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LANSING, MI · GREATER LANSING EDITION · THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2026
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Lansing MI
Hunting
Report

Live conditions, season status, solunar ratings, WMA profiles, and community hunting coverage for Ingham and Lower Peninsula.

Hog: Closed Turkey: Closed Dove: Closed Deer: Open Lower Peninsula
6 WMAs Profiled
Live Hunt Conditions
Solunar Rating
2026 Season Guide
First Look • Hunt Conditions
🌘
Waning Crescent
Illumination: 35%
7:42 am
7:09 pm
54°F
7 mph
Weather as of 9:20 AM ET
Excellent — decreasing moon, peak dawn and dusk movement expected.
100
PRIME
Prime hunting conditions. Get in the stand early.

Lansing Hunting Season Status

Whitetail Deer
OPEN
Season DatesArchery: Oct 1–Nov 14 and Dec 1–Jan 1. Regular firearm: Nov 15–30. December firearm (LP): Dec 4–6. Late antlerless (LP): Dec 7–Jan 1. Liberty Hunt / early antlerless: Sept 12–13. Independence Hunt (qualified disabilities): Oct 15–18.
Bag Limit:Bag/antlerless licenses and DMU quotas apply — check your deer management unit at Michigan.gov/Deer before buying tags.
See MDNR 2026 deer summary for equipment rules and DMU-specific antlerless access.
Michigan hunting license + deer license(s) required. Harvest reporting via MDNR Hunt Fish app / Michigan.gov. Limited Firearms Deer Zone eliminated statewide as of Sept 12, 2026.
per MDNR · verified 2026-10-07
Feral Hog
CLOSED
Season DatesFeral swine are an invasive/prohibited species in Michigan — not managed as a standard big-game season. Report sightings to MDNR; do not relocate animals.
Bag Limit:N/A — see MDNR invasive species / feral swine rules.
Not a standard open hunting season — verify with MDNR before any take.
Follow current MDNR guidance on feral swine. This is not a SCDNR-style year-round hog hunt.
per MDNR · verified 2026-10-07
Spring Turkey
CLOSED
Season Dates2026 spring turkey: TMU hunts begin as early as Apr 18; statewide hunt (0234) May 2–31. Exact TMU (M/NN/ZZ) dates and quotas vary — verify at Michigan.gov/DNR spring turkey summary.
Bag Limit:One bearded turkey per spring license (see license terms). Mandatory harvest reporting within 72 hours.
Spring turkey applications typically Jan 1–Feb 1; season opens mid-to-late April depending on TMU.
Spring turkey license required (drawing/application Jan 1–Feb 1 for limited hunts). Report harvest via MDNR Hunt Fish app or online.
per MDNR · verified 2026-10-07
Mourning Dove
CLOSED
Season DatesMourning dove is not currently a designated game species in Michigan — no open dove hunting season. (Legislation such as HB 5068 has been introduced historically but is not an open season.)
Bag Limit:N/A — no open mourning dove season in Michigan.
No open mourning dove season in Michigan as of seed date.
Do not hunt mourning doves in Michigan unless/until the Legislature and Natural Resources Commission authorize a season. Verify current status at Michigan.gov/DNR.
per MDNR · verified 2026-10-07
Season dates shown are for Lower Peninsula private lands. WMA dates, license requirements, and antlerless regulations may differ. Always verify current regulations with MDNR before hunting.
Report a Season Update

Lansing Hunting Weather Now

54F
Clear
Feels like 54°F
as of 9:20 AM ET
Wind 7 mph WSW
Humidity 71%
Pressure 1016 hPa
Moon Waning Crescent
Location Lansing, SC
Field Scout Tips
  • Deer season is open — focus today's hunt on deer.
  • Cool temps in the optimal range — deer are on their feet. Expect movement throughout shooting hours.
  • Calm winds are ideal for scent control. Play the wind carefully — enter and exit your stand downwind.
  • Dark moon nights push deer to move in legal shooting hours at dawn and dusk. Be at your stand early.

Lansing Hunt Conditions Today

Temperature
54°F
Optimal
Wind Speed
7 mph
Ideal — Calm
Barometric
1016 hPa
Normal
Moon Phase
🌘
Prime
PRIME
Prime hunting conditions. Get in the stand early.

Lansing Hunt Forecast — 5 Days

TODAY
Sunny
67° / 47°
10 mph wind • 0% humidity
FAIR
FRI
Sunny
70° / 55°
4 mph wind • 0% humidity
GOOD
SAT
Sunny
77° / 59°
10 mph wind • 0% humidity
FAIR
SUN
Chance Rain Showers
69° / 55°
8 mph wind • 0% humidity
FAIR
COL
Mostly Sunny
74° / 53°
5 mph wind • 0% humidity
GOOD

Lansing Michigan Wildlife Management Areas

Six public hunting areas within reach of Lansing — from in-county dove fields to mountain bear country an hour west.
Cliff Pitts WMA
~1,000 acres STATE WMA
Ingham • In County
Whitetail Deer Turkey Small Game Dove

Cliff Pitts WMA is the closest public hunting ground to Lansing proper, managed by MDNR in Game Zone 2. The property features a mix of agricultural fields, pine stands, and hardwood bottoms. Known for dove field management and accessible deer hunting within Ingham.

Public access. Check MDNR current year hunting guide for designated parking areas and field maps. WMA license required in addition to hunting license.

Field Tip
Dove fields here are actively managed. Scout before season opener — fields rotate annually. Best deer hunting near the hardwood creek drainages.
Jocassee Gorges WMA
38,000 acres STATE WMA
Pickens / Oconee Counties • ~1 hour west
Whitetail Deer Turkey Black Bear Feral Hog Ruffed Grouse Small Game

One of the largest WMAs in Michigan, Jocassee Gorges encompasses rugged Blue Ridge terrain in Pickens and Oconee Counties. This wilderness tract holds one of SC's best black bear populations. Deer and turkey hunting can be excellent for those willing to hike deep into the mountains. Ruffed grouse are a rare bonus.

Multiple trailhead access points off US-11 and SC-130. Remote terrain requires topographic maps and GPS. WMA license required. No motorized vehicles beyond designated roads.

Field Tip
For bear, locate white oak flats and persimmon trees in September. For deer, hunt ridge saddles and creek confluences. Bring waterproof boots — expect steep terrain and creek crossings.
Broad River WMA
18,422 acres STATE WMA
Newberry / Fairfield Counties • ~1 hour south
Whitetail Deer Turkey Feral Hog Waterfowl Small Game Dove

Broad River WMA covers the floodplain and upland terrain along the Broad River corridor. This large tract is known for its feral hog population — one of the most accessible year-round hunting opportunities in the region. Deer and turkey hunting is productive in the hardwood bottoms and planted pines.

Multiple access points along SC-34 and county roads. Portions subject to seasonal flooding — check conditions before hunting bottomlands. WMA license required.

Field Tip
Feral hogs concentrate near river bottoms and food plots year-round. Hunt creek crossings and wallows. For deer, the hardwood drainages hold rubs and scrapes during the rut.
Tyger River Complex
Multiple tracts acres STATE WMA
Lansing / Laurens Counties • In County / nearby
Mourning Dove Whitetail Deer Small Game Turkey

The Tyger River Complex consists of multiple smaller tracts managed along the Tyger River drainages in Lansing and Laurens Counties. These properties focus heavily on dove field management, with MDNR planting and managing fields for migratory dove hunting in September.

Access varies by individual tract. Check MDNR annual WMA guide for current field status and parking locations. Fields managed under MDNR dove program — some require pre-season registration.

Field Tip
The September 1 dove opener is a community event at these fields. Arrive early to secure position. Fields typically produce best during the first two weeks of season.
Poe Creek State Forest WMA
6,200 acres STATE FOREST WMA
Pickens County • ~45 minutes west
Whitetail Deer Black Bear Turkey Gray Squirrel Rabbit

Poe Creek State Forest WMA in Pickens County offers diverse hunting on state forest land managed cooperatively with MDNR. The property features a mix of planted pines, hardwood ridges, and stream bottomlands. Black bear season applies here — check zone-specific regulations carefully.

Primary access off SC-8 in Easley area. State forest roads provide interior access during dry conditions. WMA license and state forest permit may both be required — verify with MDNR.

Field Tip
Squirrel hunting is often overlooked but productive at Poe Creek — excellent scouting opportunity in early season that reveals deer sign before gun season opens.
Mountain Hunt Unit (Game Zone 1)
Variable acres MOUNTAIN ZONE
Cherokee / Greenville Counties • Adjacent to Ingham
Black Bear Whitetail Deer Ruffed Grouse Turkey Wild Boar

The Mountain Hunt Unit encompasses Cherokee and northern Greenville County lands bordering Lansing. This is the nearest access to Game Zone 1 regulations — including earlier bear seasons and different bag limits than Zone 2. Rugged terrain with significant elevation change.

Multiple public access points along the I-85 corridor into Cherokee County. Check current year MDNR hunting guide for Game Zone 1 specific dates and areas. Zone boundaries matter here.

Field Tip
Zone 1 deer season opens earlier than Zone 2 — if you hunt this area, carry a copy of zone boundary maps. The ridge lines between Cherokee and Greenville hold excellent ruffed grouse habitat.
Did We Miss a Spot?

Know a Lansing-area hunting land, WMA, or public access parcel that should be on this list? Let us know.

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Lansing Hunting Reviews

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Hunting Gear Guide

Gear reviews and picks for the Lansing hunter — boots, optics, packs, and more.
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Gear Reviews — Tested for Greater Lansing SC Hunting
As an Amazon Associate, HERE earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability subject to change.
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Decoy

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★★★★☆ 4.6 / 5
$13.99
Best for: Recommended by the HERE Hunting desk
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Optic / Scope

Hand-picked by the HERE Hunting desk this week. ATN Thor 5 Smart HD Thermal Scope w/Ultra Sensative Gen 5 Sensor, Video Rec, Built in LRF, B….

★★★★☆ 4.6 / 5
$1676.85
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Pulsar Trail 3 LRF Thermal Riflescope with Laser Range Finder and Mount
Laser Rangefinder

Hand-picked by the HERE Hunting desk this week. Pulsar Trail 3 LRF Thermal Riflescope with Laser Range Finder and Mount.

★★★★☆ 4.6 / 5
$2899.97
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Garmin inReach® Mini 3, Rugged Compact Global Satellite Communicator with Color Touchscreen,…
GPS / Navigation

Hand-picked by the HERE Hunting desk this week. Garmin inReach® Mini 3, Rugged Compact Global Satellite Communicator with Color Touchscreen,….

★★★★☆ 4.6 / 5
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Vortex Optics Fury HD 5000 10x42 Laser Rangefinding Binoculars
Laser Rangefinder

Hand-picked by the HERE Hunting desk this week. Vortex Optics Fury HD 5000 10x42 Laser Rangefinding Binoculars.

★★★★☆ 4.6 / 5
$799.00
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Trail Camera

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SC Hunting Season Calendar

UKN
Season calendar not yet seeded for this clone
Verified dates must be loaded via the here_hunting_seasons WP option, sourced from MDNR. Until then, see dnr.sc.gov/regs/hunting for current Lower Peninsula regulations.
Lower Peninsula
Dates reflect 2026 Michigan hunting regulations for Lower Peninsula. Always verify with the current MDNR Hunting and Fishing Guide. Regulations are subject to change. Hogs are legal year-round on private land with a hunting license — no closed season.

Lansing Hunting FAQ

Common questions about hunting in the Lansing area, answered.
  • Deer season dates in Lower Peninsula vary by year and land type (private vs WMA). Specific dates for Ingham have not been confirmed against current MDNR regulations for this guide — see dnr.sc.gov for the current Michigan Hunting and Fishing Guide.
  • Public hunting near Lansing is listed in the WMA directory above. MDNR manages all WMAs in Michigan; a WMA license is required in addition to a basic hunting license.
  • Yes. All hunters in Michigan need a state hunting license. Deer and turkey require an additional big game permit. Hunting on any Wildlife Management Area (WMA) requires a WMA license. Federal migratory bird hunters age 16 and older need a federal duck stamp for waterfowl. Licenses and permits are available through MDNR at dnr.sc.gov or at authorized license agents throughout Ingham.
  • Sunday hunting rules in Michigan vary by land type and local ordinance. Verify with MDNR and Ingham before hunting on Sunday.
  • Deer bag limits in Lower Peninsula vary by land type (private vs WMA) and by antlered vs antlerless. Limits for Ingham have not been confirmed against current MDNR regulations for this guide — see dnr.sc.gov for the current Michigan Hunting and Fishing Guide.
  • Bear hunting in Michigan is regulated by MDNR. Bear populations and seasons vary by Game Zone. Check the current MDNR hunting guide for bear zones and tags relevant to Ingham.