Michigan’s annual firearm deer season is in the final stretch this week, but a winter storm threatens to derail hunters’ plans for a final long weekend in the woods.
In the first two days of the 15-day season, Michigan hunters took 41,573 deer, including 10,851 bucks. As of Wednesday morning, hunters have reported 106,403 deer taken during firearm season.
In 2025, hunters have three full weekends to hunt deer, but a winter storm hitting Michigan over the Thanksgiving holiday could impact late-season harvest numbers.
Overall in 2025, hunters have reported 205,000 deer taken as of Wednesday morning, Nov. 26.
In 2024, Michigan hunters harvested 136,524 deer over the entire firearm season, including 50,252 does, or antlerless deer, and 86,272 bucks, or antlered deer.
Sanilac County has seen the most deer taken this season, 3,138 overall, and the most bucks (2,044) and antlerless deer (1,094).
Here’s a look at the hunting numbers for counties in the Lansing area for 2025-26 Michigan deer hunting season.
The numbers for the 2025 firearm season
As of Nov. 26, here are how many deer have been harvested in mid-Michigan during regular firearm season:
Where were the most bucks shot in Greater Lansing?
As of Nov. 26, here are the five counties with the most bucks harvested during regular firearm season:
Where were the most does shot in mid-Michigan?
As of Nov. 26, here are the five counties with the most does harvested during regular firearm season:
Deer hunting numbers in 2024 were strong
A report from the Michigan DNR shows for all 2024 seasons combined, 532,926 people hunted deer, which was 1% greater than the year before.
Data shows 604,088 people purchased a license in 2024.
According to the DNR’s deer harvest reporting site, hunters claimed 299,517 deer for all 2024 seasons.
Where can I find property to hunt near me?
Generally, you can hunt on land you own if it meets safety regulations. You also can hunt on other private land, with permission. You can find places to hunt by visiting Michigan.gov/MiHunt.
Some state parks allow hunting, but national wildlife refuges are closed to hunting unless expressly permitted.
Upcoming 2025-26 Michigan deer hunting season dates
Dates for upcoming 2025-26 deer hunting seasons in Michigan:
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Firearm deer season is nearly over. See the Lansing-area numbers
Reporting by Jalen Williams and Dan Basso, USA TODAY NETWORK / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
