I was just curious as to when the law changed to allow Mich. deer hunters to use tree stands to hunt from, I know way back in the day they were legal then they weren't and legal again. Any one know of a web site to check out these old laws on hunting? Like from the early 1900's

1859 - Michigan law closes season on deer, turkey, woodcock and partridge during breeding periods. The fine for violation was $5. A series of laws extending protection to other animals and fish followed over the next several years.

1881 Commercialization or the selling of game for profit was illegal

1887 - Michigan becomes first state to appoint a paid State Game Warden, William Alden Smith. By 1922 there would be 180 full-time game wardens working for the state. Deer season was from Nov 1 thru Dec 1, in the U.P. it was from the first days in Oct. thru Nov 15. You could not take a deer in a red coat or a deer with a spotted coat. Fine for an illegal deer was $5 and 30 days until the fine was paid.

1895 - Michigan requires the purchase of a license ($0.50) to hunt deer with a firearm.

1923 - Game Fund and Anglers Fund are merged (P.A. 110), creating the Game and Fish Fund.

1929 - Game Law is passed (P.A. 286) regulating a number of activities related to collection and possession of wild animals.

1979 - Firearm Deer License was $7.50 and you could shoot a bear in the U.P. on you deer license providing the season for bear was open. 12 Counties in Michigan were closed to Sunday hunting.

1980 - Deer License was $8.25. You could not shoot a bear with a deer license.

1981 - Deer License was $9.75, Camp Deer License was $15.

1984 - Could not shine between 11 pm and 6 am. Extended deer season in Menominee County in attempt to reduce herd size.

1985 - Bear baiting rules start. Bear season closed in U.P. during firearm deer season. More extended seasons in certain areas to reduce deer herd.

1986 - A person may purchase a second deer license, second bow license not valid in the U.P., Camp Deer Permit no longer exists. Bear hunting opens back up in the U.P. during firearm deer season providing you have a bear license. Handguns were made legal to hunt with in the shotgun zone. No single shot handguns. Penalties are increase for poaching violations, example $1,000 restitution for deer, etc.

1987 - Deer License was $12.85. Can not shine during the month of November.

1988 - Anyone born after Jan 1, 1960 must have hunter safety course.

1989 - Lifetime Licenses sold, one year only.

1990 - Second Bow License valid statewide. Guns must be enclosed in a case, broken down is no longer legal to transport.

1991 - Could only take a maximum of two bucks during bow and gun seasons combined.

1994 - Written permission on private property no longer required. Back tags no longer required.

1995 - Deer License was $13.85. The second bow license could be used for anterless deer in the DMU’s that antlerless deer were allowed in the U.P. Went to the current passbook system for licenses.

1996 - Ground blind regulations go into effect. Don’t need a permit to possess game 60 days after the close of the season anymore. Some Counties are changing their No Sunday Hunting Laws.

1998 - Second bow and firearm license done away with, new combination license takes place. Deer license cost go down to the current $13.00. Baiting and Feeding deer regulations start. TB problems in NE portion of state require more action that has been done in past to have a healthy herd, early season, late season and unlimited antlerless permits in different parts of state to reduce overall population of herd.


1952 Deer Season

The amazing thing about the Michigan deer herd is its enormous resiliency, fertility and capacity for growth. We have hunted this herd steadily and fairly hard throughout this century, yet it keeps coming back stronger than ever.
Such facts were perhaps no more in question than in 1952 when, following 20 years of controversy, Michigan liberalized its deer hunting regulations. The rapid growth of the deer herd in the 1930s resulted in a diminishing amount of available winter food per deer, which caused widespread starvation. Deeryards became death traps. Lowered fawn production and small antler size demonstrated the need for an increased annual harvest.
So, for the first time in modern state history, hunters were allowed to take any deer they saw in the northern Lower Peninsula during the last three days of the season. Until then, they had been restricted to taking only antlered bucks; any thought of shooting "those beautiful spotted fawns and the big brown-eyed does" was frowned upon. In fact, it simply was not done.
But that fall a total of 162,000 bucks, does and fawns (including 95,810 antlerless deer) were taken--nearly three times the normal fall total. That was such a shocking total it was clear to nearly everyone that our herd had been wiped out. Absolutely wiped out.
It touched off one of the loudest, longest, hottest controversies in the history of hunting in our state. An avalanche of angry letters poured into the Conservation Department, some with bricks attached, some literally signed in blood. Newspaper editorials statewide added to the prevailing mood of public outrage.
Despite the accusations and abuse sounded against them, the Conservation Commission and the department stood their ground; convinced that management of a deer herd or any other natural resource cannot be based on anything but the best scientific research available, no matter how deep the sentiment or how heated the emotion of opposing forces.
Then somewhere in Michigan in the fall of 1962, a hunter pulled a trigger or a bow string to drop the one-millionth whitetail taken since the opening of the 1952 deer season. That animal, with or without antlers, symbolized a decade in game management the like of which may never be experienced again. It was at once a refutation of the argument of those who 10 years earlier said the last days of Michigan deer hunting were at hand, and a vindication of the commission and department whose determination to perpetuate deer hunting faced a most difficult test.
Today, of course, we know that our deer herd is healthy, and that it lives on a much better managed range. As a result, Michigan continues to lead the nation in the number of days of deer hunting recreation.