Hunters still seeking to take a deer this season can plan to bow hunt through the end of January in southeastern Michigan. This extended archery deer hunting season will be held in the urban deer management zone of Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties.

Chad Stewart, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources deer, elk and moose program leader, said that the extended hunt is a chance for hunters to pursue some high-quality deer and an opportunity for local officials to manage urban deer conflicts in their communities.

“Archery hunters can take advantage of some excellent hunting in January,” Stewart said. “This longer season also is a fairly low-cost first attempt for municipalities to help reduce the conflicts that arise when deer numbers rise in more populated, urban areas.”

Stewart said hunting is one option that can be used to decrease human/deer conflicts – for example, deer feeding in residential gardens, car/deer collisions or property damage – by controlling deer population numbers in affected areas. Communities may wish to open parks or other natural areas to archery deer hunting.

The archery deer hunting season in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties is extended through Jan. 31. Licenses for this season include a deer or deer combo license or an antlerless deer license valid for Macomb, Oakland or Wayne counties. All rules and regulations for the archery season apply.

Hunters should check on local ordinances in the communities they are interested in hunting to make sure hunting is allowed and to see whether only specific areas are open for the extended season. State game and wildlife areas in all three counties are open to hunting during this season.

Deer hunting regulations, including archery equipment restrictions, can be found in the 2020 Hunting Digest or by visiting Michigan.gov/Deer.

Community leaders with questions about urban deer management are encouraged to contact a local DNR wildlife biologist.

Contact: Chad Stewart, 517-282-4810