Michigan

Species on recordOpen now0Classified24Record year2026

The place

What Michigan is like to hunt

Awaiting survey — Michigan overview

Season classification for Michigan is complete for 2026, but the qualitative overview has not been written yet. Dates, bag limits and status below are current; the narrative is what is outstanding.

Issuing agencyMichigan Department of Natural Resourceswww.michigan.gov/dnrRecord year 2026

The reason people drive here

Ring-necked pheasant

#1Ring-necked pheasantRing-necked pheasant is classified as huntable/regulated upland game in 44 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season (research pass captured 2026-08-18). This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species; see each state's own state-species record for season dates and any opportunistic 2026 notes captured incidentally.

Opens in 50 days

44 statesUpland

Every bird classified here

Species run

Status is computed from the published dates, not stored — a stale build cannot show an ended season as open.

Opens in 50 days

44 statesUpland

#2Northern bobwhite quailNorthern bobwhite quail is classified as huntable/regulated upland game in 42 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season (research pass captured 2026-08-18). This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species; see each state's own state-species record for season dates and any opportunistic 2026 notes captured incidentally.

Opens in 60 days

42 statesUpland

#8Gray (Hungarian) partridgeGray (Hungarian) partridge is classified as huntable/regulated upland game in 23 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season (research pass captured 2026-08-18). This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species; see each state's own state-species record for season dates and any opportunistic 2026 notes captured incidentally.

No open season

23 statesUpland

#7ChukarChukar is classified as huntable/regulated upland game in 24 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season (research pass captured 2026-08-18). This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species; see each state's own state-species record for season dates and any opportunistic 2026 notes captured incidentally.

Not present in Michigan

24 statesUpland

#6Greater prairie-chickenGreater prairie-chicken is classified as huntable/regulated upland game in 13 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season (research pass captured 2026-08-18). This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species; see each state's own state-species record for season dates and any opportunistic 2026 notes captured incidentally.

Not present (extirpated)

13 statesUpland

#20Lesser prairie-chickenLesser prairie-chicken is classified as huntable/regulated upland game in 5 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season (research pass captured 2026-08-18). This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species; see each state's own state-species record for season dates and any opportunistic 2026 notes captured incidentally.

Not present in Michigan

5 statesUpland

#5Sharp-tailed grouseSharp-tailed grouse is classified as huntable/regulated upland game in 14 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season (research pass captured 2026-08-18). This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species; see each state's own state-species record for season dates and any opportunistic 2026 notes captured incidentally.

Opens in 50 days

14 statesUpland

#3Ruffed grouseRuffed grouse is classified as huntable/regulated upland game in 38 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season (research pass captured 2026-08-18). This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species; see each state's own state-species record for season dates and any opportunistic 2026 notes captured incidentally.

Opens in 25 days

38 statesUpland

#4Greater sage-grouseGreater sage-grouse is classified as huntable/regulated upland game in 11 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season (research pass captured 2026-08-18). This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species; see each state's own state-species record for season dates and any opportunistic 2026 notes captured incidentally.

Not present in Michigan

11 statesUpland

#14California quailCalifornia quail is classified as huntable/regulated upland game in 9 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season (research pass captured 2026-08-18). This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species; see each state's own state-species record for season dates and any opportunistic 2026 notes captured incidentally.

Not present in Michigan

9 statesUpland

#13Gambel's quailGambel's quail is classified as huntable/regulated upland game in 9 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season (research pass captured 2026-08-18). This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species; see each state's own state-species record for season dates and any opportunistic 2026 notes captured incidentally.

Not present in Michigan

9 statesUpland

#15Scaled quailScaled quail is classified as huntable/regulated upland game in 7 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season (research pass captured 2026-08-18). This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species; see each state's own state-species record for season dates and any opportunistic 2026 notes captured incidentally.

Not present in Michigan

7 statesUpland

#18Mountain quailMountain quail is classified as huntable/regulated upland game in 5 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season (research pass captured 2026-08-18). This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species; see each state's own state-species record for season dates and any opportunistic 2026 notes captured incidentally.

Not present in Michigan

5 statesUpland

#11Spruce grouseSpruce grouse is classified as huntable/regulated upland game in 11 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season (research pass captured 2026-08-18). This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species; see each state's own state-species record for season dates and any opportunistic 2026 notes captured incidentally.

Protected — hunting prohibited

11 statesUpland

#12Dusky grouseDusky grouse is classified as huntable/regulated upland game in 10 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season (research pass captured 2026-08-18). This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species; see each state's own state-species record for season dates and any opportunistic 2026 notes captured incidentally.

Not present in Michigan

10 statesUpland

#17Sooty grouseSooty grouse is classified as huntable/regulated upland game in 5 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season (research pass captured 2026-08-18). This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species; see each state's own state-species record for season dates and any opportunistic 2026 notes captured incidentally.

Not present in Michigan

5 statesUpland

#21Willow ptarmiganWillow ptarmigan is classified as huntable/regulated upland game in 1 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season (research pass captured 2026-08-18). This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species; see each state's own state-species record for season dates and any opportunistic 2026 notes captured incidentally.

Not present in Michigan

1 statesUpland

#22Rock ptarmiganRock ptarmigan is classified as huntable/regulated upland game in 1 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season (research pass captured 2026-08-18). This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species; see each state's own state-species record for season dates and any opportunistic 2026 notes captured incidentally.

Not present in Michigan

1 statesUpland

#16White-tailed ptarmiganWhite-tailed ptarmigan is classified as huntable/regulated upland game in 7 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season (research pass captured 2026-08-18). This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species; see each state's own state-species record for season dates and any opportunistic 2026 notes captured incidentally.

Not present in Michigan

7 statesUpland

Band-tailed pigeonBand-tailed pigeon is classified as huntable/regulated upland game in 0 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season (research pass captured 2026-08-18). This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species; see each state's own state-species record for season dates and any opportunistic 2026 notes captured incidentally.

Not present in Michigan

0 statesUpland

#23Himalayan snowcockHimalayan snowcock is classified as huntable/regulated upland game in 1 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season (research pass captured 2026-08-18). This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species; see each state's own state-species record for season dates and any opportunistic 2026 notes captured incidentally.

Not present in Michigan

1 statesUpland

Plain chachalacaPlain chachalaca is classified as huntable/regulated upland game in 1 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season (research pass captured 2026-08-18). This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species; see each state's own state-species record for season dates and any opportunistic 2026 notes captured incidentally.

Not present in Michigan

1 statesUpland

#9Mourning doveMourning dove has an open season in 49 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season. This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species this pass.

No hunting season — protected as nongame bird

49 statesFederal framework

#10American woodcockAmerican woodcock has an open season in 37 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season. This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species this pass.

Opens in 25 days

37 statesFederal framework

Big game open during your bird season

White-tailed deerNo draw, no quota, no application/deadline for the general archery/firearm/muzzleloader deer license — sold over the counter statewide to non-residents (base license $151, deer combo $190, single deer license $20). A separate narrow drawing exists only for the 'reserved deer hunt access permit' on specific managed properties, not the general season.
Wild turkeySpring: Hunt 0234 (statewide) and Hunt 0301 (TMU ZZ private land) carry unlimited quotas and are sold OTC as leftover licenses starting March 16, 2026 with no application needed; other spring TMU/hunt numbers (TMU M, NN, ZZ hunt 0302/0303) are draw-required, application period Jan. 1–Feb. 1, 2026 (closed), non-residents explicitly eligible to apply and to buy leftover licenses. Fall: no drawing at all — TMU I is unlimited-quota OTC and TMU M is quota-capped (2,200) first-come-first-served OTC; both on sale since Aug. 15, 2026, 10 a.m. ET, non-residents on equal footing with residents.