The Michigan year, on one page

The campsite reservation race The outdoors

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

Winter tax bill due date Homeowners

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.

Unpaid taxes become delinquent Homeowners

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

New DNR license year The outdoors

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 Board of Review Homeowners

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.

New fishing rules year The outdoors

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

New ORV sticker year The outdoors

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 trout opener The outdoors

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

Morel season The outdoors

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.

PRE deadline for the summer bill Homebuyers

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.

Free Fishing Weekend The outdoors

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.

Summer tax bills Homeowners

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.

Tax Tribunal deadline Homeowners

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.

Trout stream season close The outdoors

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

Archery deer opener The outdoors

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

PRE deadline for the winter bill Homebuyers

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

Firearm deer opener The outdoors

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

Winter tax bills Homeowners

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