Michigan Mixed Bag: Remember to report your whitetail harvest

Lansing — After harvesting your deer, be sure to report it using the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app on your phone or online through eLicense. If you need help reporting your harvest, call (517) 284-9453.

Hunters must report their harvest within 72 hours or before transferring possession of the deer to another person, processor, or taxidermist.

After reporting, hunters are still required to attach a paper kill tag to the harvested deer. If the head and body are separated, the kill tag should remain with the head. Anyone in possession of a deer after the reporting timeframe expires must be able to present the reporting confirmation number.

“Michigan’s mandatory harvest reporting system has been in place since the 2022 season, and we greatly appreciate hunters’ cooperation with this effort,” said Brent Rudolph, Michigan Department of Natural Resources deer, elk and moose management specialist. “The data provided are important for our deer management efforts, and the near real-time reports offer valuable insight throughout the season.”

MORE COVERAGE FROM MICHIGAN OUTDOOR NEWS:

Elk proposals would lengthen Michigan hunting seasons

Michigan commission eyes proposed coyote season strategy

Michigan commission OKs changes to turkey hunting seasons; bass proposals not approved

Freezer Already Full? Consider a Donation

Lansing — Hunters, if you have success this season, consider donating a deer or money to Hunters Feeding Michigan, a program that helps Michiganders get venison to feed their families.

Your generosity can make a real difference to friends and neighbors who are struggling.

Contact Tom Weston at (517) 388-6342 for more info.

Spotted Lanternfly Population Discovered in Jackson County

Lansing — The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has completed its 2025 spotted lanternfly monitoring efforts, confirming a new population in Jackson County thanks to a report submitted by an attentive Michigander through the Eyes in the Field reporting tool.

“Spotted lanternfly does not pose a risk to human or animal health, but it can be a serious outdoor nuisance,” said MDARD Director Tim Boring. “Public reporting plays a key role in identifying new spotted lanternfly infestations and helping MDARD and its partners respond quickly.”

As of November 2025, MDARD has confirmed spotted lanternfly populations in Jackson, Lenawee, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland and Wayne counties.

Individuals who find a spotted lanternfly egg mass, nymph or adult outside of a county with a confirmed population should:

• Take photos. Photos are necessary to verify a report and aid in identification.

• Provide details. Note the date, time and location of the sighting.

Report it. Submit a report of your sighting online using the Eyes in the Field web page.

Individuals in Jackson, Lenawee, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland or Wayne County do not need to report sightings of spotted lanternfly. Individuals who travel through these counties, however, should check their vehicle and any items that have been outdoors for the presence of spotted lanternfly insects and egg masses and remove them before leaving.

For more information about identifying, reporting and managing spotted lanternfly, visit the state of Michigan’s spotted lanternfly website and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s spotted lanternfly web page.

Hunters: Follow Best Practices this Deer Season

Lansing — There is still a lot of deer hunting coming up in the Wolverine State. The second week of the firearms deer season is upon us and is followed by a 10-day muzzleloader season, then a firearms antlerless season in the Lower Peninsula.

To ensure a safe season on both public and private land, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is urging hunters to follow best practices to help them avoid the most common violations conservation officers see every year. Remember to have the proper license in your possession and to properly tag your deer, safely transport your firearm, know your target and what’s beyond it, respect landowner rights, share public land, leave land better than you found it, wear hunter orange, know and follow baiting regulations, hunt in season and during legal hours, and respect other hunters.

Stop By the DNR’s Deer Drop-In Monday

Lansing — The DNR’s Hunter Appreciation: Deer Drop-In Monday takes place Dec. 1 at numerous locations across the state. All hunters are invited to drop in and say hello. Harvested deer are welcome but certainly not required.

Each event offers the chance to bring in a deer or lower jaw for aging, pick up free hunting swag like patches, stickers, hand warmers, field-dressing gloves and more, and connect with DNR staff and fellow hunters and talk about the season.

The event runs 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the following locations: Marquette Customer Service Center (CSC), Escanaba CSC, Baraga CSC, Crystal Falls Field Office, Sault Ste. Marie Field Office, Newberry CSC, Gaylord CSC, Traverse City CSC, Cadillac CSC, Roscommon CSC, Lapeer State Game Area, Waterloo Wildlife Office, Bay City CSC, Cass City Field Office, Crane Pond Field Office, Allegan Field Office, Barry State Game Area, Muskegon State Game Area, Flat River Field Office, Rose Lake Field Office, Paris Field Office, Lansing CSC, and Plainwell CSC.