906-214-2308
906-265-9100
40 E Adams St
Iron River, MI 49935
Iron County Hunting Seasons & Guides
Iron County • Michigan
The Iron County woods are open for something nearly all year. Bear and grouse open in September, ducks and deer carry you through the fall, hare and coyote run all winter, and the turkeys gobble again in the spring. Every season is on this page, with a full guide for each hunt.
SEPT. 9
Bear season opens in the Amasa unit
SEPT. 15
Grouse, woodcock and fall turkey open
NOV. 15
Firearm deer opener, running through Nov. 30
400,000+
Acres of public land you can hunt on foot
Pick Your Hunt
Iron County Hunting Guides
Every hunt here has its own season and its own kind of country. Pick yours, and the guide gives you the dates, where to go, the rules that matter and where to stay.
Oct. – Jan.
Deer Hunting
Archery opens in October, the firearm season fills November, and the U.P. muzzleloader weekend comes in December. The guide covers public land and access too.
Read the deer guide →
Sept. – Oct.
Bear Hunting
Iron County sits in the Amasa bear unit, with three hunt periods each fall. Licenses are issued by drawing.
Read the bear guide →
Sept. – Jan.
Grouse & Woodcock
Look for grouse in young aspen and alder bottoms. The Gold Mine walk-in grouse area north of Iron River is a good place to start.
Read the grouse guide →
Sept. – Dec.
Duck & Goose Hunting
Hunt the rivers, flowages and small wooded water. Iron County is in the U.P.’s North Zone.
Read the waterfowl guide →
Fall & Spring
Turkey Hunting
Turkeys give you two seasons here. Fall birds open in mid-September, and the spring gobbler season starts in mid-April.
Read the turkey guide →Stay In Iron County
Where to Stay for Hunting in Iron County
2026–27 Seasons
Iron County Hunting Seasons at a Glance
Iron County is Upper Peninsula country, which puts you in hunting Zone 1, the North waterfowl zone and the Amasa bear unit. The dates shift every year, so check the season calendar before your trip.
Deer
Archery Oct. 1 – Nov. 14 and Dec. 1 – Jan. 1
Firearm Nov. 15–30
Muzzleloader Dec. 4–6
Bear (Amasa unit)
Sept. 9 – Oct. 26, in three hunt periods
Licenses are issued by drawing
Ruffed Grouse & Woodcock
Grouse Sept. 15 – Nov. 14 and Dec. 1 – Jan. 1
Woodcock Sept. 15 – Oct. 29
Ducks & Geese (North Zone)
Ducks Sept. 26 – Nov. 22 and Nov. 28–29
Geese Sept. 1 – Dec. 16
Turkey
Fall Sept. 15 – Nov. 14
Spring mid-April through May
2027 spring dates are set early in 2027
Winter Small Game
Snowshoe hare and squirrel Sept. 15 – Mar. 31
Coyote Oct. 15 – Mar. 1
Wear hunter orange.
Deer and small game hunters wear it as the outer layer, visible
from all sides. There are a few exceptions, so check the rules
for your hunt. Ruffed grouse closes Nov. 15–30, while the
firearm deer season is on.
Before You Go
Public Land and Licenses
Public Land
More Than 400,000 Acres to Walk
Iron County is big forest country, and you can walk a great deal of it. State forest, the Ottawa National Forest and private forest land in Michigan's Commercial Forest Program are all open to hunting on foot. Map them on MiHunt before you come up, and see our Iron County hunting page for more on the area.
Explore MiHuntLicenses
Base License Plus Your Species
Every hunter in Michigan starts with a base license, then adds the license for the game you're after. Bear licenses are issued by drawing. If you're hunting ducks or geese, you'll need a federal duck stamp too.
Buy a LicenseQuestions
Hunting in Iron County: Common Questions
When is the best time to hunt in Iron County?
September through November is the heart of it. Bear, grouse, woodcock and fall turkey all open in September, and ducks follow late in the month. The firearm deer season runs Nov. 15–30.
Is there public land to hunt in Iron County?
Yes, more than 400,000 acres. State forest, the Ottawa National Forest and Commercial Forest land are open to hunting on foot, and MiHunt shows you the boundaries.
What license do I need to hunt in Michigan?
A base license, plus one for your species. Bear licenses are issued by drawing, and for ducks and geese you'll also need a federal duck stamp.
When does deer season open in the Upper Peninsula?
Archery opens Oct. 1. The firearm season runs Nov. 15–30, and the U.P. muzzleloader season is Dec. 4–6, 2026. Late archery picks up again Dec. 1 and runs to Jan. 1.
Where can I stay for a hunting trip in Iron County?
Stay in Iron River or Crystal Falls. Both have hotels, motels, cabins and resorts close to public land. If you're coming for the November firearm opener, book early.
Start Planning
Plan Your Iron County Hunting Trip
Pick your season and read the guide. Then book a warm room close to the woods, because opening morning comes early.
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Iron County is one of the Upper Peninsula’s best kept secrets. From camping to fishing, hunting to canoeing, mountain biking to forest bathing – no matter your interests, the great outdoors and clear crisp air await you here.