Hunters are asked to follow all regulations from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to hunt safely and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
- Meet together outside whenever possible.
- If gathering indoors, include no more than two households and not more than 10 people.
- If you feel sick, stay home.
- Do your best to:
- Wear a mask at all times within six feet of others, except for when eating or drinking.
- Maintain six feet of distance between yourself and others.
- Keep voices down – shouting spreads viruses more than speaking softly.
- Wash hands frequently or use 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Cover coughs and sneezes and dispose of the tissue immediately.
Going to deer camp? Plan before you go:
- The less time spent with people from other households, the less likely you are to get sick or spread the virus to others. Try to lodge in your own room, tent or trailer, and limit the number of households using shared spaces.
- Bring supplies that help prevent the spread of viruses including masks, soap, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, thermometers, and tissues.
- Sanitize frequently-touched surfaces often, especially in shared spaces. (Doorknobs, counters, remotes, etc.)
- Avoid buffet-style meals and sharing cooking utensils. If preparing food for others, wear a mask, and wash your hands thoroughly while preparing and serving meals.
- If hunting with a guide or lodging service, call ahead and learn about protocols they have implemented to protect your health.
- Many restaurants and stores have reduced hours due to COVID-19. Pack your own meals or familiarize yourself with the local amenities before going.
- Follow MDHHS guidance regarding safe holiday travel.
- Minimize the number of people traveling in a single vehicle to and from hunting sites.
- Whenever possible, only share a vehicle with members of your household.
Have a plan for hunters who become sick during or after hunting camp.
- If someone becomes ill during the trip, they should immediately isolate from others and seek testing for COVID-19.
- Those who had been in close contact (15 minutes of exposure in 24 hours) will be required to quarantine for 14 days after their last exposure to the person who is sick.
- Names and contact information for everyone on the trip should be easily accessible in case someone becomes ill after the trip. This will help the health department notify persons who have been exposed so they can take action to protect their health and the health of others.
When visiting DNR Deer Check stations, follow the safety protocols:
- Hunters are required to wear masks and follow social distancing guidelines, staying six feet away from other people, at DNR deer check stations.
- At many check stations, hunters will be required to stay in their vehicle while their deer is checked.
- This fall, hunters bringing deer in for disease testing are asked to bring only deer heads to check stations, removing them ahead of time, if possible. Those who would like to keep the antlers are asked to please remove those from the head but bring the antlers so that antler measurements can be taken. Also, if submitting a deer head for testing, be ready to give DNR staff the location where your deer was harvested including the county, township, range and section.
- Check hours of operation for deer check stations before you go. Locations, days and hours of operations have been reduced for 2021.
For the latest information, please see the following resources:
- Information about COVID-19 in Michigan – Michigan.gov/Coronavirus or call 888-535-6136
- Information about deer check stations, including a map of locations – Michigan.gov/Deer
- Information about hunting safely in Michigan – Michigan.gov/Hunting and select “Safety Information”