Michigan’s Muzzleloader Deer Season Begins

The Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters that the 2012 muzzleloader season for deer opens today in Zone 1 (Upper Peninsula) and Zone 3 (southern Michigan). The season runs for 10 days in the U.P. and 17 days in southern Michigan.

The 2012 muzzleloader season in Zone 2 (northern Lower Peninsula) runs from Dec. 14-23.

Hunters must possess appropriate licenses. Either a firearm deer license or combination deer license is required to take an antlered buck. An antlerless deer license is required to take antlerless deer. Antler point restrictions and baiting restrictions that applied in earlier seasons remain in effect.

A reminder for crossbow hunters: only hunters with a certified disability may use a crossbow or a modified bow during the muzzleloader season in the Upper Peninsula. This restriction applies to the Upper Peninsula only.

All deer hunters are required to wear hunter orange during muzzleloader season.

For information about hunting in Michigan, including regulations, season dates and bag limits, go to www.michigan.gov/hunting.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the agency of the state of Michigancharged with maintaining natural resources such as state parks, state forests, and recreation areas. It is governed by a director appointed by the Governor and accepted by the Natural Resources Commission. Currently the Director is Keith Creagh.