Changing colors signal hunting season in the Blue Water Area

Gold and crimson brush the leaves in St. Clair County, signaling that deer hunting is approaching.

Deer is just one of the many hunted game species in the county, including turkey, waterfowl, and rabbits. Hunting is available year-round, depending on what is being shot.

Over 450,000 people purchased hunting licenses in 2023 according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) with 804 sold in St. Clair County and over 1343 in Sanilac County in 2022. John Darling, a wildlife technician, and Harsens Island MWHA manager for the DNR, and Scott Wing, a board member and treasurer of Four Square Sportsman Club are preparing for the upcoming season.
John Darling, Wildlife Technician with the MDNR.
“I expect hunting participation will be pretty normal this season. I wouldn’t be surprised if deer and waterfowl hunting participation was a little low to start the season if these warm temperatures persist, but numbers will pick up as the weather improves,” Darling says.

The whitetail deer season has been extended in many counties due to higher populations including St. Clair County from Sept. 21, 2024, through Jan. 1, 2025, depending on the weapon used and whether the hunter seeks antlers or antlerless. Discounted antlerless tags are available through the DNR for $5 and are good for January 2-12.

There are over two million deer in Michigan, with higher concentrations in northern St. Clair County which impacts agricultural farms with crop loss.

“Southern St. Clair County generally has a sustainable and stable number of deer. But north of I-69, deer numbers are generally much higher, especially as you get into the more agricultural areas around Emmett, Greenwood, and Yale. I recommend hunters try to take a doe or two for meat and to help control these high deer numbers, particularly in the northern half of the county,” Darling says.

White-tail deer are not the only popular game species. Interest in waterfowl is growing within Michigan. “We continue to see more interest in waterfowl hunting each year, especially at our managed waterfowl hunting unit on Harsens Island. This unit has very user-friendly access and access is regulated, so it’s oftentimes an easier and safer feeling spot to go for newer hunters,” Darling says.

To hunt in Michigan, a hunting license is necessary. Before being issued the license, the hunter is required to complete an approved hunter education course. The DNR offers many classes in a variety of formats, including online. If an online course is completed, the new hunter is still required to complete an in-person field day with a certified volunteer instructor or a Michigan conservation officer.

Non-residents can also purchase a Michigan hunting license with a valid hunter education safety certificate from another state. 

Port Huron State Game Area.

To increase the chances of a successful hunt, Four Square Sportsman Club offers a variety of ways to sharpen weaponry skills. The club was established in 1958 and has over 250 members. Most hunt whitetail deer, waterfowl, turkey, and rabbits. The club has areas to practice archery, rifle, pistol, and shotgun and is open to the public.

Wing says he's seen an increase in the club’s membership over the past couple of years, with the highest growth being youth. “Our club offers the Scholastic Clay Target Program or SCTP which gives young people a chance to learn how to shoot.” He also emphasized the club adheres to its mission statement, “To obtain respect for and compliance with fish and game laws of the state.”

Darling stressed that if anyone had any questions about hunting, they could reach out to him at darlingj@michigan.gov or to Kaitlyn Barnes the wildlife biologist for St. Clair and Macomb Counties at Barnesk10@michigan.gov.

“It is the mission and passion of the DNR to maintain and manage our natural resources of the state”, Darling says. “The Wildlife Division, which I work for, is tasked with managing our wildlife resources and wild lands and how people interact with them. We love seeing healthy, thriving populations of wildlife and people enjoying them whether that be through hunting, trapping, bird watching or just casual enjoyment. Our local biologist and I are always available via email to help with questions or concerns, especially those pertaining to St. Clair and Macomb counties.”