More than halfway through firearm deer season in Michigan hunters have reported just over 100,000 deer taken as of Nov. 26.
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.
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.
Here’s a look at the hunting numbers for 2025-26 Michigan deer hunting season.
The numbers across the state for the 2025 firearm season
As of Nov. 26, here are the top five counties for total deer harvested during regular firearm season:
Where did hunters shoot the fewest deer?
As of Nov. 26, here are the five counties with the fewest deer harvested during regular firearm season:
Where were the most bucks shot?
As of Nov. 26, here are the five counties with the most bucks harvested during regular firearm season:
Where were the most does shot?
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:
Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Firearm deer season is nearly over. Where hunters are seeing success
Reporting by Jalen Williams, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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