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Open all year (2026-27)

Pigeon, House Sparrow and Starling in Michigan: open all year

Feral pigeons, house (English) sparrows and European starlings are unprotected in Michigan: open all year, statewide, with no bag limit. 2026-27 unprotected bird dates, limits and public properties in Michigan.

Unprotected bird dates by unit Limits and licenses Public land

Year-roundSeason

0Dated rows

1Season rows

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Photo: bomme (CC BY-SA 2.0)

A base license covers them, and any legal method may be used. Starlings and house sparrows may also be taken without a license on private property when doing or about to do damage. All other nongame birds stay protected under WCO 9.3.

Year-roundSeason

No limitBag

BaseLicense

ProtectedOther nongame birds

Pigeon, House Sparrow and Starling at a glance

When and how: Year-round.
Bag in short: No limit.

DNR source page, checked October 22, 2026.

Every 2026-27 unprotected bird segment in Michigan

Feral pigeons, house sparrows and starlings can be taken any day of the year with the right license.

Segment	Zone or unit	Legal method	First day	Last day	Length	Status
Year-round	Statewide	Any legal method	No closing date			Year-round

What the DNR attaches to the unprotected bird dates

Unprotected; base license; no bag limit.

From the Michigan Department of Natural Resources 2026 regulation summary, checked October 22, 2026.

Michigan limits on feral pigeons, house sparrows and starlings

Unprotected bird bag and possession rules as printed, followed by the eLicense prices.

Pigeon, House Sparrow and Starling licenses and stamps

Purchase	Adult resident	Senior	Youth	Nonresident
Base license	$11	$5	$6	$151

Prices from the 2026 DNR fee tables. Waterfowl rows use the waterfowl summary age classes (16 and older).

DNR regulation summary and fee tables, DNR eLicense, checked October 22, 2026. Michigan hunting license guide.

Pigeon, House Sparrow and Starling field rules from the DNR

Reporting, hunting hours, hunter orange, bait and the other DNR rules that apply to feral pigeons, house sparrows and starlings.

Report and register

Feral pigeons, house sparrows and starlings are not on the DNR reporting or registration lists.

When to hunt

Legal light for feral pigeons, house sparrows and starlings is one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset, Zone A times plus the offset.

Hunter orange law

MCL 324.40116 requires hunter orange (or hunter pink) while taking feral pigeons, house sparrows and starlings by day from Aug. 15 to April 30.

Sunday rule

Seasons for feral pigeons, house sparrows and starlings include Sundays statewide, subject to posted township rules.

Pigeon, House Sparrow and Starling hunting times by zone

Date	What happens	Zone A hours	Zone B hours	Zone C hours	Zone D hours
Sep 15, 2026	mid-September	6:42 a.m. to 8:12 p.m.	6:48 a.m. to 8:18 p.m.	6:54 a.m. to 8:24 p.m.	7:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Oct 15, 2026	mid-October	7:15 a.m. to 7:24 p.m.	7:21 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.	7:27 a.m. to 7:36 p.m.	7:33 a.m. to 7:42 p.m.
Nov 15, 2026	mid-November	6:53 a.m. to 5:48 p.m.	6:59 a.m. to 5:54 p.m.	7:05 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.	7:11 a.m. to 6:06 p.m.
Dec 15, 2026	mid-December	7:24 a.m. to 5:41 p.m.	7:30 a.m. to 5:47 p.m.	7:36 a.m. to 5:53 p.m.	7:42 a.m. to 5:59 p.m.
Jan 15, 2027	mid-January	7:29 a.m. to 5:55 p.m.	7:35 a.m. to 6:01 p.m.	7:41 a.m. to 6:07 p.m.	7:47 a.m. to 6:13 p.m.
Feb 15, 2027	mid-February	6:59 a.m. to 6:34 p.m.	7:05 a.m. to 6:40 p.m.	7:11 a.m. to 6:46 p.m.	7:17 a.m. to 6:52 p.m.

Zone A is the east; Zone D, 18 minutes later, is the western Upper Peninsula. Central Time counties: minus one hour.

From the Michigan Department of Natural Resources 2026 regulation summaries: harvest reporting, MCL 324.40116 hunter orange, baiting, hunting hours tables, checked October 22, 2026. Hunting hours by zone · Michigan hunting laws.

Firearms, bows and loads for feral pigeons, house sparrows and starlings

Weapon rules change with the season, so match the row to the unprotected bird segment you hunt.

Season	Allowed	Not allowed
Pistol carry	CPL holders (or those exempt) may carry a loaded pistol while hunting; does not authorize taking game except as provided by law.	Carrying a firearm, bow or crossbow in areas frequented by wild animals without the required license (MCL 324.43510(1)).

Michigan method rules for feral pigeons, house sparrows and starlings

Safety zones

No hunting with a firearm within 150 yards (450 ft) of an occupied building, dwelling, cabin or farm building without written permission of the owner/occupant.

Trespass (Recreational Trespass Act)

Written or verbal permission required to hunt farmland, connected woodlots and fenced or posted property (MCL 324.73102); posting signs at least 50 sq. in. with 1-in. letters; may enter on foot without a firearm to retrieve a hunting dog unless told not to; no right to follow wounded game onto private land without permission. Owners may sue for $750 or actual damages (MCL 324.73109).

Michigan regulation summaries, the Wildlife Conservation Order and MCL part 401, checked October 22, 2026.

Pigeon, House Sparrow and Starling questions and answers

Which birds are unprotected in Michigan?

Feral pigeons, house sparrows and European starlings (WCO 9.1(1)).

Are blackbirds or doves unprotected?

No. Only those three species are; other nongame birds are protected under WCO 9.3.

Which licenses does a unprotected bird hunter carry?

Resident items for feral pigeons, house sparrows and starlings: Base license ($11).

Is unprotected bird hunting seasonal in Michigan?

Feral pigeons, house sparrows and starlings may be taken any day of the year.

Which days call for orange when hunting feral pigeons, house sparrows and starlings?