Michigan hunting licenses and your first hunt, explained

2026 license year (March 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027). Fees and rules change — confirm at checkout and in the current regulation summary.

The base license is the cover charge

Think of it this way: the base license is the cover charge, and species licenses are the drink tickets. Everyone buys the base first; by itself it covers all small game, and it unlocks the right to buy deer, turkey, bear, waterfowl, and fur harvester licenses. One quirk to know: the fur harvester license runs on its own year (May 1 – April 30), offset from everything else.

Hunter safety: who needs it

If you were born on or after January 1, 1960, you must pass hunter safety before buying a regular license. Three formats: traditional in-person, online plus a field day, or home study plus a field day. Pass once and your certificate is good for life, in every state — and out-of-state certificates work in Michigan too.

The on-ramps for beginners

• Apprentice license: skip the course for up to two license years while hunting under the direct supervision of a licensed adult (21+). Same price as a regular license, available to adults as well as kids — the official “try before you commit” path. After two years, you take the course.
• Mentored youth (9 and under): $7.50 buys a remarkable bundle — base license, deer license, both turkey licenses, fur harvester license, and fishing — for a child hunting with a qualified mentor (21+, licensed, experienced).
• The youth ladder: under 10, mentored → ages 10–16, junior base ($6, with hunter safety or as an apprentice) → 17 and up, adult licensing. A parent or guardian must accompany hunters under 17 for most hunting, and events like the September Liberty Hunt and Youth Waterfowl Weekend give kids the woods to themselves.

Discounts

Resident seniors (65+) get reduced prices; Michigan residents who are 100% disabled veterans hunt free (except drawing licenses); active-duty military stationed in Michigan pay resident rates; youth pricing applies on several licenses.

Digital tags (new for 2026)

The eHarvest system now offers optional digital tags for deer, turkey, bear, bobcat, otter, fisher, and marten through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app. Buy through the app and tag on your phone; buy at a store and you’ll get paper. Either way you must be able to show your tag in the field, and harvest reporting rules are unchanged.

Quick FAQ

Do I need a license to hunt my own land? Yes, for almost everything — the narrow exceptions are nuisance animals (like a coyote doing damage). Can I buy a license for someone else? No — licenses are individual. Where do I buy? Online at eLicense, in the Hunt Fish app, or at retail agents (big-box stores, rural hardware stores, bait shops). Bring your driver’s license or DNR Sportcard. What does it cost? See the fee table on Hunting in Michigan, explained — and note that fee increases were moving in the Legislature in 2026, so confirm prices at checkout.

The signpost

Rules change every year. Hunter safety classes, license details, and the current regulation summaries live at the DNR: Michigan.gov/DNR and Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses.