Michigan NRC Approved Changes May 2026 With Approx. Vote Totals
I've heard a lot of crazy stuff about the meeting yesterday so here are my notes from the Youtube of the voting.
Bottom Line: 2026 tags stay the same. 2027 UP stays the same, LP 1 Buck (BUT they are considering Earn A Buck for 2027 LP to be voted on later).
Rescinded/Not Happening: No quiet period changes, No Muzzleloader Changes.
All voting totals by ear, might be off.
Vote 1: In favor of Science Resolution (Approved, No Opposition). They're commissioning a multi-year study on how we should do tags. To be reported to the NRC on an ongoing basis.
Vote 2: Senior Deer License Crossbow allowed in UP in late season in 2026 (Approved, 2 No).
Vote 3: (The Big One)
UP 2027 maintain current Deer License Structure. 3PT APR Regular, 4PT APR on Combo. UP 2027 Single License no APR. LP 2027 Single deer NO APR, shoot a buck/spike/doe. Combo License: 1 Buck (no APR) and 1 Doe. AND to PRESENT an earn a buck program next month. (Approved 5 Yes, 2 no)
SUMMARY OF THE BIG ONE: 2026: No change. 2027: UP stays the say with the old license structure. LP gets 1 buck (or a doe, and buck can be a spike) and 1 doe on the combo. Earn a Buck 2027 NOT implemented, but they requested a proposed rule on Earn a Buck for 2027 to be presented next month to allow appropriate notice and comment time before it is voted on.
Vote 4: 2026 DMU 351/352 deleted. (Approved 6 Yes, 1 no)
Vote 5: 2026 No Rifle Line (Approved 6 Yes, 1 No) (there was some confusion on this and here is the timestamp showing the proposed amendment to be for the 2026 season) https://www.youtube.com/live/2hai5cB-REg?t=33021&si=JsRI_NAmxLwQfFGa Vote 6: Vote to Delete all Jan hunting seasons (Approved 4 Yes, 3 No)
Vote 7: Vote to Create DMU doe tags in the UP and County Doe Tags in LP (Approved, No Opposition)