Early Antlerless Season in Michigan: Lessons from Opening Weekend

Early antlerless season in Michigan is my favorite way to kick off the year. First, I get back in the woods before the crowds arrive. Second, I get a few quiet days to recharge.

This year, I spent four days up north in Irons. My son Ethan joined me for opening weekend. As a result, I came home with two does and a handful of lessons worth sharing.

In this post, I’ll cover how we walked in, how I set up my blind, and how I planned for a solo drag-out. I’ll also explain how Michigan’s new digital license worked for me.

Why I Hunt Early Antlerless Season

I hunt early antlerless season for the freezer first. We still have elk meat from a couple of years ago. However, the last two deer seasons were slow for me. I had my knee replaced, and the year before that just didn’t offer much opportunity.

This year felt different. I’m one year past knee surgery, so my energy and excitement were higher than they’ve been in a long time. Because of that, getting a jump on the season felt like a gift.

Early season also gives me a chance to slow down. The woods are quiet, and the weather is mild. As a result, I can think, pray, and appreciate my surroundings with fresh eyes.

Walk Like a Deer, Not Like a Hunter

Ethan drove up after teaching. Over dinner, we made a plan. First, we picked a time to be in the woods. Then we talked about the patterns we’d seen on our trail cameras.

My alarm went off at 3:30 a.m. I was rested and ready. Once we geared up, we took our time walking in. It was about a 10 to 15 minute walk to our stands.

Here’s something I recently learned. Deer are used to the sounds of the woods. Because of that, a person walking at a normal pace doesn’t sound natural to them. In fact, it can spook them before you ever get settled.

So we changed our approach. We walked slowly and paused often. Our goal was to sound more like other animals moving through the woods. It may sound strange, but it’s worth trying.

Let Your Cameras Guide Your Plan

Trail cameras are a big part of how I plan. Before opening day, Ethan and I looked at when deer were moving. Then we built our schedule around those patterns.

On the last evening, I checked my cellular camera from the blind. Nothing had come through from about 1 a.m. until almost 8 p.m. That told me I might have spooked the area. Still, I decided to sit and ride it out.

A camera won’t tell you everything. However, it does give you a starting point. Use it to decide when to go in, then stay flexible.

Blind Setup Lessons I’ll Use Next Year

I put a lot of thought into my pop-up blind. A comfortable chair and a seat cushion made the long sits easier. In addition, brush stacked in front helped it blend in. Comfort matters when you sit for hours.

Once I sat down, I noticed a few things. For example, I could have trimmed some branches for better shooting lanes. I made mental notes and kept hunting.

The woods had also changed in just one week. Leaves were starting to die off and turn color. As fall got closer, the landscape looked different.

Quick blind checklist:

• Set up your blind a week or more ahead.
• Sit in it and look at every shooting lane.
• Trim before the season, not during it.
• Bring a good seat cushion.

Patience Pays Off on the Last Evening

On Sunday afternoon, I almost talked myself out of going. Since I’d taken a doe the night before, I wondered how much venison we really needed. I even started planning to cancel a hunt in October.

Then I thought about my wife. The night before, she had sent me a text. It said, “Good luck, get another one.” I could picture her face. That was her way of saying she was behind me.

I told myself, “That’s what you’re here for.” The decision didn’t upset me. Instead, I felt encouraged. As a result, I headed out as motivated as I’d been at 4 a.m. on opening day.

A Fawn, a Doe, and a Ticking Clock

Around 8 p.m., a young fawn stepped into my shooting lane. She was about 10 yards away. She never saw me. Because she was too small, I passed.

Then I noticed movement in the weeds about 40 yards out. An adult deer was coming in. At first, I could only see her head. When I checked through the scope, I saw no antlers. She was a doe.

Legal shooting hours were close, so I kept one eye on the clock. I coached myself through it: “Scott, you’ve got to squeeze one and hit the vitals.” Next, I waited for a good angle. When she finally turned, I took the safety off and made the shot. She dropped within 40 to 45 yards. Afterward, I was relieved she didn’t run.

Plan for a Solo Drag-Out Before You Shoot

By then, Ethan had headed home. I was alone, so I had to ask myself a hard question. Was I up for this at almost 58?

My answer came fast: “This is what I live for year round.” However, I could say yes because I had prepared. Before the hunt, I staged everything I needed.

My solo harvest steps:

1. Park the four-wheeler and trailer at the road.
2. Carry a backpack with field dressing gear.
3. Use bright trail lights on the four-wheeler for the dark.
4. Walk to the deer and drag it to an open spot.
5. Field dress the deer at a good angle.
6. Hook it to the four-wheeler and haul it to the road.
7. Load it up and head to the processor.

Preparing ahead kept me calm. Because of that, I didn’t have to scramble in fading light. I just followed the steps.

Michigan’s Digital License and Harvest Report

This was the first year Michigan hunters could buy a license online and keep it on their phones. Because I had only bought one antlerless tag, I needed a second one. So I bought it on the DNR website. It was quick, and it cost me $20.

After harvesting, I opened my license in the app and filled out a harvest report. The questions were simple. What day did you shoot it? Which season was it? Was it a buck or a doe? Which county and district?

Finally, I hit send and got a confirmation email right away. As a result, there was no paper tag to lose. Still, always check the Michigan DNR website for current rules and fees before you go.

Why I Wouldn’t Trade This Weekend

Early antlerless season met every expectation. I spent quality time with my son. Filling the freezer was a bonus. Along the way, I learned something new about myself.

Most of all, I learned to embrace these moments. You never know how many days you’ll have in the woods. Because of that, I want to make the most of each one.

Key takeaways:

• Walk slowly and quietly to avoid spooking deer.
• Use your cameras to plan, not to promise.
• Trim shooting lanes before the season starts.
• Stage your gear before you take the shot.
• Check the DNR site for current license rules.

Good luck on your next hunt!