunters are asked to treat every firearm as if it is loaded. Rember as well to be aware of your surroundings; know your target and what is beyond it. Unload your firearms when crossing obstacles and when you get into and out of an elevated stand.
Always obtain landowner permission to retrieve game that has wandered onto private property. Wear hunter orange, which is mandatory and increases visibility to other hunters.
In many areas of Michigan, especially the Lower Peninsula, there are more deer than the habitat can support. This overpopulation can cause problems for people such as vehicle collisions, damage to crops and gardens and the spread of wildlife diseases.
Hunting regulations are in place to encourage hunters to harvest more antlerless deer.
Online harvest reporting is required for all hunters who successfully take a deer. You can do that at the DNR website.