Politics · Deer huntingMichigan deer rifle rules: Bottleneck rifles allowed for November 15–30 seasonWritten November 14, 2026 at 3:09 PM UTCWatchTranscript0:00Michigan Deer Rifle Rules.0:01Bottleneck rifles allowed for November15,30 season.0:07Michigan now permits bottleneck cartridge rifles for deer hunting in its formerly0:11restricted zone.0:12More than two hundred zero hunters take part annually in the southern lower0:15peninsula's firearm deer season.0:17They now have more equipment choices on public and private land, while building0:21safety zones still protect their neighbors.0:23What changes for hunters and nearby residents when that equipment boundary0:26disappears?0:27The state eliminated its limited firearms deer zone in the southern lower peninsula.0:31Otherwise, legal bottleneck cartridge rifles can now be used there during the0:34regular firearm deer season, bringing that region into line with the rest of0:38Michigan.0:39The Natural Resources Commission approved the change on May thirteenth.0:42Its seven members are appointed by the governor.0:44State law gives the commission authority to issue wildlife orders and set hunting0:48regulations.0:49The zone disappeared on September twelfth.0:51The regular firearm season opens November fifteenth and closes November thirty.0:55Hunters entering the woods for that opener will be using an equipment rule that's0:58already in force.0:59Hunters could already use some rifles in the former zone.1:02The nickname shotgun zone left out those options.1:04Shotguns of any gauge were allowed, with smooth or rifled barrels along with1:08specified muzzle loaders, handguns, and air guns.1:11Previously, conventional rifles had to be at least thirty, five caliber, and fire1:15straight walled cartridges.1:16Their cases had to measure between one point one six and one point eight zero1:20inches.1:20Removing that regional rule opens the choice to otherwise legal rifles using1:24bottleneck cartridges.1:25Examples of the previously permitted rifle cartridges included three hundred and1:29fifty legend, three hundred and sixty buckhammer, and four hundred and fifty1:33Bushmaster.1:34Conventional handguns also had to be at least thirty, five caliber, and use straight1:38walled cartridges.1:40Their maximum capacity was nine rounds in the barrel and magazine combined.1:43Air rifles and air pistols had to be at least thirty, five caliber and charged only1:47from an external high compression source.1:49Muzzle loading rifles and black powder handguns had to use black powder or a1:53commercially manufactured substitute.1:55The department took no position for or against changing the regional firearm1:59restrictions.2:00But it wanted matching rules on public and private land if commissioners change2:03them.2:03Applying one equipment standard across both was intended to reduce hunter confusion2:07and enforcement complexity.2:09More than two hundred zero hunters participate annually in this region's firearm2:12deer season.2:13Those hunters could drive more firearm and ammunition purchases.2:16How many will change equipment this year isn't known.2:19Subscribe to this channel to follow how the first regular season under these rules2:23unfolds.2:23Statewide firearm limits still determine what hunters can carry.2:26The current rules allow shotguns, qualifying rifles and handguns, and muzzle-loading2:30firearms using black powder or a manufactured substitute.2:33For rifles and handguns, the summary uses the wording of any caliber larger than2:38a202 caliber rimfire.2:41A semi-automatic rifle or shotgun capable of holding more than six shells in the2:45barrel and magazine combined can't be used to hunt deer.2:47Hunters still have to check their firearms capacity when choosing equipment for the2:51season.2:52Building safety zones also remain in place.2:54They extend one hundred fifty yards or four hundred and fifty feet around occupied2:58homes and cabins.2:59And around barns or other buildings used in farm operations, hunting access to3:03private property and permission inside those safety zones are separate requirements.3:07Without written permission from the property's owner or occupant, hunters may not3:11hunt in, shoot through, or shoot at wildlife with a firearm inside that zone.3:15The broader equipment rule leaves that written permission requirement in place.3:18The safety zone restriction governs hunting.3:21It doesn't generally cover shooting ranges, target shooting, law enforcement3:25activity, or other lawful non-hunting firearm discharge.3:27Special safety zones also apply at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.3:31Hunters still need to check the rules for the particular property they plan to use.3:35Firearm deer hunters must wear an outermost orange cap, hat, vest, jacket, or3:40reindeer visible from all sides.3:41Orange camouflage must be at least fifty percent hunter orange.3:44Bowen crossbow hunters must also meet firearm season requirements, including orange.3:48Successful hunters with state-issued deer licenses must report their harvest within3:52seventy, two hours or before transferring possession.3:55W.3:56Eshruver comes first.3:57The department couldn't predict whether removing the zone would change4:00participation, deer harvest or hunting, safety incidents.4:04Certain straight-walled cartridges have been allowed since two thousand and4:07fourteen, without a notable change in deer harvest.4:09Officials therefore expected little change in harvest or subsequent biological4:13effects from expanding equipment further.4:15That expectation still awaits results from this first regular season.4:19Hunters have the broader firearm choice now, with the same building zone4:22protections, visibility requirements, and harvest reporting obligations.Read the articleStory timelineHeyDex
