The Metro: ‘One Buck Rule’ has Michigan deer hunters divided

By: Owen Armentrout

25 August 2026 at 14:18

Editor’s Note: This story was updated to include the ‘earn a buck’ pilot program being approved by the Michigan Natural Resource Commission and corrected to reflect the ‘one buck rule’ only applies to areas in the Lower Peninsula.

The Michigan Natural Resource Commission (NRC) has approved new regulations for deer hunters in the Lower Peninsula. The policy changes are reigniting long-standing tensions between hunters and the state.

‘One Buck Rule’

Starting in 2027, hunters in the Lower Peninsula will be limited to harvesting one antlered deer (buck) per season. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is encouraging hunters to take more does, which could help the state curb exploding deer populations in the southern portion of the state.

The rule could also help younger bucks live longer, meaning more mature bucks in the herd.

The Natural Resource Commission also approved an ‘earn a buck‘ pilot program in five Lower Peninsula counties that will allow hunters who have harvested a doe to purchase an additional antlered deer tag. Those counties are Hillsdale, Kalamazoo, Barry, Ingham and Lapeer.

End of the line for the rifle line

Starting November 15, 2026, hunters will be able to use high-powered rifles in southern Michigan, below the ‘rifle line,’ an area which had previously been restricted to shotguns, muzzleloaders and straight-wall cartridge rifles.

Kevin Vistisen hosts the Deer Hunter Podcast and he says tension between hunters and state bodies Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and governor-appointed Natural Resources Commission (NRC) have been an issue for years.

“A lot of people in this country are just like, mentally wounded by being lied to by establishments for decades, and does that trickle down to state level policy? Yeah certainly.”

Vistisen joined Owen Armentrout on The Metro alongside MDNR specialist Brent Rudolph to discuss the recent deer hunting policy changes in Michigan, and how hunters are responding.

Hear the full conversation using the media player above.

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