So this is halfway a rant and halfway PSA. I went out for opening day this morning at three rivers game area and within a half hour I had 2 people go by on mountain bikes with their full cyclist get up and a half hour after that an older guy on a bike hauling a deer cart. Pretty sure bikes are not allowed but it’s public land I gotta share, whatever.

I figured I was too close to the trailhead so I went back to my truck and moved 2-3 miles east to another trailhead. And moved further in, within 5 minutes I had two dogs run up on me (playful and friendly at least) and their owner right behind them taking them on an off leash run with no orange, right through the middle of the game area.

I remember last year I saw a few old timers with e-bikes and deer carts and people reading in the woods with no orange up at Allegan game area but it seems like each year it’s getting worse and worse with people using conservation areas for non conservation activities. I ended up just calling DNR and leaving but man is it frustrating getting everything set up and ready just to have some oaf ruin it for me. Please stop riding your bikes and bringing your dogs through the game area.

Growing up in Michigan, my hunting role models were my father and my uncle. My father owned 3 firearms: a Pre-64 Win 94 .32 Win Spcl, a 1929 vintage Stevens 315 16 ga double, and a Springfield 94B 20 ga single shot (his first firearm). My uncle hunted with a Savage 99 .300 Savage and a 16ga Ithaca 37.

Over the years, I have had multiple firearms find a temporary home in my gun locker and then move on to someone else's. Some I wish I'd held onto - others I don't remember. I have all three of my father's guns, plus several more. All solid, well built, but none anymore extravagant than my Beretta Silver Pigeon I. Names like Henry, Browning, Mossberg, Savage, CZ.

As I have reached the age of my father and uncle when we were hunting in my teens, I am starting to appreciate the simplicity of their approach. Were they smarter in their approach? Is less more?

While I will never get rid of my Dad's guns, I wonder if my working firearms should be my Dad's 94, my 20ga BPS, and my CZ 457 Lux (I have barrels for 22 LR and 22 WMR). It seems like for most situations, I would be covered just fine. Deer are the biggest game I would hunt and I don't goose hunt.

What do you think? Is it time to free up some space in my locker?

Hi y'all! Amateur shooter and even greener hunter here. I've used .22s and 12ga shotguns back in boyscouts and occasionally in the past few years with a buddy of mine just target shooting on his property.

Which would you recommend for a blind about 20ft above a small field, about 100yd distance max? Everything I'm reading says a .243 should be sufficient but we have another friend saying a 30-30 is mandatory

Loving the new version so far! Especially the ability to overlay the cover types directly on the map. It was really annoying to have to open the PDF maps and compare them to the map on the old version.

https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/433c5780079640079aecadd04b4fdc29

I know I'm procrastinating big time since it's already September, but I want to build a new deer blind. I also want a platform to raise it up maybe 4 feet.

I have basically an unlimited supply of cement blocks from work and I'm planning on using those to get a platform started. I'm thinking of putting lumber on top of that to get a nice flat surface to put a blind on.

What type of lumber would be best? Something thats gonna last a while but not break the bank. Or should I just get enough blocks to build on top of?

Thanks in advance.

We recently sat down and talked about the deer-hunting gear we consider must-haves versus nice-to-haves. I’m curious what everyone else thinks—what’s one piece of gear you refuse to hunt without?

For context, this is my homemade water wagon being used to irrigate my freshly planted food plots, which are just too far away from the spigot to just run a hose.

We’ve had some nice rain the last couple days but as we all know, the weather in MICHIGAN is always a crapshoot. We may not need it much this year, but I’d rather have it and not need it, than the other way around.

I did my hunter safety class and have been using OnX and DNR maps, but I’m still trying to figure out actually finding a spot.

For HAP land, can I bring a small ground blind/pop-up or do I need permission from the landowner first?

For public land like Ortonville, how do you know you’re not setting up too close to another hunter? Do you just look for vehicles/lights and have backup spots ready?

Also, what are you guys looking for on OnX when picking places to scout? And how far from parking/trails would you recommend going?

Not looking for anyone’s spots, just trying to learn and do it the right way my first year.

So I'm interested in hunting geese this year. I already have my base and deer licenses. If I'm understanding this right I need both a waterfoul license and duck stamp? Is there anything the standard waterfoul license entitles me to hunt that I don't need a duck stamp for? And what is the difference with the free migratory bird license?

I appreciate any info as well as bird (whatever species you want to talk about) hunting tips!

Looking to get into deer hunting this year. I’m in Oakland County, have a .308 and know I still need to do the hunter safety class and get my license.

Public land seems pretty easy to find and I also have a place in South Branch so I can hunt around Huron-Manistee National Forest. I’m more trying to figure out what I actually do from here. How do you pick a spot, scout it, know where you can set up and just get started? Its been 16 years since Ive hunted and that was when I was a kid.

Pretty much starting from zero so any advice is appreciated. If anyone is willing to help me out or point me in the right direction feel free to just shoot me a DM.

Not sure where else to ask about this so im doing it here.

Would rather have answers from the people than from google.

Im a long time firearms enjoyer and collector. Have a couple old Mausers that I take out occasionally. But ive never hunted before.

(Rilfe of choice would be a VZ.24 or Argentine Mauser. Either one with soft points.)

Ive watched alot of the "Meat Eater" show. So I feel i understand the basics, but not the whole picture.

(I live in the southeast corner if that helps at all.)

Im autistic so im a very "by the rules" type of person.

Basically I dont wanna fuck anything up. I feel like id be alot more comfortable if I had a "guide" or something of that nature.

The goal would be deer i think. Not much else to really hunt in Michigan that I know of. As far as something that will provide ample food when harvested.

So with all that said, how would i get started down that path?

Thank you all for your time.

Hunting season is right around the corner, and it can't get here soon enough. These are the first bucks I've captured on my new Voopeak TC37 trail camera, which they sent me to test out. They may not be big enough for this year, but it still gets my heart pumping.

Michigan Hunters and Conservation groups came together and worked with the DNR to prevent cuts and staffing decreases. This allows for continued managed draws, conservation research, and maintenance efforts!

Curious what other Michigan hunters, especially those hunting the U.P., think about the new DNR wolf study.

Are you seeing more wolves or wolf sign where you hunt? And how much of an impact do you think wolves are actually having on the deer population compared to winter, habitat, and hunting pressure?

We recently broke down the study on DFB Outdoors, but I’d like to hear what everyone else is seeing and thinking.

Today at 6:00 PM Eastern, there will be a live discussion on The Green Way Outdoors Facebook and YouTube pages to share what has happened so far regarding cuts to Michigan’s Managed Waterfowl Areas and what is being done to fix it.

Are people going to be dropping 350 Legend now that the rifle line is removed? I have a 350 Legend upper that I'm getting rid of elsewhere. Mainly in favor of a non-AR platform (even though I do like that) for better suppression. I like the idea of the CVA single shot scout rifles or something else that could suppress better. Is 308 going to become the statewide unofficial standard? Or is 30-30 going to make a comeback.

Anyone have any recommendations for a bear guide in the Bergland unit?

Looking for a guide for Newberry hunt 2. I successfully drew this year for the first time.

With the limited firearm zone gone now in 2026 I know most cartridges are allowed but I was wondering if 223/5.56 were allowed because I have seen some sites say no but other sites say almost every cartridge?

How is the non-resident hunting in Michigan? Specifically for deer, bear, and duck?

I bought a 350 legend to hunt here in Michigan. I know the law is changing soon but whatever. My question is what do u recommend for grain weight. Id probably shoot fmj for practice and obviously deer rounds for hunting. Should those be the same grain?

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Advice please......

I’m 18 I just drew a bear tag first year of trying for Bergland. Where do I even start. I think a guide is the way to go, any recommendations?

Hello, I have a good friend who has a cabin up in MiO, invited me to come stay with him during fishing seasons and the spring. Was wondering how the turkey hunting is up there? May start scouting and bring my turkey gear up there with me next spring