The 2024 muzzleloader deer-hunting season begins Friday and ends at the close of shooting hours on Sunday, Dec. 15. When heading out to enjoy your season, remember that legal equipment and other regulations vary based on where you are hunting.

“As the goals of deer management have changed, so have regulations around muzzleloader season,” said Chad Stewart, Michigan Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologist. “The Michigan Department of Natural Resources recognizes the abundant deer population in the southern part of the Lower Peninsula and is focusing on ways to increase antlerless harvest. The DNR wants hunters to have every opportunity to maximize success and help manage the deer population in southern Michigan.”

In 2020, due to low hunter success during muzzleloader season, the DNR extended the late antlerless firearm deer-hunting season from Dec. 16-Jan. 1 in the Lower Peninsula.

There is also a new extended late antlerless firearm season from Jan. 2-12 in the southern part of the Lower Peninsula. A discounted antlerless license for this extended hunting season is available for $5 per license.

Additionally, archery deer-hunting season began Dec. 1 and remains open until Jan. 1. For more details on these seasons, see Michigan.gov/Deer.

Muzzleloader season firearm regulations

Zone 1 (Upper Peninsula)

If you are hunting deer with a muzzleloading firearm during the muzzleloader deer-hunting season in Zone 1, you may only possess, carry afield or harvest a deer with a muzzleloading rifle, muzzleloading shotgun or black-powder pistol, loaded with black powder or a commercially manufactured black-powder substitute.

In the Upper Peninsula, only certified hunters with a disability may use a crossbow or a modified bow during the muzzleloader deer-hunting season.

North of the Limited Firearm Deer Zone (Lower Peninsula)

All legal firearms used for harvesting deer during the regular firearm deer-hunting season (Nov. 15-30) may continue to be used during muzzleloader season.

Limited Firearm Deer Zone (Lower Peninsula)

Hunters taking deer in the Limited Firearm Deer Zone may take deer using a crossbow, bow or a firearm that meets the following requirements:

• Shotguns may have a smooth or rifled barrel and may be of any gauge.
• A muzzleloading rifle or black powder handgun must be loaded with black powder or a commercially manufactured black powder substitute.
• Conventional (smokeless powder) handguns must be .35-caliber or larger and loaded with straight-walled cartridges and may be single- or multiple-shot but cannot exceed a maximum capacity of nine rounds in the barrel and magazine combined.
• A .35-caliber or larger rifle must be loaded with straight-walled cartridges with a minimum case length of 1.16 inches and a maximum case length of 1.80 inches.
• A .35-caliber or larger air rifle or pistol must be charged only from an external, high-compression power source.

Hunter orange requirements apply for anyone using a muzzleloader or other firearm during the muzzleloader season. Hunter orange does not apply for individuals using a crossbow or archery equipment to take deer during the muzzleloader season.

Hunters are required to report their deer kills within 72 hours of harvest.

Current regulations and harvest reporting are available through the DNR’s Hunt Fish app, online at Michigan.gov/Deer or with the help of staff at DNR customer service centers.