Hunting in Michigan

J

jughead

New member
Looking foward to my second season pred. hunting
very much. Been hunting in SW Mi. in Ottawa
and Allegan Co.
A few Questions bout the hunting here...

1. Does howling work?, Do the yotes howl back?
2. Is Baiting legal?
3. Must I where orange? At nite too?
4. Can a centerfire rifle be used in Southern Mi.
when pred/varmint hunting?

Last season I didn't have much luck though
I did finally call in A yote at nite, missed
him though.
Seeing those big yellow eyes coming at ya
is pretty intense.

Thank-you in advance.
 
jughead, I can answer a few questions about hunting here in MI, but I can't answer the questions about a centerfire in the LP. That answer should be in the hunting reg book. Also, check with a local DNR officer AND get the reply in writing. 1.) Howling works and they answer back, sometimes. 2.) Not too sure, but again, check the hunting reg book AND a local DNR officer. If you get a reply, get it in writing. IIRC, some of the area is rimfire/shotgun only. 3.)Orange is a must, day and night.
Hunt safely, MI VHNTR
 
Jughead -

Centerfire is OK, just not during the firearms deer season. That one makes sense, huh. I guess a couple of guys predator hunting isn't like several thousand blasting up the country side after whitetails!

Oh, and no centerfires at night either.

Hope this helps....

Mark
 
Here are a few more comments. You cannot shoot a racoon( coons can only be shot at night by hound hunters) or bobcat at night either. You can only hunt for coyote at night while the season is open for fox. Shot guns with bird shot and no slugs or buckshot can be used along with rimfire rifles at night.

Somewhat limited at night.
Skinner 2
 
The 2003 game book is out. It DOES allow the use of "only a 22 caliber OR smaller caliber rimfire rifle or handgun, or shotgun with loads other than buckshot, slug, ball or cut shell, or bow and arrow." The 17 HMR is allowed to be used for hunting. MI VHNTR
 
1. Yes, but rarely do they answer.

2. Not completely sure, but I know you can't using a road killed deer carcass.

3. Orange is required only during daylight hours.

4. Centerfires are legal during daylight only. You can't use them during firearms deer season and I wouldn't suggest using one during muzzleloader season either. 22 rimfires or smaller at night. If you use a shotgun about the largest size you can use is BB. No buckshot in any size, no slugs.
 
Alleganrem17.
Why not during the muzzleloading season? My understand was that this was ok. Guess I should have gotten that in writing. I started my coyote hunting last year with my 223 during this time as I had all the deer I wanted.

Also did the law change this year to allow the 17 rim at night??? I have not seen the pamplet yet.

Skinner2
 
Skinner2, the quote from my post above was directly from the 2003 Michigan Hunting and Trapping Guide, p.34. This was under the heading : Nightime Raccoon and Predator Hunting, Legal Devices, B. It specifically states "only a 22 or smaller caliber rimfire rifle or handgun,"
This should include the 17 HMR. MI VHNTR
 
Perhaps, the 2003 Michigan Hunting and Trapping guide is wrong? I wonder what a "22 or smaller caliber rimfire rifle or handgun" is then. This wording is a BIG change from the 2002 MI Hunting and Trapping Guide which states "Only a 22 caliber rimfire rifle or 22 caliber rimfire handgun,..." It would appear that the change in wording was made to allow the 17 HMR to be used for night hunting, since the 17 HMR is a smaller caliber than a 22 caliber Mag or LR rimfire.This is why you ALWAYS get any DNR officials response to any question in writing. MI VHNTR
 
Hey Jughead,
I also hunt Ottawa and Allegan County, i live just outside of Holland in Laketown Township.
You will get a lot of good advice here on this board. The shotgun is your best firearm for West Mich, unless your hunting a corn field or something. At night you can Not legally use buckshot, instead use a turkey load. Also don't forget that we have the same blaze orange laws for predator hunting as we do for gun deer hunting.
Give me an e-mail sometime and we could possibly plan a hunt for the future.
scraphorn@yahoo.com
c-ya,
BVW (Nigel)
 
MI VHNTR,

Yup, looks like the rules have changed for 2003. I was going off of the 2002 rules and CO determination last winter. Sorry, if I didn't clarrify. Been so busy I forgot that the 2003 rules are out! :eek:

Mark
 
Mark, no problem at all. At least we can use the 17 HMR if we want to. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif It's odd to see the MI DNR on top of the 17 rimfire issue, when they are quite a bit behind the times on so many other things. MI VHNTR
 
MIVHNTR,

I think it is a result of the .17HMR being so heavily marketed and taking the general hunting/shooting public by storm.

I always find it funny to talk to the average Joe-Hunter at the range or family get-together who has no idea any other .17 caliber rounds exist other than the .17HMR. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

How's the UP weather? Cooling down yet? Has the army of bear-hunters arrived? Where about's are you?

Mark
 
Mark, ditto on the lack of knowledge on the assorted 17 centerfires available. The weather here is starting to cool down now. As a matter of fact, a small town near here dropped to 37 last week. :eek: It's a bit early for that! The bear hunters are starting to arrive in small numbers. I pass one of the Gonzo Bear Camps on the way to camp and there was a bunch of activity there on Sunday. It appears that someone has drawn a tag for the area, since there was zero activity there last year. I'm about 17 miles south of Marquette and the big lake. Take care and hunt safely. MI VHNTR
 


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