Hunting License Michigan- Steps to Buy Your MI License and Tags

David Harrison  ·  Updated on July 21, 2025

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hunting license michigan

Follow these straightforward steps to obtain a Michigan hunting license with HunterSafetyUSA:


MI Hunter Education Certification

 

How do I get my Hunter Education Certificate (Card)

You have five options to complete your hunter education requirements to hunt in Michigan. The first four are through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The last option is through HunterSafetyUSA & is the fastest.

  1. Traditional classroom-based course (which includes the in-person field day)
  2. Online course + in-person field day
  3. Interactive online course + in-person field day
  4. Take home study course + in-person field day
  5. Or complete our 3-hour online-only, all-video-based Hunter Education Course (Adults 17 and older only). We are an International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) and Texas Parks & Wildlife (TPWD) approved provider. The IHEA & TPWD Hunter Education Card you will receive after our course is valid for life and is accepted in all 50 US States and any additional territories or countries that share reciprocity with the IHEA. No in-person requirements are required for our course.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources website states that "Non-residents can purchase a Michigan hunting license with a valid hunter education safety certificate from another state."

 

What makes our course the best?

First and foremost, we offer the best technology experience among all the courses on the market. We have students who opt to take our course even though they already hold their Hunter Education Card, as they simply love it that much.

Skip having to attend an in-person field-day course with our 3 hour interactive Hunter Safety course.

We provide all the resources to get you fully certified online with our IHEA approved course. Your TPWD issued permanent hunter education certificate (card) can be used to purchase your hunting license in all 50 US States, Mexico and Canada (including in Michigan from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources).

After completing the HunterSafetyUSA course and passing the final exam, you’ll receive your temporary Hunter Education Certificate.

We submit your course results to TPWD. They will issue and email you your permanent Hunter Education Certificate (Card) in 24 hours (this can take 3-4 days when completed outside of hunting season, April-July); however, when taken during peak hunting season, August-March, it's processed in 24 hours. This is valid for use in all 50 U.S. states (including Michigan), Mexico, Canada, and any other country or U.S. territory that has reciprocity with IHEA-USA & State Issued Hunter Education Certificates.


Select Your MI Hunting License

Michigan offers a variety of hunting licenses for different age groups, residency statuses, and hunting preferences.

Michigan nonresident residents and non-residents ages 10 to 16 must purchase the reduced-fee Junior Base License. Michigan residents and non-residents up to age 9 may hunt with the Mentored Youth License. They must hunt with a mentor who is at least 21 years old and holds a valid hunting license.

Below is an overview of the primary license types available:​

Resident Licenses

A resident is a person whose permanent home is in Michigan. Active-duty military members and non-resident full-time students who live in Michigan and attend an educational institution in Michigan are considered residents. All Michigan residents must have the Base License. This license allows hunters to hunt small game. Additional licenses are required for other game species.

  • Base License – Required for Michigan residents aged 17 and older to hunt small game and to purchase additional hunting licenses.
  • Deer License – Allows residents to hunt one deer during the appropriate season.
  • Deer Combo License – Permits residents to hunt two deer (one antlered and one antlerless or two antlered, depending on regulations).
  • Hunt/Fish Combo License – Provides residents with hunting and all-species fishing privileges.
  • Fur Harvester License – Required for residents to trap or hunt furbearers.
  • Turkey License (Spring/Fall) – Required to hunt turkeys during designated seasons; available through a license application or over-the-counter.
  • Bear License – Required to hunt bears; available through a lottery system.
  • Elk License – Required to hunt elk; available through a lottery system.

Non-Resident Licenses

All non-residents must have the Base License. This license allows hunters to hunt small game. Additional licenses are required for other game species.

  • Base License – Required for non-residents aged 17 and older to hunt small game and to purchase additional hunting licenses.
  • Deer License – Allows non-residents to hunt one deer during the appropriate season.
  • Deer Combo License – Permits non-residents to hunt two deer (one antlered and one antlerless or two antlered, depending on regulations).
  • Hunt/Fish Combo License – Provides non-residents with hunting and all-species fishing privileges.
  • Fur Harvester License – Required for non-residents to trap or hunt furbearers.
  • Turkey License (Spring/Fall) – Required to hunt turkeys during designated seasons; available through application or over-the-counter.
  • Bear License – Required to hunt bears; available through a lottery system.
  • Elk License – Not available to nonresident individuals.

Youth Licenses & Requirements

  • Mentored Youth License – Available for residents and non-residents under age 10; allows hunting of small game, deer, turkey, waterfowl, and trapping of furbearers with a qualified mentor.
  • Junior Base License – Available for youth aged 10–16; required to hunt small game and to purchase additional licenses.
  • Junior Deer License – Allows youth aged 10–16 to hunt one deer during the appropriate season.
  • Junior Deer Combo License – Permits youth aged 10–16 to hunt two deer (one antlered and one antlerless or two antlered, depending on regulations).
  • Hunter Education Requirement – Individuals born on or after January 1, 1960, must complete a hunter education course, covering essential hunting rules, before purchasing any Michigan hunting license. Youth under age 10 hunting under the Mentored Youth License are exempt but must be accompanied by a qualified mentor.

Senior Licenses & Discounts

  • Senior Base License – Available to residents aged 65 and older; required to hunt small game and to purchase additional licenses.
  • Senior Deer License – Allows residents aged 65 and older to hunt one deer during the appropriate season.
  • Senior Deer Combo License – Permits residents aged 65 and older to hunt two deer (one antlered and one antlerless or two antlered, depending on regulations).
  • Senior Hunt/Fish Combo License – Provides residents aged 65 and older with hunting and all-species fishing privileges.
  • Senior Turkey License (Spring/Fall) – Required to hunt turkeys during designated seasons; available through application or over-the-counter.

Lifetime Licenses

  • Lifetime Comprehensive Hunting License – Provides residents with lifetime hunting privileges, including all required licenses and permits for hunting all game species.
  • Lifetime Comprehensive Fishing License – Provides residents with lifetime all-species fishing privileges.
  • Lifetime Comprehensive Hunt/Fish License – Provides residents with lifetime hunting and all-species fishing privileges.

Disability & Military Licenses

  • Disabled Veteran License – Available to resident veterans with 100% service-connected disability; provides nonresident hunting and fishing privileges at no cost for licenses not obtained through a lottery.
  • Active-Duty Military License – Resident active-duty military members may obtain hunting and fishing licenses at no cost for licenses not obtained through a lottery. Non-resident active-duty military members stationed in Michigan are eligible to purchase licenses at resident rates.
  • Inclusive Mentored License – Available to individuals with developmental disabilities; allows hunting of small game, deer, turkey, waterfowl, and trapping of furbearers with a qualified mentor.
  • Laser-Sighting Device Permit – Available to legally blind hunters; allows the use of laser-sighting devices when accompanied by a sighted person aged 18 or older with a valid hunting license.

Required Endorsements & Tags

  • Antlerless Deer License – Required to hunt antlerless deer; available through application or over-the-counter in specific Deer Management Units (DMUs).
  • Bear License – Required to hunt bears; available through a lottery system.
  • Elk License – Required to hunt elk; available through a lottery system for residents only, with no options for nonresident hunters.
  • Turkey License (Spring/Fall) – Required to hunt turkeys during designated seasons; available through application or over-the-counter.
  • Waterfowl License – Required to hunt waterfowl; must be purchased in addition to the base license.
  • Federal Duck Stamp – Required for all waterfowl hunters aged 16 and older; must be purchased in addition to the Waterfowl License.
  • Harvest Information Program (HIP) Registration – Required to hunt migratory birds; must be renewed annually.
  • DNR Sportcard – Required for individuals who do not have a valid Michigan driver’s license or state ID; used to track license purchases and hunter education compliance.

MI Hunting licenses, The Base License expires March 31 of each year.


Where to buy your Michigan Hunting License

To hunt in Michigan, nonresident hunters can purchase their license either online through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) licensing platform or in person through an authorized license agent. A comprehensive list of all in-person approved license agents is available here.

Below are some suggested authorized in-person hunting license agents in the state of Michigan:

 


Where to Find Additional Resources

 

Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Contact Information:
Phone: (517) 284-6057 Email: [email protected] Website: www.michigan.gov/dnr

 

FAQs

Can you take a hunter safety course online in Alabama?

Yes, our online hunter's education course is entirely online & only 3 hours long. It covers essential hunter safety education topics, making it one of the most efficient ways to fulfill your requirements.

 

How early should I sign up for the course before the hunting season?

Ideally, take your course by summer so you don’t miss out during the license purchase rush in late summer and fall.

 

Will the Texas Hunter Education Card (Certificate) be accepted in Michigan?

Yes, the permanent Texas Parks & Wildlife Hunter Education Card (Certification) is recognized by Michigan for non-residents and all other states and provinces with mandatory hunter education requirements due to reciprocity agreements with the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA). The Michigan Department of Natural Resources website states that "Non-residents can purchase a Michigan hunting license with a valid hunter education safety certificate from another state."

 

Does Michigan accept out of state hunters' safety?

Yes, an out of state Hunter Education Card (Certification) is recognized by Michigan for non-residents and all other states and provinces with mandatory hunter education requirements due to reciprocity agreements with the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA). The Michigan Department of Natural Resources website states that "Non-residents can purchase a Michigan hunting license with a valid hunter education safety certificate from another state."