Apply now for access permits, reserved deer hunts in Michigan

Lansing — Michigan deer hunters have through Aug. 15 to apply for two limited-license hunts.

The universal antlerless deer license allows hunters to take an antlerless deer on public or private land in any deer management unit open to antlerless deer hunting. These licenses are available for purchase over the counter without an application.

However, in addition to the universal antlerless deer license, some hunters may need to apply for an antlerless deer hunting access permit to pursue antlerless deer.

Below is a breakdown of the licenses you’ll need to hunt antlerless deer this year, and directions for how to apply for an antlerless deer access permit by Aug. 15.

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Upper Peninsula antlerless opportunity

If you are hunting in the Upper Peninsula with a universal antlerless deer license:

You can hunt antlerless deer in DMU 352 (includes middle DMUs 027, 036, 152 and 252) only if you obtain an antlerless deer hunting access permit to use with your universal antlerless deer license.

• A total of 500 access permits will be available for DMU 352.

• Hunters must have one antlerless deer hunting access permit for DMU 352 plus one universal antlerless deer license for each deer harvested.

Antlerless deer hunting is legal in the southernmost DMUs (022, 055, 121, 122, 155 and 255) under a universal antlerless license and no  access permit is needed.

In the following areas, you cannot use a universal antlerless deer license because antlerless harvest is closed:

• DMU 351 (includes middle DMUs 017, 021, 117, 149, 249 and 349).

• Northernmost DMUs (includes DMUs 007, 031, 042, 048, 066, 127 and 131).

In DMU 351 and DMU 352, a single deer license or deer combo license can be used to take an antlerless deer during the early archery season and during the late archery season. An antlerless deer hunting access permit is not required.

Lower Peninsula reserved deer hunts

A limited number of reserved deer hunts are available on selected state and federal public lands. Some of these hunts are reserved for individuals with disabilities or for those who meet eligibility criteria.

To learn more details about reserved hunts offered at Sharonville State Game Area, Shiawassee River National Wildlife Refuge or Shiawassee State Game Area, visit the Reserved deer hunts page.

To participate in a reserved deer hunt, you must have one reserved deer hunting access permit for the area you are hunting plus one valid deer license for each deer harvested.

You can purchase one reserved deer application now through Aug. 15.

Any remaining reserved deer access permits will be available on a first-come, first-served basis beginning Sept. 8 at 10 a.m. until the quotas are met for each area.

Application information

Hunters may purchase an application for an antlerless deer access permit and a reserved deer access permit through Aug. 15. An application is $5.

You can purchase one permit application per drawing per year at any license agent, online or through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app.

Drawing results will be available Sept. 2.

You can check your drawing results online, in the app or by calling 517-284-9453.

You are responsible for obtaining your drawing results.

How the drawing system works

A limited number of Upper Peninsula antlerless deer hunting access permits and reserved deer hunting access permits will be available by drawing.

Hunters are selected for a deer hunting access permit using a random drawing system. In the access permit drawings, Michigan residents and nonresidents are equally eligible for selection and license purchase. All remaining deer hunting access permits will be available on a first-come, first-served basis beginning Sept. 8 at 10 a.m. until the quotas are met for each area. There is no guarantee that leftover access permits will be available.

Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at (517) 284-9453 or visit Michigan.gov/Deer for more info.