Dates worth planning around

Early January

The outdoors

The campsite reservation race

State park campsites open six months before your arrival date, so Fourth of July weekend books in early January. Summer is won in winter.

February 14

Homeowners

Winter tax bill due date

Winter property tax bills are commonly due February 14. Your city or township treasurer sets the exact date, so the bill itself is the final word.

March 1

Homeowners

Unpaid taxes become delinquent

Last year's unpaid property taxes move to the county treasurer on March 1 and start collecting extra fees. Catching up early costs less.

March 1

The outdoors

New DNR license year

Michigan hunting and fishing licenses for the new year go on sale March 1. Last year's licenses run out at the end of March.

March — your notice lists the dates

Homeowners

March Board of Review

Think the assessment on your home is too high? The March Board of Review is the first appeal stop for most homeowners, and the deadlines are short.

April 1

The outdoors

New fishing rules year

Michigan's fishing regulations year runs April 1 through March 31. New seasons, limits, and rules take effect today.

April 1

The outdoors

New ORV sticker year

ORV licenses and trail permits are good from April 1 through March 31 of the next year. A sticker bought in fall still expires this spring.

The last Saturday in April

The outdoors

The trout opener

Type 1 trout streams open the last Saturday in April — the classic season your grandfather kept. They stay open through September 30.

Most of May

The outdoors

Morel season

May is Michigan's morel month. The DNR posts a burn-area map each spring, because last year's burns are where the mushrooms come up.

June 1

Homebuyers

PRE deadline for the summer bill

File the Principal Residence Exemption with your local assessor on or before June 1 and it can lower this year's summer tax bill. Miss it, and November 1 is the backup.

One weekend in June

The outdoors

Free Fishing Weekend

For one June weekend, everyone can fish without a license — and ORV trails and state-park entry are free too. All other rules still apply.

July 1

Homeowners

Summer tax bills

Summer property tax bills commonly go out around July 1. If you bought your home in the past year, this may be the first bill at your new, uncapped amount.

July 31

Homeowners

Tax Tribunal deadline

For residential property, July 31 is the state-law deadline to take a value appeal to the Michigan Tax Tribunal. Most homeowners protest at the March Board of Review first.

September 30

The outdoors

Trout stream season close

Type 1 trout streams close September 30. Many other waters stay open — check the current regulations for the stream you fish.

October 1

The outdoors

Archery deer opener

Archery deer season opens October 1 statewide, for bow and crossbow. You need a base license plus a deer license.

November 1

Homebuyers

PRE deadline for the winter bill

Missed the June 1 PRE deadline? File on or before November 1 and the exemption can still lower this year's winter tax bill.

November 15

The outdoors

Firearm deer opener

The regular firearm deer season opens November 15 and runs through November 30. Everyone in the deer woods wears hunter orange — bowhunters included.

December 1

Homeowners

Winter tax bills

Winter property tax bills commonly go out around December 1 and are commonly due February 14. Your local treasurer sets the exact dates.