LANSING, MI (WTVB) – Following a marathon nine-hour meeting on Wednesday, the Michigan Natural Resources Commission (NRC) officially approved the highly anticipated and fiercely debated “one buck rule” for the state’s Lower Peninsula, limiting hunters to harvesting just one antlered deer per season starting in 2027.
The policy shifts the annual bag limit down from two bucks to one in an effort to incentivize the harvesting of antlerless deer, curb the region’s booming deer overpopulation, and improve natural buck-to-doe ratios.
Under the new structure, a single deer license will be restricted to a buck with at least three antler points on one side or an antlerless deer, while combination licenses will feature one unrestricted buck tag alongside an antlerless-only tag. Notably, the commission amended the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) staff’s original proposal by completely excluding the Upper Peninsula, where the deer population faces separate predatory and environmental pressures, allowing hunters there to maintain their traditional two-buck limit.
Proponents argue that the restriction will allow younger bucks to mature into quality trophy deer and reduce vehicle collisions and crop damage caused by overpopulated herds. However, critics voiced concerns that a “one and done” restriction could depress overall hunter participation and decrease the economic impact of the sport.
To address these concerns, the commission approved an accompanying pilot “earn a second buck” program for select southern counties, which will track whether allowing a second buck tag after harvesting an antlerless deer effectively manages the herd.
The rule package passed on Wednesday also introduced immediate changes for the upcoming fall seasons, including the elimination of the southern Limited Firearms Deer Zone to allow high-powered rifles, and a mandate that all statewide deer hunting fully conclude by January 1st.
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