Skip to main content
Michigan Header Logo
DNR
Michigan Header LogoMichigan Header Logo
Department of Natural Resources
  • Things to do
    Things to do collapsed link
  • Places to go
    Places to go collapsed link
  • Buy and apply
    Buy and apply collapsed link
  • Education and safety
    Education and safety collapsed link
  • Managing your resources
    Managing your resources collapsed link
  • About us
    About us collapsed link
  • Events
Things to do
Go to Things to do
Accessible recreation
Go to Accessible recreation
Boating
Go to Boating
DNR calendar
Go to DNR calendar
Camping and lodging
Go to Camping and lodging
Fishing
Go to Fishing

Get all your fishing information here, including rules and regulations, license info, the weekly fishing report and much more. Use the link above to visit the fishing home page, or go directly to your area of interest below:

  • Learn to fish
  • Where to fish
  • Weekly fishing report
  • Master angler and state record
  • Marked and tagged fish
  • Free Fishing Weekend
  • Fishing Tournament Information System
  • Fishing regulations
Hunting
Go to Hunting

Get all your hunting information here, including hunting season dates, rules and regulations, and much more. Use the button above to visit the hunting home page, or go directly to your area of interest below:

ORV riding
Go to ORV riding
Paddling
Go to Paddling
Shooting
Go to Shooting

Information on DNR shooting and archery ranges, rules and regulations, resources to get started and more. Use the button above to visit the target shooing and archery home page, or go directly to one of the pages below:

  • Algonac (St. Clair County)
  • Bald Mountain (Oakland County)
  • Barry County
  • Dansville (Ingham County)
  • Echo Point (Allegan County)
  • Island Lake (Livingston County)
  • Lapeer (Lapeer County)
  • Lost Nation (Hillsdale County)
  • Skogland-Erickson (Marquette County)
  • Ortonville (Lapeer County)
  • Pontiac Lake (Oakland County)
  • Porcupine Mountains (Ontonagon County)
  • Rose Lake (Clinton County)
  • Sharonville (Jackson County)
  • Supply Road (Grand Traverse County)
  • Voyer Lake (Montmorency County)
Snowmobiling
Go to Snowmobiling

Find snowmobile trail permit info, maps, rules and regulations and more. USE THE BUTTON ABOVE TO VISIT THE SNOWMOBILE HOMEPAGE or go directly to you area of interest below:

Hiking and biking
Go to Hiking and biking
Horseback riding
Go to Horseback riding
Morel mushroom hunting
Go to Morel mushroom hunting

Want to find tasty morel mushrooms in the forest? Click the box above for tips and tricks to fill your basket.

Volunteering
Go to Volunteering
Wildlife viewing
Go to Wildlife viewing

Wildlife Viewing

Winter activities
Go to Winter activities

Find cross-country ski, ice fishing , snowmobiling info and much more.

  • Fat-tire biking
  • Winter camping
  • Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park
  • Winter disc golf
  • Ice fishing
  • Snowshoeing
  • Winter plowing
  • Cross-country skiing
Places to go
Go to Places to go
Boating access
Go to Boating access
Fishing locations
Go to Fishing locations
Hatcheries
Go to Hatcheries
Michigan History Center
Go to Michigan History Center
Hunting locations
Go to Hunting locations
Maps
Go to Maps
Natural areas
Go to Natural areas

Natural Areas

Outdoor Adventure Center
Go to Outdoor Adventure Center
Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center
Go to Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center

Find facility info, overnight info, an event calendar and much more.

Shooting ranges
Go to Shooting ranges
State forests
Go to State forests

State Forests

State parks
Go to State parks
State trails
Go to State trails

Find a great trail experience near you - whether you want to hike, bike, snowmobile or ride an ORV. From long, paved linear trails to rugged forest terrain, Michigan offers trail opportunities for all abilities and interests.

Visitor centers
Go to Visitor centers

Visitor Centers across the state provide education programs, field trips, archery, fishing, trails and much more. Click the box above to see all our locations, or click the individual location below.

Buy and apply
Go to Buy and apply
Search for permits and more
Go to Search for permits and more
Recreation Passport
Go to Recreation Passport

Recreation Passport

Forest carbon
Go to Forest carbon
Grants
Go to Grants

We administer grants that enable our local partners to promote the lifestyles we all enjoy by providing recreational opportunities, enhancing wildlife habitat and ensuring public safety. Visit the grants home page by clicking on the button above, or view a specific area of interest below:

Education and safety
Go to Education and safety
  • Recreational safety and hunter education
  • Learn about Michigan's species
  • Programs for all
  • Programs for educators
  • Safety information
Recreational safety and hunter education
Go to Recreational safety and hunter education

Recreational Safety and Hunter Education

Learn about Michigan's species
Go to Learn about Michigan's species

Learn about Michigan's diverse range of fish, plants, trees, reptiles, amphibians, insects and mammals. Click the box above to see all species, or click the species group below.

  • Birds
  • Crayfish
  • Fish
  • Insects
  • Mammals
  • Plants and trees
  • Reptiles and amphibians
Programs for all
Go to Programs for all

DNR educators across the state provide fun, educational activities, programs and workshops year-round for adults, families and kids. Click the box above to see all our offerings, or click the program below.

  • Nature programs in state parks
  • Stepping Stones
  • Natural and historical education resources for home
  • Archery classes and clinics
  • Fishing Classes
  • Outdoor Skills Academy
  • Becoming an Outdoors Woman
Programs for educators
Go to Programs for educators

DNR educators provide classroom lessons, field trip opportunities, professional development and experiential programs to teachers around the state. Click the box above to see all our offerings, or click the program below.

  • Nature Awaits
  • Academy of Natural Resources
  • Salmon in the Classroom
  • Project WILD
  • Project Learning Tree
  • Nature at School
  • Wildlife classroom curricula
  • Field trips
  • Nature Center Summit
  • National Archery in the Schools Program
  • Explore Bowhunting
Safety information
Go to Safety information

Safety Information

Managing your resources
Go to Managing your resources
Fisheries
Go to Fisheries
  • Doing business
  • Disease
  • Natural Rivers
  • Tribal Coordination
  • Creel Clerks & Angler Surveys
  • Habitat Management
  • Research
  • Management Units
  • Dams
  • Hatcheries & Weirs
  • Fish Stocking
  • Cultural & Scientific Collectors Permit (Fisheries)
Forestry
Go to Forestry

DNR forest resources professionals maintain healthy forests, manage wildfire, maintain responsible harvesting certifications and improve wildlife habitat. Click the box above to learn more about Michigan's state forests.

Landowner/homeowner resources
Go to Landowner/homeowner resources
Parks, trails and waterways
Go to Parks, trails and waterways
Public lands
Go to Public lands
Minerals
Go to Minerals
Doing business
Go to Doing business

Doing business with the DNR

Rules, laws and enforcement
Go to Rules, laws and enforcement
  • Report All Poaching
  • Conservation Officers
  • Hiring and Training
  • CO Biweekly Reports
  • Regulation summaries and handbooks
  • County and Municipal Law Enforcement Information
  • Orders
Real estate
Go to Real estate

Real Estate

  • Land Auctions and Sales
  • Land Exchange
  • Easements
  • Recent Land Acquisitions and Exchanges
Sustainability
Go to Sustainability
Wildlife
Go to Wildlife
  • Bear Management
  • Deer Management
  • Nuisance Wildlife
  • Michigan Grassland Coalition
  • Wildlife publications
  • Wildlife Action Plan
  • Wildlife Permits
About us
Go to About us
Mission, vision and values
Go to Mission, vision and values
Accessibility
Go to Accessibility

Accessible recreation opportunities in Michigan

Boards and committees
Go to Boards and committees

All DNR-related boards, committees, and advisory groups

Job opportunities
Go to Job opportunities

Find seasonal, part-time and full-time job openings with the DNR

Contact DNR
Go to Contact DNR

information on how to contact us

  • DNR Directory Page
  • Customer Service Centers
Funding
Go to Funding

Funding

Get involved
Go to Get involved

information about volunteer and donation opportunities

Newsroom
Go to Newsroom

News releases, closures, photos and more

Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry
Go to Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry
Policies and Reports
Go to Policies and Reports
Events
Go to Events
Back Things to do
  • Accessible recreation
  • Boating
  • DNR calendar
  • Camping and lodging
  • Fishing
  • Hunting
  • ORV riding
  • Paddling
  • Shooting
  • Snowmobiling
  • Hiking and biking
  • Horseback riding
  • Morel mushroom hunting
  • Volunteering
  • Wildlife viewing
  • Winter activities
Back Accessible recreation
Back Boating
Back DNR calendar
Back Camping and lodging
Back Fishing
  • Learn to fish
  • Where to fish
  • Weekly fishing report
  • Master angler and state record
  • Marked and tagged fish
  • Free Fishing Weekend
  • Fishing Tournament Information System
  • Fishing regulations
Back Hunting
  • Bear hunting
  • Elk
  • Small game
  • Fur harvesting
  • Deer
  • Mentored youth and apprentice hunting
  • Learn to hunt
  • Turkey
  • Waterfowl
  • Hunter safety certificate
  • Hunting safety
  • Hunting season calendar
  • Where to hunt
  • Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app
Back ORV riding
Back Paddling
Back Shooting
  • Algonac (St. Clair County)
  • Bald Mountain (Oakland County)
  • Barry County
  • Dansville (Ingham County)
  • Echo Point (Allegan County)
  • Island Lake (Livingston County)
  • Lapeer (Lapeer County)
  • Lost Nation (Hillsdale County)
  • Skogland-Erickson (Marquette County)
  • Ortonville (Lapeer County)
  • Pontiac Lake (Oakland County)
  • Porcupine Mountains (Ontonagon County)
  • Rose Lake (Clinton County)
  • Sharonville (Jackson County)
  • Supply Road (Grand Traverse County)
  • Voyer Lake (Montmorency County)
Back Snowmobiling
Back Hiking and biking
Back Horseback riding
Back Morel mushroom hunting
Back Volunteering
Back Wildlife viewing
Back Winter activities
  • Fat-tire biking
  • Winter camping
  • Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park
  • Winter disc golf
  • Ice fishing
  • Snowshoeing
  • Winter plowing
  • Cross-country skiing
Back Places to go
  • Boating access
  • Fishing locations
  • Hatcheries
  • Michigan History Center
  • Hunting locations
  • Maps
  • Natural areas
  • Outdoor Adventure Center
  • Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center
  • Shooting ranges
  • State forests
  • State parks
  • State trails
  • Visitor centers
Back Boating access
Back Fishing locations
Back Hatcheries
Back Michigan History Center
Back Hunting locations
Back Maps
Back Natural areas
Back Outdoor Adventure Center
Back Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center
  • Lodging
  • Meetings
  • Dining
  • Activities and events
  • About
  • Photo gallery
Back Shooting ranges
Back State forests
Back State parks
Back State trails
Back Visitor centers
  • Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center
  • Eddy Discovery Center
  • Michigan DNR Pocket Park
  • Hartwick Pines Visitor Center
  • Gillette Sand Dune Visitor Center
  • Ludington State Park education programs
  • Oden Hatchery Visitor Center
  • Porcupine Mountains Visitor Center
  • Saginaw Bay Visitor Center
  • Tahquamenon Falls education programs
  • Wolf Lake Hatchery Visitor Center
Back Buy and apply
  • Search for permits and more
  • Recreation Passport
  • Forest carbon
  • Grants
Back Search for permits and more
Back Recreation Passport
Back Forest carbon
Back Grants
  • Recreation
  • Aquatic and wildlife
  • Forestry
  • Law enforcement and safety
Back Education and safety
  • Recreational safety and hunter education
  • Learn about Michigan's species
  • Programs for all
  • Programs for educators
  • Safety information
Back Recreational safety and hunter education
Back Learn about Michigan's species
  • Birds
  • Crayfish
  • Fish
  • Insects
  • Mammals
  • Plants and trees
  • Reptiles and amphibians
Back Programs for all
  • Nature programs in state parks
  • Stepping Stones
  • Natural and historical education resources for home
  • Archery classes and clinics
  • Fishing Classes
  • Outdoor Skills Academy
  • Becoming an Outdoors Woman
Back Programs for educators
  • Nature Awaits
  • Academy of Natural Resources
  • Salmon in the Classroom
  • Project WILD
  • Project Learning Tree
  • Nature at School
  • Wildlife classroom curricula
  • Field trips
  • Nature Center Summit
  • National Archery in the Schools Program
  • Explore Bowhunting
Back Safety information
Back Managing your resources
  • Fisheries
  • Forestry
  • Landowner/homeowner resources
  • Parks, trails and waterways
  • Public lands
  • Minerals
  • Doing business
  • Rules, laws and enforcement
  • Real estate
  • Sustainability
  • Wildlife
Back Fisheries
  • Doing business
  • Disease
  • Natural Rivers
  • Tribal Coordination
  • Creel Clerks & Angler Surveys
  • Habitat Management
  • Research
  • Management Units
  • Dams
  • Hatcheries & Weirs
  • Fish Stocking
  • Cultural & Scientific Collectors Permit (Fisheries)
Back Forestry
  • Forest Certification
  • Fire Management
  • Management Strategies
  • Resources for private forest land owners
  • Forest Products Industry
  • Public Input
  • Commercial Timber Sales
  • Urban and Community Forestry
  • Mi Trees
Back Landowner/homeowner resources
Back Parks, trails and waterways
  • Parks System
  • Trails System
  • Waterways Facilities
Back Public lands
  • Project Boundary Maps
  • Permission to Use Public Land
  • Payment in Lieu of Taxes
  • Public Land Strategy
Back Minerals
  • Oil and Gas
  • Metallic Minerals
  • Nonmetallic Minerals
  • Underground Natural Gas Storage
  • Contact
Back Doing business
Back Rules, laws and enforcement
  • Report All Poaching
  • Conservation Officers
  • Hiring and Training
  • CO Biweekly Reports
  • Regulation summaries and handbooks
  • County and Municipal Law Enforcement Information
  • Orders
Back Real estate
  • Land Auctions and Sales
  • Land Exchange
  • Easements
  • Recent Land Acquisitions and Exchanges
Back Sustainability
Back Wildlife
  • Bear Management
  • Deer Management
  • Nuisance Wildlife
  • Michigan Grassland Coalition
  • Wildlife publications
  • Wildlife Action Plan
  • Wildlife Permits
Back About us
  • Mission, vision and values
  • Accessibility
  • Boards and committees
  • Job opportunities
  • Contact DNR
  • Funding
  • Get involved
  • Newsroom
  • Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry
  • Policies and Reports
Back Mission, vision and values
Back Accessibility
  • Beaches
  • Color Blind Scenic Viewers
  • Track Chairs
  • Cabins and Lodges
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hunting
  • Kayak Launches
  • Shooting ranges
  • Trails and Scenic Sites
  • Accessibility Permits
Back Boards and committees
  • Accessibility Advisory Council
  • Belle Isle Park Advisory Committee
  • Board of Foresters
  • Citizens Waterfowl Advisory Committee
  • Fisheries Division Citizens Advisory Committees
  • Forest Management Advisory Committee
  • Natural Resources Commission
  • Natural Resources Trust Fund Board
  • Northern Lake Michigan Islands Collaborative
  • Michigan History Center Commissions & Committees
  • Pigeon River Country Advisory Council
  • Pigeon River Country Equestrian Committee
  • State Parks Advisory Committee
  • Timber and Forest Products Advisory Council
  • Trails Advisory Council
  • Upper Peninsula Citizens' Advisory Councils
  • Upper Peninsula Habitat Workgroup
  • Urban and Community Forestry Council
  • Waterways Commission
  • Michigan Wildlife Council
  • Wolf Management Advisory Council
Back Job opportunities
Back Contact DNR
  • DNR Directory Page
  • Customer Service Centers
Back Funding
Back Get involved
Back Newsroom
  • Ice Storm 2025 Information
  • News Releases
  • Closures
  • Conservation officer bi-weekly reports
  • Showcasing
  • Photos and Videos
Back Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry
Back Policies and Reports
Back Events
        
View Result for:
Department of Natural Resources All Michigan.gov Sites
/dnr/things-to-do/hunting/rulesregs
Back to Department of Natural Resources

outline of the shape of Michigan state in teal color


Search is currently unavailable. Please try again later.

Popular searches

  • Deer harvest reporting
  • Guides and digests
  • Weekly fishing report
  • ORV riding information
  • Inland lake maps
  • Find a state park

How Do I...

  • Buy a fishing or hunting license
  • Download the DNR Hunt Fish mobile app
  • Make a camping or harbor reservation
  • Check hunt drawing results
  • See where fish are being stocked
  • Find out if I can burn today
Unsupported Browser Detected

The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer. 

Supported Browsers
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Firefox
Hunting Rules and Regulations

Hunting rules and regulations

  1. Things to do
  2. Hunting

Regulation summaries

A compilation of three different hunting digest covers

These regulation books (formerly called digests) are condensed collections of rules and regulations. The Wildlife Conservation Order contains full listings of regulations and legal descriptions, including the boundaries of management units for each species during their regular hunting seasons.

Download the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app for quick access to regulation summaries.

Hunting regulation summaries

Harvest reporting

Screenshot of the deer harvest reporting screen in eLicense

Deer hunters are required to report their harvest within 72 hours or before transferring possession of the deer (to another person, a processer or taxidermist).

Hunters must continue to attach a paper kill tag to a harvested deer. The kill tag should remain with the head if the head and body of the deer are separated.

Deer harvest reporting info

Additional rules and regulations

Baiting and feeding

Find current rules for baiting and feeding deer in the upper and lower peninsulas.

Chronic wasting disease

Up-to-date rules and regulations pertaining to chronic wasting disease.

Dog tracking

Information for individuals tracking wounded game with a dog.

Firearms and bows

Statewide handgun regulations, transporting firearms and bows, safety zones around buildings.

Hunter safety / hunter education

Those born on or after Jan. 1, 1960 must complete hunter education prior to purchasing a license.

Local controls

Some counties have special rules (called 'controls') for hunting, such as where rifles may be used.

Permits

Hunting related permits, including permits for hunters with disabilities.

Report poaching

Image of conservations officers with illegally harvested deer.

If you witness a natural resource violation, report it immediately. Call or text: 800-292-7800. Phone lines are open 24/7. You can also use the online poaching complaint form (for complaints within Michigan only). Please note, if you use the form there may be a delay between when your complaint is submitted and when it is received. In urgent cases, please call or text instead.

Report All Poaching

Follow us

Department of Natural Resources Logo
Hunting Rules and Regulations
Copyright State of Michigan
Department of Natural Resources Logo
Sign up for email updates & manage preferences

Submit

Contact us

Please view our directory listing for general contact information. For a full listing of help desk numbers, field offices, and other ways we can help, please visit our contact page.

 

Contact Michigan DNR

We are hiring!

In addition to full time positions, we also hire many seasonal positions including park workers, interpreters, rangers, wildlife workers and more. 

 

Job opportunities

Hot topics

Hot topics
  • Weekly fishing report
  • Deer harvest reporting
  • Fishing Guide/Hunting Digests
  • Hunt Fish mobile app
  • Report poaching
  • Recreational safety classes

Buy and apply

Buy and apply
  • Buy a license
  • Make a reservation
  • Recreation Passport
  • Permission to burn
  • Fuelwood permits
  • MORE BUY & APPLY ►

Doing business

Doing business
  • Permission to use public land
  • Sale of DNR-managed public lands
  • Grant opportunities
  • Minerals (oil & gas, metallic, more)
  • Monthly report of business decisions
  • MORE DOING BUSINESS ►
Copyright 2025 State of Michigan Mi.gov Home Policies Accessibility Disability Resources Statewide FOIA Directory Departments
Tracking Image


Memory used: 1001.84KB of 6MB
Render time: 0.231 sec., Version: 3.5.4