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Ground Squirrel and Chipmunk Hunting in Michigan, 2026-27
Ground squirrels and chipmunks have no closed season in Michigan: they may be taken any day of the year, statewide, with a base license. Ground squirrel season rows, bags, equipment rules and mapped land below.
Photo: grendelkhan (CC BY-SA 2.0)
There is no daily or possession limit. Legal methods are hunting and legal trapping methods. Landowners may take them without a license when they are doing or about to do damage on private property (WCO 5.56).
Ground Squirrel and Chipmunk: the short form
- Dates in short: Year-round, hunting or trapping.
- Limit: No limit.
DNR source page, checked October 22, 2026.
GearHeading out for a hunt? Hunting gear checklists by season →
When ground squirrels and chipmunks are open in Michigan
There is no dated season for ground squirrels and chipmunks: they are open all year.
| Season | Zone | Method | Begins | Ends | Days | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year-round | Statewide | Hunting and legal trapping methods | Open all year | Year-round |
Conditions printed with the ground squirrel rows
- Open all year; no bag limit.
From the Michigan Department of Natural Resources 2026 regulation summary, checked October 22, 2026.
Bag and license rules for ground squirrels and chipmunks
The limits a conservation officer checks for ground squirrels and chipmunks, and the licenses that make them legal.
Ground squirrel (including chipmunk)
No daily or possession limit
Licenses for ground squirrels and chipmunks
| Item | Michigan resident | Senior resident | Ages 10-16 | Out of state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base license | $11 | $5 | $6 | $151 |
| Small game 3-day nonresident license | – | – | – | $50 |
| Small game 7-day nonresident license | – | – | – | $80 |
DNR regulation summary and fee tables, DNR eLicense, checked October 22, 2026. Michigan hunting license guide.
Michigan rules for ground squirrels and chipmunks: reporting, hours, orange
These cards cover the field rules for ground squirrels and chipmunks, with hunting hours by zone below them.
After the shot
Ground squirrels and chipmunks need no harvest report or seal.
Legal light
The ground squirrel day opens half an hour before sunrise and closes half an hour after sunset; western zones add up to 18 minutes.
Wearing orange
Between Aug. 15 and April 30, a visible orange garment is required while hunting ground squirrels and chipmunks in daylight.
Sunday hunting
Ground squirrels and chipmunks may be hunted on Sundays; local township ordinances are the only limit to watch.
First and last light, ground squirrel season
| 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. |
| 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. |
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.
Michigan places for ground squirrels and chipmunks
These 10 properties list small game or the species, the closest match the land records allow.
| Public land | 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 |
| Muskegon County Resource Recovery Center (11,182 acres) | Managed waterfowl area | Muskegon | 11,182 |
| 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 |
| 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.
Ground Squirrel and Chipmunk weapon rules
The weapon rows and method rules from the summaries and the WCO that apply to ground squirrels and chipmunks.
| Season | Permitted | Not permitted |
|---|---|---|
| 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)). |
How ground squirrels and chipmunks may be hunted in Michigan
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.
Ground Squirrel and Chipmunk: questions from hunters
Is there a season on ground squirrels and chipmunks in Michigan?
No closed season: open all year; no bag limit.
Do I need a license to shoot ground squirrels and chipmunks?
A base license, except for landowners taking animals doing damage on their own property.
When must small game hunters wear hunter orange?
Between Aug. 15 and April 30, a visible orange garment is required while hunting ground squirrels and chipmunks in daylight.
When does legal hunting time start and end for ground squirrels and chipmunks?
The ground squirrel day opens half an hour before sunrise and closes half an hour after sunset; western zones add up to 18 minutes.
Does the ground squirrel season run on Sundays in Michigan?
Ground squirrels and chipmunks may be hunted on Sundays; local township ordinances are the only limit to watch.
How do I report ground squirrels and chipmunks in Michigan?
Ground squirrels and chipmunks need no harvest report or seal.
Is the take of ground squirrels and chipmunks capped in Michigan?
No daily or possession limit.
Do ground squirrels and chipmunks have open dates in Michigan?
Year-round: the regulations set no open and close dates for ground squirrels and chipmunks.
Which public properties in Michigan list ground squirrels and chipmunks?
Begin with Michigan State Forest System, Ottawa National Forest and Huron-Manistee National Forest, the biggest of 10 on the list. Not every record spells out the animal; some list its group.
What must I buy before going after ground squirrels and chipmunks in Michigan?
The ground squirrel list, resident: Base license ($11).
Ground Squirrel and Chipmunk checklist
For ground squirrels and chipmunks on public ground, read the property page as well as the statewide rules.
Other photos on this page: Greg Schechter (CC BY 2.0); YoungSue (Public Domain Mark 1.0); PierreSelim (CC BY 3.0); sonstroem (CC BY 2.0).