By Staff
LANSING – The Department of Natural Resources reminds deer hunters that muzzleloader season begins on Friday, Dec. 5, in the Upper Peninsula and southern Michigan, and on Dec. 12 in the northern Lower Peninsula.
"Bad weather on opening day of the firearm season slowed the harvest in several parts of the state. Plenty of deer remain out there for muzzleloader hunters who have yet to fill their tags," said DNR Big Game Specialist Rod Clute.
Hunters may take both antlered buck and antlerless deer during the muzzleloader season providing they have appropriate tags. The same antler restrictions that were in place during the archery and firearms seasons apply. Check the 2008 Michigan Hunting and Trapping Guide or the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr for details.
Muzzleloader season runs through Dec. 14 in the Upper Peninsula and through Dec. 21 in the Lower Peninsula.
Hunting seasons re-open for ruffed grouse
and pheasant on Monday
The Department of Natural Resources reminds small-game hunters that the seasons on ruffed grouse and pheasant reopen Monday, Dec. 1, and run through Jan. 1.
Grouse season is open statewide with a limit of five per day, 10 in possession, in the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula (Zones 1 and 2) and a limit of three per day, six in possession, in southern Michigan (Zone 3).
Pheasant hunting resumes across much of southern Michigan, east of U.S. 131 and south of M-20 and U.S 10. Check the 2008 Michigan Hunting and Trapping Guide or the DNR Web site, at www.michigan.gov/dnr, for exact boundaries. The limit is two roosters daily, four in possession.
"Bird hunters often find opportunity in the late season in areas that were too wet earlier in the year, but can now be accessed because the standing water is frozen," explained upland game bird biologist Al Stewart. "Hunters who concentrate in high-quality habitat should still be able to find birds."
Hunters must have a valid small game license.