Michigan’s Liberty Hunt, a firearm deer hunt on private or public lands for youth and hunters with disabilities, returns statewide Sept. 12-13.
Those 16 or younger and eligible hunters with disabilities can join the hunt. A list of qualifying criteria is available in the 2020 Hunting Digest or online.
In 2020, the weekend is open to hunters who are deaf or hard of hearing, a Liberty Hunt qualification that was added at the request of the DNR Accessibility Advisory Council.
“People with disabilities can experience difficulties with mobility, climbing into a tree stand, sighting in game, hearing game approaching or holding a firearm,” said Hannah Schauer, Wildlife Division education and communications coordinator. “The Liberty Hunt provides opportunities for veterans and others to get outdoors and try a new sport or continue to enjoy one they love.”
Some locations offer track chairs, elevated hunting blinds or hunting blinds equipped with adaptive gear. Valid licenses for this hunt include a deer, deer combo or antlerless deer license or a deer management assistance permit. Antler point restrictions do not apply. This hunt’s bag limit is one deer.
For those participating in the Liberty Hunt: Hunters with disabilities may bait now through Sept. 13; in areas of the Upper Peninsula where baiting is legal, youth hunters also may bait now through Sept. 13; in the remainder of the state, youth hunters may not use bait.
Additional regulations for all seasons can be found in the 2020 Hunting Digest or at online.