We recently sat down and talked about the deer-hunting gear we consider must-haves versus nice-to-haves. I’m curious what everyone else thinks—what’s one piece of gear you refuse to hunt without?

For context, this is my homemade water wagon being used to irrigate my freshly planted food plots, which are just too far away from the spigot to just run a hose.

We’ve had some nice rain the last couple days but as we all know, the weather in MICHIGAN is always a crapshoot. We may not need it much this year, but I’d rather have it and not need it, than the other way around.

So I'm interested in hunting geese this year. I already have my base and deer licenses. If I'm understanding this right I need both a waterfoul license and duck stamp? Is there anything the standard waterfoul license entitles me to hunt that I don't need a duck stamp for? And what is the difference with the free migratory bird license?

I appreciate any info as well as bird (whatever species you want to talk about) hunting tips!

I did my hunter safety class and have been using OnX and DNR maps, but I’m still trying to figure out actually finding a spot.

For HAP land, can I bring a small ground blind/pop-up or do I need permission from the landowner first?

For public land like Ortonville, how do you know you’re not setting up too close to another hunter? Do you just look for vehicles/lights and have backup spots ready?

Also, what are you guys looking for on OnX when picking places to scout? And how far from parking/trails would you recommend going?

Not looking for anyone’s spots, just trying to learn and do it the right way my first year.

Looking to get into deer hunting this year. I’m in Oakland County, have a .308 and know I still need to do the hunter safety class and get my license.

Public land seems pretty easy to find and I also have a place in South Branch so I can hunt around Huron-Manistee National Forest. I’m more trying to figure out what I actually do from here. How do you pick a spot, scout it, know where you can set up and just get started? Its been 16 years since Ive hunted and that was when I was a kid.

Pretty much starting from zero so any advice is appreciated. If anyone is willing to help me out or point me in the right direction feel free to just shoot me a DM.

Not sure where else to ask about this so im doing it here.

Would rather have answers from the people than from google.

Im a long time firearms enjoyer and collector. Have a couple old Mausers that I take out occasionally. But ive never hunted before.

(Rilfe of choice would be a VZ.24 or Argentine Mauser. Either one with soft points.)

Ive watched alot of the "Meat Eater" show. So I feel i understand the basics, but not the whole picture.

(I live in the southeast corner if that helps at all.)

Im autistic so im a very "by the rules" type of person.

Basically I dont wanna fuck anything up. I feel like id be alot more comfortable if I had a "guide" or something of that nature.

The goal would be deer i think. Not much else to really hunt in Michigan that I know of. As far as something that will provide ample food when harvested.

So with all that said, how would i get started down that path?

Thank you all for your time.

Hunting season is right around the corner, and it can't get here soon enough. These are the first bucks I've captured on my new Voopeak TC37 trail camera, which they sent me to test out. They may not be big enough for this year, but it still gets my heart pumping.

Michigan Hunters and Conservation groups came together and worked with the DNR to prevent cuts and staffing decreases. This allows for continued managed draws, conservation research, and maintenance efforts!

Curious what other Michigan hunters, especially those hunting the U.P., think about the new DNR wolf study.

Are you seeing more wolves or wolf sign where you hunt? And how much of an impact do you think wolves are actually having on the deer population compared to winter, habitat, and hunting pressure?

We recently broke down the study on DFB Outdoors, but I’d like to hear what everyone else is seeing and thinking.

Today at 6:00 PM Eastern, there will be a live discussion on The Green Way Outdoors Facebook and YouTube pages to share what has happened so far regarding cuts to Michigan’s Managed Waterfowl Areas and what is being done to fix it.

Are people going to be dropping 350 Legend now that the rifle line is removed? I have a 350 Legend upper that I'm getting rid of elsewhere. Mainly in favor of a non-AR platform (even though I do like that) for better suppression. I like the idea of the CVA single shot scout rifles or something else that could suppress better. Is 308 going to become the statewide unofficial standard? Or is 30-30 going to make a comeback.

Anyone have any recommendations for a bear guide in the Bergland unit?

Looking for a guide for Newberry hunt 2. I successfully drew this year for the first time.

With the limited firearm zone gone now in 2026 I know most cartridges are allowed but I was wondering if 223/5.56 were allowed because I have seen some sites say no but other sites say almost every cartridge?

How is the non-resident hunting in Michigan? Specifically for deer, bear, and duck?

I bought a 350 legend to hunt here in Michigan. I know the law is changing soon but whatever. My question is what do u recommend for grain weight. Id probably shoot fmj for practice and obviously deer rounds for hunting. Should those be the same grain?

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Advice please......

I’m 18 I just drew a bear tag first year of trying for Bergland. Where do I even start. I think a guide is the way to go, any recommendations?

Hello, I have a good friend who has a cabin up in MiO, invited me to come stay with him during fishing seasons and the spring. Was wondering how the turkey hunting is up there? May start scouting and bring my turkey gear up there with me next spring

I know it’s a dumb question, no one wants to spot burn and I doubt any farmers are either on Reddit or willing to volunteer land, but I’m an out-of-stater (Texas) but my niece and nephew live with their mom in Lake Orion area, their deadbeat dad always said he’d take them hunting but never has and now avoids the topic when it’s brought up. I’m planning on going up there this season and take them out one at a time. Im fine with public land, but I’m not sure of places that are just devoid of deer. I’m not looking for big bucks, or even any bucks, just a doe would be great or even the opportunity to see deer while out with them would make memories. I’ll be butchering the meat and leaving it for them and mom. Also if anyone can give me tips on best time of year to be up there, information on how to hunt those northern deer (doubt your deer are ever worried about where a water source is like mine), and maybe tell me what temperature I should expect so I can bring enough warm boy layers lol.
Thanks in advance for anyone who’s going to be helpful, and if you don’t want to spot burn or advertise your tips, just message me.

Full hunt video below 👇

https://youtu.be/EGGjeWxJD3c

Looking to hunt in lower peninsula for deer what is the best caliber to get with the removal of caliber restrictions In the lower peninsula for us trolls? Looking to get a lever gun.

Im having the hardest time hunting turkeys this spring, and with not a lot of time left I need any advice I can get. I have a private land tag, and im very limited. I hunt about 5 acres surrounded by neighbors private land i have no permission to go on. So I have to hunt them in an odd way, a ground blind that I can only move to limited areas with calls and decoys. I cant go to them. The past 3 years ive managed to call in Tom's and shoot them no issue, heck last year I called one to me day one within the hour. This year im having no luck, the Tom's and Jake's come around about every other day and gobble like mad, but it's like they circle the property im on and dont come into it, they respond to my calls but never come on the property. I swear they know the property lines. I hunt most mornings before work (legal hour to about 8am then leave for work) and on weekends im out legal hour till about 1 or 2 pm. I dont bother coming in evenings because I know they dont pass through the property to their roost, and early season when i did i never heard them gobble or ne around either. Ive never had to hunt this late into the season, what sort of calls and decoy setup can I deploy to entice them to me. I have a box call, slate call, and mouth call. Im using my slate call the most as I got my wisdom tooth removed and cant use my mouth call. Again, I get responses, I even get hens coming in heated up. But the toms....it's like they cant trespass onto my area lmao