Home › Michigan › Species › Russian Boar and Feral Swine
DNR summaries 2026-27
Russian Boar and Feral Swine Hunting in Michigan, 2026-27
Russian boar and other feral swine may be taken year-round in Michigan, statewide, with a base license. The whole 2026-27 feral swine year, opener to close, from the DNR tables.
Photo: GlacierNPS (Public domain)
On public land, anyone with a hunting license or a concealed pistol license may take them. There is no bag limit, and the DNR asks hunters to report sightings and kills. Feral swine are listed with the unprotected species taken year-round with a base license.
How the regulations sum up feral swine
- Season shape: Year-round with base license.
- Take: No limit.
- Notes: Report sightings and kills to DNR.
DNR source page, checked October 22, 2026.
GearHeading out for a hunt? Hunting gear checklists by season →
Michigan feral swine dates for 2026-27
Michigan sets no season dates for feral swine.
| Season | Where | Method | Opens | Closes | Days | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year-round | Statewide | Hunting and trapping | Every month | Year-round |
Russian Boar and Feral Swine row notes
- May be taken year-round with a base license; on public land by anyone with a hunting license or concealed pistol license; report to DNR.
From the Michigan Department of Natural Resources 2026 regulation summary, checked October 22, 2026.
Russian Boar and Feral Swine limits and license costs, 2026-27
Limits for feral swine in the DNR's own words, then each license, stamp and application with resident, senior, youth and nonresident prices.
What a feral swine hunter buys
| License | Resident | 65 and older | Youth | Nonresident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base license | $11 | $5 | $6 | $151 |
DNR regulation summary and fee tables, DNR eLicense, checked October 22, 2026. Michigan hunting license guide.
Russian Boar and Feral Swine regulations beyond the bag
Field rules for feral swine, checked on October 22, 2026.
Reporting
No harvest report is required for feral swine: mandatory reporting covers deer and turkey, and bear, elk, bobcat, fisher, marten and otter are registered.
Hours
Hog hunters follow the WCO 2.5 hours, sunrise minus 30 minutes to sunset plus 30, on the DNR table for the date.
Orange and pink
From Aug. 15 through April 30, in daylight shooting hours, anyone taking feral swine wears a cap, hat, vest, jacket or rain gear of hunter orange; camouflage with at least 50% orange counts.
Hunting on Sunday
No Sunday closure applies to feral swine in Michigan.
When shooting starts and stops for feral swine
| Day | Season point | A | B | C | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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. |
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.
Legal weapons for feral swine in Michigan
Legal and prohibited equipment for feral swine, with the method rules beside it.
| Season or group | Legal | Not legal |
|---|---|---|
| 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)). |
Russian Boar and Feral Swine method rules
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.
Live wild animals
Possessing live game or protected animals taken from the wild requires a DNR permit.
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.
Michigan feral swine questions answered
Can I shoot feral hogs on state land in Michigan?
May be taken year-round with a base license; on public land by anyone with a hunting license or concealed pistol license; report to DNR.
Do I need a deer license to shoot a feral hog?
No. A base license covers feral swine, and on public land a concealed pistol license also qualifies.
Is there any Sunday closure for feral swine?
No Sunday closure applies to feral swine in Michigan.
Are feral swine open year-round in Michigan?
There is no closed season on feral swine.
How much do the licenses for feral swine cost?
Buy, as it applies to feral swine: Base license ($11).
Is there a sunset rule for feral swine in Michigan?
Hog hunters follow the WCO 2.5 hours, sunrise minus 30 minutes to sunset plus 30, on the DNR table for the date.
Do hog hunters wear orange or pink?
From Aug. 15 through April 30, in daylight shooting hours, anyone taking feral swine wears a cap, hat, vest, jacket or rain gear of hunter orange; camouflage with at least 50% orange counts.
Is there a harvest report for feral swine?
No harvest report is required for feral swine: mandatory reporting covers deer and turkey, and bear, elk, bobcat, fisher, marten and otter are registered.
Heading out after feral swine
Dates and limits here match the DNR summaries as checked on October 22, 2026; the DNR can change them, so check the summary before a feral swine hunt.
Other photos on this page: U.S. Geological Survey (CC0 1.0); Flappy Pigeon (CC BY-SA 4.0); Alabama Extension (CC0 1.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain).