The 40th Anniversary of Woods-N-Water News Outdoor Weekend, Sept. 11-13, the first weekend after Labor Day, held at the Fairgrounds in Imlay City, is a “Celebration of our Outdoor Heritage!” And yes, this year’s event conflicts with the Liberty Hunt, the special deer hunt for youth and hunters with qualifying disabilities. So, we figured we would give FREE HUNTING LICENSES to those who qualify for the 2026 Liberty Hunt on Friday, Sept. 11 at the Outdoor Weekend! Yes, 100 free hunting licenses to be given away Friday night to use for the Liberty Hunt weekend or the rest of the 2026 deer season! The Outdoor Weekend has teamed up with our Woods-N-Water News Outdoor Foundation to pay the fees, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources will be on hand to process the licenses for eligible hunters. Now, there’s something more to celebrate!
First, to qualify for a free hunting license, you must purchase admission to the Outdoor Weekend ($10), or if you are 12 and under (free to the event), you must attend with someone who paid full admission. Also, if you were born on or after Jan. 1, 1960, you must present your hunter education certificate or previous hunting license (other than a base apprentice license) to receive your license. Michigan’s hunter education courses are offered throughout the year around the state.
What is the Liberty Hunt?
According to the MDNR, the Liberty Hunt is a statewide firearm deer season that takes place on public and private lands open to firearm deer hunting Sept. 12–13, 2026. Youth 16 years old or younger and individuals with qualifying disabilities can participate in this season.
• Hunters 9 years old and younger must be licensed through the Mentored Hunting Program and accompanied by a qualified mentor.
• Youth 10–16 years old can hunt with a bow, crossbow or firearm, regardless of license used.
• For youth 10–16 years old, valid licenses include a single deer, deer combo or antlerless deer license.
• During this season, a qualified individual may harvest an antlered or antlerless deer with an unused single deer license (including the license issued through the Mentored Hunting Program), a deer combo license regular kill tag or a deer combo license restricted kill tag. Antler point restrictions do not apply.
• A universal antlerless license or deer management assistance permit may also be used to take antlerless deer only, if issued for the area/land where hunting.
• During this season, you can harvest only ONE antlered deer and multiple antlerless deer (one per kill tag).
• All hunters participating in this season must wear hunter orange.
• Baiting restrictions apply during the Liberty Hunt.
Who Qualifies For
The Liberty Hunt?
More MDNR qualifications for the Liberty Hunt. You must meet one of the following criteria:
• Be licensed under the Mentored Hunting Program and accompanied by a qualified mentor.
• Be 16 years old or younger.
• Be a veteran who has been determined to have 100% disability or a resident of Michigan rated as individually unemployable by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Have been issued a permit by the DNR to hunt from a standing vehicle.
• Have been issued a permit by the DNR to hunt using a laser-sighting device.
• Be a blind individual.
• Be a deaf individual as defined by section 2 of 72 PA 1978, MCL 408.202.
For years, the Woods-N-Water News Outdoor Weekend was “The annual kick-off to the fall outdoor seasons.” And it certainly is a fun kick-off, but there’s plenty of hunting already taking place in Michigan. Plenty of waterfowl action with early goose and teals seasons. Bear hunting has opened in some areas and this year the early antlerless firearm season is the same weekend as the Liberty Hunt, Sept. 12-13.
Plenty more details on this year’s Outdoor Weekend will appear in the September 2026 issue, including more details on the free hunting licenses for those who qualify for the Liberty Hunt.
The Outdoor Weekend is lining up to be an outstanding event for showgoers, starting with over 200 impressive outdoor retailers, educational displays, and exhibits…just about every type of product for outdoor enthusiasts. Add a bunch of great entertainment from Ultimate Air Dogs, to lumberjacks to artistic chainsaw carvers, Native American storytellers/dancers, one of the biggest locked antler displays, a Camp Chili Cook-Off (Saturday), climbing wall, and lots of food, refreshments, and puppies—lots of puppies.
The Outdoor Weekend hours: Friday, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will be held at the Eastern Michigan State Fairgrounds in Imlay City. Admission is $10 per person, and kids 12 and under are free and free parking. For more information, check our Woods-N-Water News Facebook page, website www.outdoorweekend.net, scan the code above or call 810-724-0254.
