License types and fees

License types and fees by age

^*One dollar from each of these licenses will be used to educate the public on the benefits of hunting, fishing and trapping in Michigan and the impact of these activities on the conservation, preservation and management of the state’s natural resources.
¹Nonresidents under 17 years old may purchase a resident base license.
²The DNR Sportcard is not required if you have a valid state-issued driver’s license or ID card.
³A pheasant hunting license is required for pheasant hunters 18 years old and older hunting on public lands and Hunting Access Program lands. See the Pheasant license section for exceptions and additional information.

Do I need a hunting license to target practice?
No. You do not need a hunting license when target shooting for practice or sighting in a firearm at an identifiable, artificially constructed target and when there is no attempt to take game.

Do I need a hunting license to hunt on a game bird hunting preserve?
No. You do not need a hunting license to hunt farm-raised game birds on a licensed game bird hunting preserve. However, to take wild game species on a game bird hunting preserve, hunters must have all appropriate licenses, including a federal duck stamp if applicable, and follow state laws governing the hunting of each species.

Can I use someone else’s hunting license?
No. You cannot use another person’s hunting license or allow another person to use your hunting license.

Hunter education

Is hunter safety required for purchasing a license?
Yes. If you were born on or after Jan. 1, 1960, you must present your hunter safety certificate or previous hunting license (other than an apprentice license) to purchase your license. Individuals who are qualified to hunt under the Mentored Hunting Program are exempt from the hunter safety requirement (visit the Mentored hunting section for more details). A valid hunter education safety certificate from another state meets this requirement. Michigan’s hunter education courses are offered throughout the year around the state. The online course can be found at Michigan.gov/HunterEducation. For a replacement Michigan hunter safety certificate, visit Michigan.gov/RecreationalSafety.

What are the rules for a youth hunter 10-16 years old who has taken hunter safety?
Youth 10-16 years old, and who are hunter safety-certified, must be accompanied by an adult 18 years old or older to hunt, unless:

• The youth is hunting on land where a parent or guardian regularly lives.
• AND the license is not an apprentice license.

Mentored hunting

What is the Mentored Hunting Program?
The Mentored Hunting Program is a set of rules that establishes the mentored youth license package and the inclusive mentored license package. Complete program details can be found at Michigan.gov/MentoredHunting.

What are the rules for a mentor participating in the Mentored Hunting Program?
A mentor is responsible for the mentored hunter’s actions in the field. A mentor must ensure the hunting device (shotgun, rifle, bow, etc.) used by the mentored hunter is properly fitted and appropriately suited for the mentored hunter. A mentor can only carry two hunting devices in the field. To participate as a mentor in the Mentored Hunting Program, you must meet all of the following qualifications:

• Be at least 21 years old.
• Have previous hunting experience.
• Possess a current-year Michigan base license that is not an apprentice license.

What is the mentored youth license?
The mentored youth license is a license package that allows youth hunters 9 years old and younger to hunt small game, waterfowl, turkey (spring and fall) and deer, trap furbearers and fish for all species with a qualified mentor. It also allows the mentored youth hunter to apply for or purchase additional licenses including antlerless deer, bear, elk and fall turkey. The mentored youth license and kill tags will remain valid for the duration of the license year, even if the mentored youth hunter turns 10 years old during the year. 

I am 9 years old or younger and not a resident of Michigan. Can I purchase a mentored youth license?
Yes. The mentored youth license is available to both residents and nonresidents who are 9 years old or younger.

What is the inclusive mentored license?
The inclusive mentored license is a license package that allows individuals with developmental disabilities to hunt small game, waterfowl, turkey (spring and fall) and deer, trap furbearers and fish for all species with a qualified mentor. It also allows the mentored hunter to purchase additional licenses including antlerless deer, bear, elk and fall turkey.

Who qualifies for the inclusive mentored license?
To qualify for the inclusive mentored license, one of the following must apply:

• The mentored individual is a minor child with a developmental disability and is unable to complete hunter safety.
• The mentored individual is an adult with a developmental disability, has a guardian appointed under chapter 6 of the mental health code (1974 PA 258, MCL 330.1600 to 330.1644) and is unable to complete hunter safety.

Apprentice hunting

What is the Apprentice Hunting Program?
The Apprentice Hunting Program allows a person who does not have a hunter safety certificate and is 10 years old or older to hunt during the current hunting seasons with a mentor who is at least 21 years old. An apprentice hunter will need to purchase a base apprentice license to participate. Additional licenses are required to hunt big game, furbearers and waterfowl. Complete program details can be found at Michigan.gov/MentoredHunting.

• Apprentice youth hunters can hunt on public lands and private or Commercial Forest lands for small game.

I am not a resident of Michigan. Can I purchase a base apprentice license?
Yes. The base apprentice hunting license is available to residents and nonresidents who do not have a hunter safety certificate.

How many times can I purchase a base apprentice license?
You can purchase a base apprentice license for up to two license years before you must successfully complete a hunter safety course and purchase a regular base license.

Can I hunt by myself with a base apprentice license, or do I need to hunt with someone else?
When hunting as an apprentice hunter, you must be accompanied by someone 21 years old or older who has a regular, current-year hunting license for the same game you are hunting. If you are an apprentice hunter who is 10-16 years old, your accompanying mentor must be your parent, guardian or someone designated by your parent or guardian who is at least 21 years old. A mentor can accompany no more than two apprentice hunters while hunting.

How close do I need to be to my accompanying mentor during the hunt?
Your accompanying mentor must be able to come to your immediate aid and stay within a distance that permits uninterrupted, unaided visual and verbal contact.

Hunters with disabilities

Additional resources for hunters with disabilities are available through Michigan Operation Freedom Outdoors. Visit MIOFO.org for more information.

I am legally blind. Can I hunt with a laser-sighting device?
Yes. Legally blind hunters can use laser-sighting devices to take game, subject to all other regulations, with a firearm or crossbow if all the following conditions are met:

• The person is accompanied by a sighted person who is at least 18 years old and possesses proof of a current or previous base hunting license (other than an apprentice base license) or proof of successful completion of a hunter safety class.
• The legally blind person possesses the appropriate hunting license and proof of impairment in the form of a Secretary of State ID card. No permit is necessary for this accommodation.

Can I get a permit to hunt using a laser-sighting device?
Yes. Hunters with other permanent disabilities can apply to the DNR Law Enforcement Division for a permit to use a laser-sighting device with a firearm or crossbow to take game. Subject to all other regulations, a permittee can take game with the use of a laser-sighting device only if accompanied by a person who is at least 18 years old and licensed to hunt the same game with a base license other than an apprentice base license. For application information, please call 517-284-6000.

Michigan residents

Do I qualify as a Michigan resident?
To qualify as a Michigan resident, you must meet one of the following criteria:

• Reside in a settled or permanent home or domicile within the boundaries of this state with the intention of remaining in this state. Resident status can only be claimed in one state.
• Be a full-time student at a Michigan college or university and reside in the state during the school year.
• Serve full-time in the U.S. military and be officially stationed in Michigan.
• Serve full-time in the U.S. military and maintain residency in Michigan.

If I own land in Michigan but live in a different state, can I buy a resident hunting license?
No. The ownership of land in Michigan by itself is not a qualification for a resident license. You would be considered a nonresident.

Michigan veterans with disabilities

I am a Michigan veteran with a disability. Do I get a discount?
Yes. Michigan resident veterans with a disability are eligible to obtain any hunting license that does not require a separate application free of charge, if one of the following conditions is met:

• You have been determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to be permanently and totally disabled as a result of military service and entitled to veterans' benefits at the 100% rate, for disabilities other than blindness.
• You have been rated by United States Department of Veterans Affairs as individually unemployable.

Documentation of eligibility from the Veterans Administration stating either of the above conditions should be in the possession of a veteran when obtaining free licenses and while afield.

U.S. military personnel

I am a resident of Michigan and in the military. Do I get a discount?
Yes. If you are a full-time, active-duty member of the federal U.S. military and have maintained Michigan resident status, your hunting license fees are waived, except for hunting licenses obtained through a drawing. You must present military ID, leave papers, duty papers, military orders or other evidence verifying that you are an active-duty member of the military, along with a valid Michigan driver’s license or voter registration card.

I am not a resident of Michigan and in the military. Do I get a discount?
No. Hunting license fees are not waived for nonresidents, even if you are a full-time, active-duty member of the federal U.S. military.

Treaty-authorized hunters

Can I hunt with a tribal member?
Yes. You can hunt with a tribal member who is present and actively hunting if you possess a state-issued hunting license for the applicable species and season for which you are hunting. You must still follow all applicable state small game hunting regulations.

DNR Sportcard

What is a DNR Sportcard?
A DNR Sportcard serves as a valid form of identification for people without a driver’s license. There are no age restrictions or residency requirements for purchase. A DNR Sportcard is not required if you have a valid state-issued driver’s license or ID card. A DNR Sportcard with accurate information can be used from year to year.

Hunt/fish combo license

What is the hunt/fish combo license?
The hunt/fish combo license is a “package” license that includes an annual fishing license good for all species on any Michigan body of water, a base license that allows small game hunting and a deer combo license (regular and restricted kill tags) valid in both archery and firearm seasons.

Base license

What is a base license?
A base license is required for everyone who hunts in Michigan. The base license provides funding for habitat and conservation work on both public and private land and supports the work of conservation officers and field staff to ensure safe, legal hunting practices are followed. The base license is not a kill tag and is valid for hunting small game. Additional licenses are required to hunt and trap other species. Hunters are always encouraged to carry their base license when hunting.

What small game species can I hunt with my base license?
A base license allows you to hunt bobwhite quail, coot (see HIP endorsement), cottontail rabbit, coyote (resident only), crow, ground squirrel (including chipmunk), rail (see HIP endorsement), ring-necked pheasant (see Pheasant license), ruffed grouse, sharp-tailed grouse (see Sharp-tailed grouse stamp), snipe (see HIP endorsement), snowshoe hare, squirrel (fox, gray and red; black phase included), woodchuck and woodcock (see HIP endorsement and Woodcock stamp) during the open season for each species. A base license is required to hunt small game on your own enclosed farmlands where you live.

I plan to purchase a nonresident small game three-day or seven-day license. Do I need a base license?
No. A base license is not required to purchase a nonresident small game three-day or seven-day license. Nonresidents may choose to purchase the three-day or seven-day small game license instead of an annual base license. You can purchase multiple three-day or seven-day small game licenses throughout the license year.

Pheasant license

What is a pheasant license?
A pheasant license is required to hunt pheasants on any public lands in the Lower Peninsula or on lands enrolled in the Hunting Access Program. The pheasant license is not a kill tag. Public Act 262 of 2020, which implemented the public-land pheasant license requirement, has a sunset date of Jan. 1, 2026.

Who does not need a pheasant license to hunt pheasants?
The following people do not need a pheasant license to hunt pheasants in Michigan:

• Pheasant hunters on private lands.
• Pheasant hunters on public lands in the Upper Peninsula.
• Pheasant hunters on a game bird hunting preserve.
• Pheasant hunters 17 years old or younger.
• Lifetime license holders.

Harvest Information Program

What is the Harvest Information Program?
The Harvest Information Program is a cooperative effort between state wildlife agencies and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It was implemented to improve knowledge about the harvest of migratory game birds. Any person who hunts migratory game birds (except crows) in Michigan is required to register with the HIP. The HIP provides the USFWS with a national registry of potential migratory bird hunters from which they could select participants for federal harvest surveys.

How do I receive a HIP endorsement?
When you purchase a qualifying hunting license, you will be asked HIP survey questions about your migratory bird harvest during the previous year. The HIP endorsement, “Migratory Bird Hunter,” will be printed on your hunting license. A current year HIP endorsement must be carried when hunting woodcock, snipe, coot and rails.

Sharp-tailed grouse stamp

What is a sharp-tailed grouse stamp?
A sharp-tailed grouse stamp is required to hunt sharp-tailed grouse in Michigan. The sharp-tailed grouse stamp is not a kill tag and does not include the HIP endorsement.

Woodcock stamp

What is a woodcock stamp?
A woodcock stamp is required to hunt woodcock in Michigan. The woodcock stamp is not a kill tag. The woodcock stamp includes the HIP endorsement.

Pure Michigan Hunt

What is the Pure Michigan Hunt?
The Pure Michigan Hunt is a chance at the hunt of a lifetime for three lucky hunters. Winners may purchase one elk (resident only), bear, antlerless deer, spring turkey, fall turkey and base hunting license at a total cost of $3. They may also participate in one reserved waterfowl hunt at a managed waterfowl area or have first selection of another hunt choice at any managed waterfowl area if approved by the local area manager. Also, winners will receive a prize package worth thousands and can choose to transfer their Pure Michigan Hunt opportunities to other individuals. Each PMH license will be valid for the applicable 2025 species hunting season and able to be used in any open hunt area for that species, except bear hunting on Drummond Island. Licenses will be subject to all 2025 hunting regulations.

How does the Pure Michigan Hunt drawing system work?
Hunters are selected for a Pure Michigan Hunt license package using a random drawing system. In the license drawing, Michigan residents and nonresidents are equally eligible for selection and license purchase.  

When is the application period for the 2025 Pure Michigan Hunt drawing?
The application period is Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2024.

How many Pure Michigan Hunt applications can I purchase?
You can purchase as many Pure Michigan Hunt applications as you wish until Dec. 31, 2024.

I am an apprentice hunter. Can I apply in the drawing?
No. You must be eligible to purchase regular, nonapprentice hunting licenses to apply in the PMH drawing.

I am not a resident of Michigan. Can I apply in the drawing?
Yes. You can apply in the Pure Michigan Hunt drawing as a nonresident. However, if you are selected, you will not be eligible to receive the PMH elk license, but will be allowed to transfer the license to a Michigan resident. 

When will the 2025 Pure Michigan Hunt winners be announced?
Three lucky hunters will be drawn in January 2025, and the winners will be announced via Facebook video broadcast, with final confirmation by phone. Drawing results are posted online the week following the video announcement.

Where can I find more information?
For more information on the Pure Michigan Hunt drawing, visit Michigan.gov/PMH.