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Deer Hunting Land In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

Gone Hunting Sign

Many outdoor enthusiasts flock to Michigan for its Upper Peninsula deer hunting each year. This region has a rich history of hunting. With the UP spanning more than 16,000 square acres with three-fourths of that land open for public hunting, it’s no wonder people choose to spend deer season in Michigan’s northern region. It’s a prime location for hunting. In exchange for free access to public lands, all hunters have to do is list their name and address on their tree blinds and avoid cutting nailing into, or cutting down trees.

Popular Hunting Locations in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

Being the vast amount of open space, trespassing is not much of a problem in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula region. Outdoorsmen seeking to hunt for Upper Peninsula deer will find ample opportunity. Hunters can find open fields and land throughout the UP, including L’Anse, Baraga, Houghton, and Calumet. The State of Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) offers interactive maps for people to identify approximate boundaries of hunting land open to the public, along with private land where hunters are permitted to go.

Benefits of Owning Your Own Deer Hunting Land

Hunters engage in many traditions, including “deer camp.” Deer camp is a place where hunters of all ages gather together and stay during their hunting trip. They may stay in a cabin, camper, or even a shack located near the hunting area. It’s a social time for hunters to get together, swap stories, lament on the “big one that got away,” or even engage in a little bragging.

Owning your own land to hunt on offers many benefits, including providing an economic benefit to your local community. You can host your own deer camp for visitors coming to hunt during deer season. Or, if you’re not wanting to host crowds, build your own cabin and avoid the whole scene. Having your own property enables you to hunt freely minus the worry about someone else shooting in your direction or space as you vie for the same deer herd.

Either way, owning property near the Upper Peninsula’s deer population offers you choices and great benefits.

Hunting Rules and Regulations For Michigan

Like other states, Michigan has strict rules when it comes to hunting. How many deer can be hunted is directly tied to deer management regulations in every region in both the Upper and Lower Peninsulas. Rules associated with all firearms seasons must be adhered to or consequences will be faced if caught breaking the law.

- Department of Natural Resources. Michigan’s DNR manages hunting and has deer check stations located throughout the state.
- Hunting and license fees. Used to fund a significant portion of wildlife conservation and management in Michigan, hunters must purchase an annual base license, along with additional licenses if they want to hunt animals outside of the small game category. Base license fees are:
- $6 for a Junior License
- $11 for a Resident License
- $151 for a Nonresident License
- $5 for a Senior License (Residents only)
- Other licenses, such as antlerless deer/junior antlerless deer or antlerless deer managed area hunts can be purchased for an additional $20.
- Hunting fines. Persons without a license and engaging in deer hunting or other illegal activities will face stiff penalties.
- Violating permits, season, bag limits, shooting hours, and methods of taking game can result in a $50 to $500 fine and/or up to 90 days jail time.
- Illegal possession/taking of deer can result in $200 to $1,000 fine and 5 to 90 days jail time, along with revocation of license for the current year and next three consecutive years.
- Illegal use of artificial light with firearm, crossbow, or bow and arrow results in a $100 to $500 fine, along with a potential 90 days in fail plus revocation of license for the current and following year.
- Carrying firearms while under the influence of alcohol or drugs results in a $500 fine and up to 93 days in jail.
- Multiple offenders who have three convictions within the preceding five years face a $500 to $2,000 fine and 10 to 180 days in jail.
- When participating in Upper Peninsula deer hunting, it’s important to follow all of these rules, along with abiding by specified dates for hunting. Regular firearm deer hunting season is November 15 – November 30 and Late Antlerless Firearm hunting is from December 17 – January 1.

Up North Realty is strongly committed to helping our clients find the right property to suit their needs. Located along the pristine shores of Lake Superior in the small town of L’Anse, our team of agents is very familiar with the local areas and the vast amount of hunting to be found in the UP. Our founder, Tracy Kahkonen, is a lifelong resident of the UP and knows the ins and outs of the communities we work in. To learn more about how we can assist you with your property search, contact us today at 906-524-2211.

Written by Tracy Kahkonen on December 5, 2020