With Michigan's whitetail deer season archery opener happening on October 1, 2026, expect more preparation and more traffic on state land and on the other side of your fence. The 2026 season may be the last season for many Lower Peninsula hunters to take more than one antlered deer, as 2027 marks the beginning of Michigan's new "One Buck Rule." winter and the effect it may have on the 2026 deer harvest. Get our free mobile appThe 2026 season will also bring some changes. With the countdown officially on to the 2026 Michigan whitetail deer season, here's a look at last year's harvest, broken down county by county, to help you figure out where your trail cam needs to be this year.