Home › Michigan › Species › American Coot
Ducks, geese, woodcock and marsh birds (2026-27)
American Coot Hunting in Michigan, 2026-27
Coots have no dates of their own: they are open with the regular duck splits in the zone being hunted, so the table below shows the North, Middle and South Zone duck dates. 2026-27 coot dates, limits and public properties in Michigan.
Photo: judithjackson957 (CC BY 2.0)
The daily bag is 15 coots and the possession limit 45, separate from the six-duck bag. Coot hunters need the base license and waterfowl license with HIP, plus the federal stamp from age 16, as for ducks. Lead-free shot and the three-shell shotgun limit apply.
Coot rules in one list
- When and how: With duck seasons.
- Bag in short: 15/day, 45 possession.
DNR source page, checked October 22, 2026.
GearHeading out for a hunt? Hunting gear checklists by season →
Every 2026-27 coot segment in Michigan
From the first coot opener to the last close there are 6 segments; the dashed line marks today.
| Segment | Zone or unit | Legal method | First day | Last day | Length | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular (split 1) | North Zone | Shotgun 10 gauge or smaller (3-shell capacity), lead-free shot, bow, crossbow, falconry | Sep 26, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | 58 | |
| Regular (split 1) | Middle Zone | Shotgun 10 gauge or smaller (3-shell capacity), lead-free shot, bow, crossbow, falconry | Oct 3, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | 58 | |
| Regular (split 1) | South Zone | Shotgun 10 gauge or smaller (3-shell capacity), lead-free shot, bow, crossbow, falconry | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | 58 | |
| Regular (split 2) | North Zone | Shotgun 10 gauge or smaller (3-shell capacity), lead-free shot, bow, crossbow, falconry | Nov 28, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | 2 | |
| Regular (split 2) | Middle Zone | Shotgun 10 gauge or smaller (3-shell capacity), lead-free shot, bow, crossbow, falconry | Dec 12, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | 2 | |
| Regular (split 2) | South Zone | Shotgun 10 gauge or smaller (3-shell capacity), lead-free shot, bow, crossbow, falconry | Dec 26, 2026 | Dec 27, 2026 | 2 |
From the Michigan Department of Natural Resources 2026 regulation summary, checked October 22, 2026.
Michigan limits on coots
Coot bag and possession rules as printed, followed by the eLicense prices.
Coot
Daily 15; possession 45
American Coot licenses and stamps
| Purchase | Adult resident | Senior | Youth | Nonresident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base license | $11 | $5 | $6 | $151 |
| Waterfowl license (includes HIP) | $12 | $12 | – | $12 |
| Harvest Information Program endorsement | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Federal migratory bird hunting stamp | Priced federally | Priced federally | – | Priced federally |
| Migratory bird youth endorsement (includes HIP) | – | – | Free | – |
| Reserved waterfowl application | $5 | $5 | $5 | $5 |
DNR regulation summary and fee tables, DNR eLicense, checked October 22, 2026. Michigan hunting license guide.
American Coot field rules from the DNR
Reporting, hunting hours, hunter orange, bait and the other DNR rules that apply to coots.
Report and register
The Harvest Information Program endorsement is the only paperwork after the fact for coots.
When to hunt
Michigan times coots by the waterfowl rule, from half an hour before sunrise to sunset.
Hunter orange law
Coot hunters may wear camouflage: migratory birds other than woodcock are an exception to MCL 324.40116.
Bait
The migratory bird rule bars bait for coots and keeps an area baited 10 days after cleanup.
Sunday rule
Seasons for coots include Sundays statewide, subject to posted township rules.
American Coot hunting times by zone
| Date | What happens | Zone A hours | Zone B hours | Zone C hours | Zone D hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 26, 2026 | Regular (split 1) opens | 6:54 a.m. to 7:24 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. | 7:06 a.m. to 7:36 p.m. | 7:12 a.m. to 7:42 p.m. |
| Oct 3, 2026 | Regular (split 1) opens | 7:02 a.m. to 7:13 p.m. | 7:08 a.m. to 7:19 p.m. | 7:14 a.m. to 7:25 p.m. | 7:20 a.m. to 7:31 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Regular (split 1) opens | 7:17 a.m. to 6:51 p.m. | 7:23 a.m. to 6:57 p.m. | 7:29 a.m. to 7:03 p.m. | 7:35 a.m. to 7:09 p.m. |
| Nov 22, 2026 | Regular (split 1) closes | 7:02 a.m. to 5:13 p.m. | 7:08 a.m. to 5:19 p.m. | 7:14 a.m. to 5:25 p.m. | 7:20 a.m. to 5:31 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Regular (split 2) opens | 7:08 a.m. to 5:11 p.m. | 7:14 a.m. to 5:17 p.m. | 7:20 a.m. to 5:23 p.m. | 7:26 a.m. to 5:29 p.m. |
| Nov 29, 2026 | Regular (split 1) closes | 7:10 a.m. to 5:10 p.m. | 7:16 a.m. to 5:16 p.m. | 7:22 a.m. to 5:22 p.m. | 7:28 a.m. to 5:28 p.m. |
| Dec 12, 2026 | Regular (split 2) opens | 7:22 a.m. to 5:10 p.m. | 7:28 a.m. to 5:16 p.m. | 7:34 a.m. to 5:22 p.m. | 7:40 a.m. to 5:28 p.m. |
| Dec 13, 2026 | Regular (split 1) closes | 7:23 a.m. to 5:10 p.m. | 7:29 a.m. to 5:16 p.m. | 7:35 a.m. to 5:22 p.m. | 7:41 a.m. to 5:28 p.m. |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Regular (split 2) opens | 7:30 a.m. to 5:16 p.m. | 7:36 a.m. to 5:22 p.m. | 7:42 a.m. to 5:28 p.m. | 7:48 a.m. to 5:34 p.m. |
| Dec 27, 2026 | Regular (split 2) closes | 7:30 a.m. to 5:17 p.m. | 7:36 a.m. to 5:23 p.m. | 7:42 a.m. to 5:29 p.m. | 7:48 a.m. to 5:35 p.m. |
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.
American Coot units, quotas and lines
Three duck zones: the North Zone is the Upper Peninsula, and the Middle/South line crosses the Lower Peninsula from Oceana County to Lake Huron.
North Zone
All of the Upper Peninsula.
Middle Zone
Lower Peninsula north of the Middle/South line (WCO 1.2(19)).
South Zone
Lower Peninsula south of the line.
waterfowl summary, checked October 22, 2026.
Where to hunt coots in Michigan
Property records group coots under waterfowl; shown here are the 15 properties with that heading or the species itself.
| Area | Type | County | Acres |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan State Forest System | State Forest | Alcona, Alger, Alpena… | 3,954,811 |
| Ottawa National Forest | National Forest | Baraga, Gogebic, Houghton… | 1,000,750 |
| Huron-Manistee National Forest | National Forest | Alcona, Crawford, Iosco… | 979,067 |
| Hiawatha National Forest | National Forest | Alger, Chippewa, Delta… | 899,499 |
| Hunting Access Program | Hunting Access Program | Alcona, Alpena, Arenac… | 20,076 |
| Shiawassee River State Game Area (10,154 acres) | State Game Area | Saginaw | 10,154 |
| Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge | National Wildlife Refuge | Saginaw | 10,000 |
| Pointe Mouillee State Game Area (7,310 acres) | State Game Area | Wayne, Monroe | 7,310 |
| Kirtland's Warbler Wildlife Management Area (6,684 acres) | Federal WMA | Ogemaw, Clare, Oscoda… | 6,684 |
| Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge (6,200 acres) | National Wildlife Refuge | Wayne, Monroe | 6,200 |
| Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area (4,308 acres) | State Wildlife Area | Bay | 4,308 |
| Fennville Farm Unit | Managed waterfowl area | Allegan | 4,100 |
| Harsens Island Unit | Managed waterfowl area | St. Clair | 3,355 |
| Harbor Island National Wildlife Refuge (720 acres) | National Wildlife Refuge | Chippewa | 720 |
| Michigan Wetland Management District | Wetland Management District | Jackson, Barry, Van Buren… | 629 |
Properties and their game lists from DNR, USFS, FWS and NPS pages and the DNR land layers, retrieved 2026-10-22. Michigan public land directory · County guides.
Firearms, bows and loads for coots
Weapon rules change with the season, so match the row to the coot segment you hunt.
| Season | Allowed | Not allowed |
|---|---|---|
| Waterfowl and migratory birds | Bow, crossbow or shotgun 10 gauge or smaller holding no more than 3 shells (one-piece plug); one firearm per person; lead-free shot (steel, bismuth, tungsten types) required statewide for ducks, geese, mergansers, coots, gallinules, rails and snipe; falconry. | Lead shot for those species; shot size limits on managed waterfowl areas (WCO 3.414). |
Michigan method rules for coots
Float hunting
Hunting and trapping along waterways protected by the recreational trespass law belong to the riparian owners; permission needed.
Firearm transport in vehicles
In or on a motor vehicle (parked or moving), all firearms unloaded in barrel and magazine and cased or in the trunk; bows/crossbows unloaded and uncocked or cased on public land and roads. On ORVs: unloaded and cased or with a key-locked trigger mechanism. Boats under power: firearms unloaded. Handguns cased and not readily accessible unless CPL.
Michigan regulation summaries, the Wildlife Conservation Order and MCL part 401, checked October 22, 2026.
American Coot questions and answers
Which dates apply to coots in Michigan?
Coots follow the regular duck splits in the North, Middle and South zones.
Do coots count in the duck bag?
No. Coots have their own 15-bird daily bag.
Is there a daily or season cap on coots?
Daily 15; possession 45.
What is the 2026-27 calendar for coots in Michigan?
Coots: regular (split 1) Sep 26 to Nov 22, 2026 (North Zone); regular (split 1) Oct 3 to Nov 29, 2026 (Middle Zone); regular (split 1) Oct 17 to Dec 13, 2026 (South Zone); regular (split 2) Nov 28 to Nov 29, 2026 (North Zone); regular (split 2) Dec 12 to Dec 13, 2026 (Middle Zone). Scroll up to the dates table for the remaining coot segments.
Where is public ground for coots in Michigan?
15 properties qualify, among them Michigan State Forest System, Ottawa National Forest and Huron-Manistee National Forest. Part of that list comes from a group label in the property record.
Which licenses does a coot hunter carry?
Resident items for coots: Base license ($11); Waterfowl license (includes HIP) ($12); Harvest Information Program endorsement (Free); Reserved waterfowl application ($5).
Which days call for orange when hunting coots?
Coot hunters may wear camouflage: migratory birds other than woodcock are an exception to MCL 324.40116.
How early may coot hunters start?
Michigan times coots by the waterfowl rule, from half an hour before sunrise to sunset.
What happens after I take a coot in Michigan?
The Harvest Information Program endorsement is the only paperwork after the fact for coots.
Can feed be used to hunt coots?
The migratory bird rule bars bait for coots and keeps an area baited 10 days after cleanup.
What equipment is legal for coots?
Waterfowl and migratory birds: Bow, crossbow or shotgun 10 gauge or smaller holding no more than 3 shells (one-piece plug); one firearm per person; lead-free shot (steel, bismuth, tungsten types) required statewide for ducks, geese, mergansers, coots, gallinules, rails and snipe; falconry.
Can coot hunters go out on a Sunday in Michigan?
Seasons for coots include Sundays statewide, subject to posted township rules.
American Coot: final checks
Pair this coot guide with the property page for the game area or forest you plan to hunt; closures and refuges are listed there.
Other photos on this page: vastateparksstaff (CC BY 2.0); USFWS/Southeast (Public domain); GA-Kayaker (CC BY 2.0); ShenandoahNPS (Public domain).